Pakistan is undergoing the most critical period of its history, confronting existential threats. Extremism and militancy have plagued the society , anti federation sentiments are increasing amongst small provinces , especially in Baluchistan and its slipping away from the centre.Internationally we known as a nation who has germinated and exported terrorism accross the globe.Our military is labeled as rouge army.Our neighbors Afhganistan, Iran, and india are not happy with us. And if one can see beyond rhetorics and emotions, china is not going to support us as we expect.

Whats is the way to face these challenges and start a journey as a respectable and sovereign nation? In my opinion some of the following steps can extirpate us out of the quagmire.

1-The Govt at Centre must be reconstituted giving representation to all political forces in proportion to their strength in Parliament.

2- Our policy on war against terrorism must be presented in parliament for extensive debate.After approval from the parliament , the terms should be revisited.
3-In light of parliamentary approval, Pakistan should convey the international community , about its concerns regarding sovereignty.

4-Current military leadership must be replaced and indicted for its transgressions and failures.

5-ISI must be subjected to civilian control.

6-After parliamentary approval , all the disputes with India must be settled.

7-We should enter into NO-War agreement with India.

8-International community must be assured that this country will be run by elected representatives and military leadership will work under it.

9-A war on terror council must be established by parliament , with the members from Parliament, Judges and former military personnels. This committie should be authorised to oversee all the matters regrding the war , approve budgets , direct operations and measure performance of military command.International community must be realised that a high powered civilian body is overseening the war activities with due authiriity and responsibility.All aid in respect of war must be given in its control.Besides, defence budget should be cut short and a separate head in the name of war on terror may be created.All international aid must be channeled through this.

The baseline is that our civilian leadership must be authorizes to take strategic decision in respect of security, foreign policy and other important issues of national concern instead of taking dictation from GHQ.Once we make realise the world, our say would have moral back.

@ Saleeqa

Your post greatly depicts your sincere concerns about the country, especially the thought of bringing the military under people's (parliament's) control however tell you sis, this is never going to turn into real for the present day geographical Pakistan as our military is sadly far more powerful than the parliament, which would never accept the very idea of being steered by the elective people for they think they're the only perfect breed of the country. Anyways it still is worth appreciating to have priceless brains like you.

very well said dear but you know our present elite politicians are not sincere with their nation. They are using parliament as a rubber stamp to fulfill their personal interests. Even parliamentarians do not think for a moment for the work they were chosen for. They always look for ministries. This is the way business of our country is being run. The way out is to get rid of this bloody leadership. We need sincere and new leaders to run our country..

I am of the same mind as long as the state of country you have narrated in this piece of writing. But, frankly speaking, some of your recommendations may be termed as day dreaming.

1. Placing ISI under civilian Government.

No Government is competent enough to carry out this almost unattainable task because they seriously lack political and constitutional skills. Current Government tried and even issued a notification, but had to countermand it the same evening. It appears as they tried to fence in a monkey in bird’s cage. Today, our nation is not only plagued by what you stated, but also by the corruption, nepotism, inefficient leadership, exploitation of national exchequer by avaricious echelons and lack of will to find a course of action against all odds. Placing ISI under civilian government would mean a colossal loss to this institution as well.

2. Revisiting terms to wrestle war against terrorism

So far as an extensive debate over counter-strategy for war against terrorism is concerned, it must be carried out in parliament with all driving forces in picture, but there remains a slightest chance of coming to an agreeable course of policy because our government is significantly dictated by the US. Today’s visit of Hillary Clinton is epiphany of another dictation.

3. Concerns regarding sovereignty

I would not make any comments on this point, but would direct you to May 2, operation Geronimo and then to (ironically) swift response of our government machinery Is this how a nation protects its sovereignty?

Leaving all other variance of opinion on other recommendations, I would come to differ at your baseline. How far is our civilian government competent to take strategic and security decisions? Do they have decision power? Could you please name some of the effective and practicable policies formulated by parliament or concerned ministries to eradicate socio-economic evils even?

Regards

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"The calmer I appear, the more dangerous I am."

Good suggestions by poster atleast theoratically.
For example referring to point 4 above regarding replacement of Military top brass for its failures and transgression of its mandate, i would say in a country like Pakistan it is quite impossible. Nawaz Shareef had tried this option after the fiasco of Kargill and everybody knows the result.
Unless our civil institutions and their leaderships are strong enough, we can only day-dream in this regard.

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/// Aur be ghum hain zamanay main muhabat kay siwa ///

Saleeqa you have pointed out rightly, what problems as a nation we are facing at the moment. Suggestions too are very good if acted upon but the problem we are facing is that who is going to act upon and implement these? The answer of this is a big NO ONE for the time being. Our politicians on whom you are banking upon are not sincere enough to do this much at all. We as a nation are facing a deficiency of sincere people everywhere and I do not see anyone in the near future who will end our difficulties. Until and unless we do not develop a good system of check and balance on our institutions we can't expect any good thing.

Regards,

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It's lack of faith that makes people afraid of meeting challenges, and I believe in myself!!!!

Although you want the best for this country, but the above plan has severe shortcomings. Please understand the difference between "want" and "is". You may want everything to work smoothly as delineated above, but it is impossible to materialize given the present situation.
The above plan for the most part, takes political will for granted. The Parliament had the opportunity to revise the War on Terror policy after May 2. It did not do so. You want extensive debate from them, but you have to meet these ‘representatives’ in order to understand their caliber- which stops short at choosing the right race horses or cockerel fights. None of the above is an exaggeration. There are very few reps in the Parliament whom can be trusted with at least a good debate if not the will to implement it. I can count them on one hand, literally. Secondly, everything from Wikileaks to the Sun itself are barking out the partisanship of these reps to US policy in Pakistan. They are bought out in numerous favors, and dare not challenge the Americans. So what are you expecting out of the Parliament? The military, in the aftermath of Mehran Base attack is conducting raids, arrests, a lot of intel gathering, refortifying military bases, and more. They are a better option any day.
Then about conveying to the world community about our sovereignty, my question is, what about it? United nations do that. They cover up their mess to put up a united front to the world. Here, in the name of freedom of speech, every Jack and Jill is busy in an unholy and ill-informed criticism of our own institutions. All because they saw Asma Jehangir do it. When a couple fights inside their house, sooner or later they can patch their differences up. But when they take dirty laundry all the way to the city square, they can kiss goodbye to any hope because 10 people will be ready to play the devil and break them apart.
I agree with the part where you said current military leadership, working anti to Pakistan should be eliminated. In my view there are some 6-8 top generals who are responsible. The problem is, in the absence of civilian discipline, this wont be done. However there may be a way out if the lower ranks of the military, along with honest generals take to this task. And again, that wont be too constitutional.
ISI should not be given to a civilian control that has its own vested interests and will readily buy and sell the little of integrity that is remaining. The Americans will only have to offer the Interior Minister, PM, President, interior Secretaries property and major shares in corporations abroad to buy their loyalty off. Trust me, it doesn’t take much for them. Once its put under Interior ministry, then its international policy becomes redundant or minimal automatically. ISI under a civilian control is exactly what the Americans want, to defang us and is resonated through media. The soldiers working for the institution are like Lt. Yasir Abbas. Willing to die for the cause. Which Parliamentarian has ever done that? I only remember ZA Bhutto doing that. But then its not everyday they produce people like him.
How will you solve disputes with India? They want nothing short of whole Kashmir. They are busy sabotaging your interests by building dams and aligning with the Afghan govt and US. They are behind attacks like the Mehran base one. The terrorists destroyed only Orions used for reconnaissance at territorial waters- out of many other choppers, aircrafts and equipment that they crossed untouched. The only threat we have from our waters is India. So the attack’s direct beneficiary is ONLY India. In my vew, diplomacy has failed here. You know whats inevitable next. How can we enter into a No-war pact with India? Pakistan has been willing to sign the NPT if India signs as well. India refuses to. It doesn’t care whether we sign it or not. Even if both countries ever agree to a No-war pact, the terms will be conjured to bring about an easy breach on an excuse.
Lastly, you want direct control of war budget to the Parliament. The same parliament that eats out of Constituency grants allotted to them which are in no way comparable to a huge war budget?

Is this a call for another martial law or you are pleading for midterm election. I mean what would be the procedure to reconstitute federal government?

And as far as "giving representation to all political forces in proportion to their strength in Parliament" is concerned; in such a situation, 50% assembly members will have to be appointed as ministers otherwise national policy tou aik taraf, aisi Parliament budget paas kar day tou bari baat ho gi. Dua karain next election main koi party two third majority lay lay nahi tou yeah politician wazarto pay hi lartay rahain gay.

In my view, the biggest problems that Pakistan is facing today will not be solved by subjecting ISI or army to civilian control. One need not have Newton's brilliance to find out the weak link among army, judiciary, beaurocracy, and politicians. Anyways, the essence of your post is a deep concern for your country that shows that you are a real patriot.

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He who has a why to live can bear almost any how.

Your thoughts are sincere but ...

1:In Pakistan ,giving representation to all parties means giving them the portfolio of the ministries with they are demanding..And they can never think beyond this Point..Politicians can even agree to the term that "Give us the portfolios we demanded and we will promise not to say a word in parliament"

Ans 2:Our war on Terror policy must be represented in the parliament for debate but if We have JUI-F in parliament then there is no way that they will allow any harsh measures against Taliban and Other terrorist factions.

3: Right

4:And who is going to indict our notorious military leadership???This is not India where a 3-star general can be indicted for corruption..here you can't even punish a SOBIDAR or a driver or ISI..

5:Current Govt tried it once..If any govt ever tried to excise this option then ISI will support the opposition and the govt. will be toplped..i am sure our opposition parties won't hesitate to say"G Sir"..Rallies in support of ISI and Army these days can explain what i am trying to say..

6:True..But if all disputes with India is solved..Then what will be our Army's role..how they will manage their share of the budget??

7:True..

8:True.Representatives elected by Common man..not U.S and ISI..

9:True

Dear Saleeqa I respect your views and you have stated almost the real facts but I want to say some thing on your suggestion no.5 that ISI should be in civillian control. I think that ISI is a pure military organization and its control can not be given to civilian administration. There are different civilian intelligence or investigation agencies like IB, FIA, CIA, CID, Police(Special Branch). ISI is Pakistan's premium intelligence organization which comprise of military personnel as well as civilian personnel too. Our civilian administration should tell the nation that what is the performance of civilian administrated intelligence or investigation agencies and the results would be unsatisfied.

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A successful person is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks that other throw at him. (David Brinkley)