What's Next for Pakistan, Post-Election?

For many months, Pakistan has been embroiled in multiple major crises. These include severe economic stress, a resurgence in terrorism, growing border tensions, and serious political instability. The country is going through one of its most difficult periods in years, raising the stakes for its February 8 election—one that many observers have criticized for lacking a level playing field—and creating immense challenges for Pakistan’s next government.

This online event will bring together a panel of current and former Wilson Center fellows to discuss the election outcome and what it might mean for Pakistan’s politics, society, economy, security, and foreign affairs, including relations with the United States.

[manojchowdhary]

Pakistanis are the most tolerant people in the world.

Usually I hear Hindu baniya, Hindu Kaffir, Ghazwa-e-hind, lal qile par jhanda phrases on Pakistani discussions. These are all phrases of love and tolerance.

Also see how Pakistanis have treated Hindus, bengalis, Shias, Balochs, Pashtuns, Sikhs, Parsis, Jews, Christians, Ahmadis, and now Afghans. No one will call Pakistanis intolerant.

[realmonis]

This talk is the perfect example of intellectuals living in an alternative world with their own objectives and agendas.

[masterstroke]

If calling a country full of terrorist, is demeaning to the host than so be it.
Ultimately truth prevails.

[ramachandrankannan]

Like most analysis of Pakistan, the video ignores the reality of Pakistan. Pakistan was created by the British as a reward to those who opposed Indian independence. As a result, Pakistan was always intended to be a nation dependent on foreign aid. Pakistan first needs to become an independent nation with its leaders looking for national interests. Today, the battle is between the West, Arabs and China and Pakistan is merely the battlefield.

[parag-xusp]

lodhi is the same person who showed picture of syrian girl in un as kashmiri girl,

[paddysubramaniam]

Having 4 pakistanis who have been fellows of an US think tank reminded me of the US giving scholarships to Pakistani army officers at NDU ...so they have hooks in pakistan to pursue US interests 😄😄

[aanakrukavi]

Pakistan is Kela Republic of Indian Subcontinent.
Pakistani Muslims say they fear only Allah but shit scared of Pak Army. Why this hypocricy?

[reshamar]

The discourse by the panel lacks intellectual depth and honesty.
Maleeha takes the cake - 1. she talks about the need of Pakistan to find the white space in their relationship? We all know that. Was hoping with her experience, she would elaborate on the white space and not just skim it. 2. She uses the phrase - “ it takes two to tango” and Pakistan cannot 1:30:43 do it all by itself. How convenient? The nation has entangled itself in opportunistic politics, poor governance and a very primitive political and diplomatic core. God save.

[ravikumar]

Isn’t the lady with spectacles, the one who used fake photos in the UN? 😂

[SJ]

Pakistan politics is more entertaining then Netflix 😂

[gbhatia]

Karma took its toll on the US & its western allies and now it is Pakistan's turn.
At the time of independence, Pakistan officially constituted provinces of E. Bengal, Sindh & W. Punjab only. Frontier Province belonged to Afghanistan but Britain cleverly merged it with Pakistan via sham referendum in July1947 as Peshawar military base was promised to the West by Pakistan for use against Communist USSR.
British Army Major Brown then organized mutiny in Gilgit garrison to prize away this frontline region from India. The aim was to prevent Indian Ocean access to Communist USSR. Baluchistan became independent country on 11th August, 1947 but was annexed by Pakistan on 27th March, 1948 and the US & UK kept quiet as Pakistan was serving Western interests.

In queer twist of Karma, Baluchistan based Quetta Shura & Frontier based Peshawar Shura were used by Pakistan to inflict heavy casualties, hand over defeat & ignominious Afghan-exit to the US, UK & their Western allies while Pakistan gave Indian Ocean access (CPEC) to Communist China through illegally occupied territories of Gilgit, Frontier & Baluchistan.
Pakistani Generals also extracted billions of dollars from the West using double games against US & Taliban. Wily generals gave secret drone bases to US to kill Taliban & secretly armed Taliban to kill infidel Americans & enjoyed continuous flow of US dollars by prolonging the Afghan War.
Before that, after Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan in 1989, instead of demobilizing & rehabilitating Mujahideen as per Geneva Agreement, Punjabi Generals used Mujahideen as Taliban to annex Afghanistan as 5th province of Pakistan.

Taliban finally understood double games. Emboldened by defeating NATO forces, Taliban now want to reclaim Frontier (KP) Province & have joined Baluch nationalist forces to liberate Baluch & Pashtun lands from Punjabi yoke. After Karma’s heavy toll on the US, Karma will finally catch up with Pakistan. Pro-Taliban Imran Khan's imprisonment & massive rigging to overturn peoples pro Imran mandate will expedite Karma’s revenge. Aim of reclaiming Pashtun land will unite all factions within Afghanistan.

[khyatikothari]

Panelist’s worried about Stable Afghanistan and economy prospects … Afghanistan would have stabled if Pakistan had not meddled in the internal affairs of Afghanistan. Pakistan is paying the price of the misdeeds did with its neighbours in last few decades 😂😂😂😂😂

[dodiraj]

8:15 Large turn out? Seriously? It was less than 48% which was lower than in 2018 which was lower than in 2013

[somnathde]

Irony is Army promoting investment climates in Pakistan.🤔

[quddusquddus]

"Huge election turn out." "Democratic process." Economy in a critical ward." "Political parties." What is not touched upon is the elephant in the room. It's the conspicuous presence of the Pakistan army state---a state within a state. The presence is simply too obvious to be talked about. So all discussion takes place in abstract. No sane person is expected to join the madhouse. A burly peasant from Punjab walks away as a billionaire army chief is not a subject of discussion. He introduced IM the DIM---a puppet prime minister. The DIM, while evoking the state of Mecca and Medina, further wrecked an already shattered economy. Economy is not in a critical ward as the guest suggested. It's dead. A fitting portrait of Islam. A fitting justice in the affairs of men.

[mns]

The Paks is primarily another CIA outpost close to Russia and China. Being a country is happenstance.

[vijayragh]

Maleeha Lodhi is she the same lady who shared fake photos in UN on Kashmir situation.

[NumberWorld]

*40:38** Guy is reading from some paper/screen, all words/sentences are bookish. why can't he express his own thoughts, Pakistanis Why you do this everywhere ??*

[sant.]

What is this? Essay writing competition?

[aanakrukavi]

It was funny how Micheal pronounced "Lodhi". Behin ki was ringing in my mind.