Street Burn in Rawalpindi

Social injustice does not only effect the life of a common man but also jeopardize national machinery. In this article effects of social injustices have been analysed

• Political Instability.  No stable political system has prevailed in Pakistan. Politics have remained the domain of few selected families of feudal elite. Incompetent and self-centred political leaders politicised the language, ethnic and sectarian issues for their own interests.
• Weak Economy.  A strong economy enhances the power potentials of a nation to face external threat and creates an internal cohesion. The weak and deteriorating economy has following effects:-
  • Increased frustration and discontentment has increased the law and order problems.
  • Unemployed youth is involved in crime and anti state activities.
  • The available resources do not match the population growth; therefore, the resentment is increasing.
• Sectarian Alienation.  The sectarian issues have pervaded a nation body with the virus of discord. This leads to serious security implications for Pakistan’s territorial integrity, internal harmony and social polarisation.
• Lack of Foreign Investment.  Economy of a country, besides other factors is also dependent upon peace and serenity. Ethnic violence in Sindh and Punjab had badly affected the economy of the country as foreign investors are reluctant to invest in Pakistan due to law and order situation.
• Exploitation by Foreign Hand.  A sect, which is oppressed or feels being oppressed can easily fall prey to the enemies of Pakistan. Sabotage activities, selling of state secrets and spying against the state could be a probable outcome.
• Worsening Law and Order Situation.   Social injustice, unemployment and rise of ethnicity have given rise to discontentment, which results into law and order situation.
• Poor International Image.   On one side, social injustices of our society have degenerated our social canvas, while on the other, these have badly eroded the image of Pakistan on international level. Today, Pakistan is not known for its vibrant economy but it does have recognition of a country ranking high in corruption.
• Developmental Slackness.   Rise in militancy, interrupted policies and poor image abroad have led us to a position where whole Government machinery seems to have been taken hostage by a few privileged ones, which has resulted into developmental standstill.

Police Charge Pakistan

Emergence of Divisive Undercurrents

• Religious Extremism. All the sects proclaim to ensure Islam, but a consensus on Islam has not been arrived at, ever after the creation of Pakistan. This led to violence, assassinations, terrorism and hate.

• Language.    This factor has amply been proven in 1971 crisis.
• Promotion of Fissiparous Tendencies
  • Inter-Province Migration.  There is great resentment in Sindh and   Balochistan against the in-migration from Punjab and NWFP and immigration from other countries.  In 1999, the census calculated a net migration to total population ratio of 9.6 percent for Sindh.
  • Demands for Language and Culture.  Demands for the protection and promotion of the languages and cultures of ethnic groups against the domination of Urdu and neglect of regional cultural heritage are a concrete feature in the struggle of ethnic groups for their identity assertion.
• Social Injustices and Threats to the Security of Pakistan
  • Pakhtunistan Threat.  From Mountbatten’s Secret Papers that have just been made public, a fact emerges about the Pakhtunistan issue, “Pathanistan slogan was given to Khan brothers by NWFP Governor Sir Olef Caroe. This was disclosed by the governor himself in a confidential letter to Sir Colville. Infact, the innovative creativity behind this issue was to replace the slogan of “Islam is in Danger”.
  • Greater Balochistan Threat.  Greater Balochistan means union of Iranian and Pakistani Balochistan as an independent state. The genesis of the concept that appears to have originated in Moscow is the strategic importance of the area with its scant population, which is dispersed and very backward and is cruelly dominated by a few Sardars of the area, and vast hidden resources of mineral wealth that it contains.
  • MQM Threat.  This party was created in 1984. Initially MQM emerged as a major political party after the 1988 elections by winning 13 National assembly seats. The MQM became the most powerful regional party. The confrontational attitude of the MQM has resulted into hundreds of casualties and instability in the province.
  • Ideological Threat.  In post September 11 scenario, Islamisation and Islamic Renaissance in Pakistan are a threat to the Hindus, the West and to the ‘progressives” at home. The only way to counter this is to practically demonstrate efficacy of the Islamic ideology with crystal clear concept of Islam.

External Threat

• • Dir External Threat.   Although very remote at present, a direct intervention by country like India cannot be ruled out. Recent experience of more than a year-long escalation coupled with war designs of India is an eye-opener for us.
  • Indirect External Threat.   A scenario of economic strangulation, coercion on diplomatic and media fronts coupled with Low Intensity conflict along with exterior maneuvers is the most likely threat for Pakistan.