Pak is up a long and deep political creek without a paddle

What is Pakistan’s status and what are India’s options?

- LT GEN P.R. SHANKAR (RETD)

From all accounts just when you thought that Pakistan F has hit the rock bottom, it has found fresh strength to dig deeper. The hole has become so deep that it is becoming increasingly impossible for Pakistan to climb out of it. Where does it go from here? Politically, Pakistan is at its weakest in its history.

There is a weak government with a strident opposition. The Army, which is propping up the government, is itself on a weak political wicket. If the current trendline continues, Pakistan is likely to have a weak opposition with a toxic government headed by Kaptan sahib as and when the elections are held. He will make the situation even worse since he has been the root cause of Pakistan's descent into this deep hole in recent times. When he started his tenure, he was on the same page with the Army. It is quite clear that in future he visualises his page contains the Army. He is not inclined to be on the Army's page. Knowing the Pakistan Army, it will not cut a deal with any political party where it has to play second fiddle. If it has to continue to play the first fiddle, it will have to rig elections to keep the Kaptan decisively out. That will result in a weak government which will have to contend with a combatant Kaptan on a container. There will be no time to tend to Pakistan’s eternal woes. The third political alternative is that the Munirji takes over in classic Pakistan Army style. If that happens, the Kerry-Lugar Bill will ensure that no one helps Pakistan. Overall, Pakistan is up this long and deep political creek without a paddle.