Is Pakistan an emerging power in South Asia?

[Sky lord]

Who?

I'll have to find the name, sorry always comes with a thin girl and lots of jewelry. Will find name and post later. D@mn good music though.

 

[Peshwa]

Who?

Think its Arif Lohar...

Also...Zeb and Haniya..those songs Chal Diye and Paimona...amazing!
Angelic voice!

 

[mike2000 is back]

I know.Those darned Chinese ....



When Britain became Great in 1880s as undisputed world power could it feed all it's people? Did it send all it's children to school? When did it abolish child labour? What was the living conditions of the Victorian working class?

SAARC

Nope, even then we had the best living standards in the world. Else we could never have claimed greatness/"power" in the first place. Lol You are comparing the 1800-1900s living standards to that of today? Lool So compared to almost every other country in the world back then. we were very very advanced. Don'0t see how you can even compare the two, with a pakistan/south Asia that is the poorest region in the world by far yet still bragging/trying to claim great power status. Lool. Just making others laugh to be honest.

From article:

"Britain led the industrial revolution and dominated the European and world economy during the 19th century. It was the major innovator in machinery such as steam engines (for pumps, factories, railway locomotives and steamships), textile equipment, and tool-making. It invented the railway system and built much of the equipment used by other nations. As well it was a leader in international and domestic banking, entrepreneurship, and trade. It built a global British Empire. After 1840 it abandoned mercantilism and practised "free trade," with no tariffs or quotas or restrictions. The powerful Royal Navy protected its global holdings, while its legal system provided a system for resolving disputes inexpensively."

In fact Pakistan and South Asia's current per capital income is what Britain had in the 1850s.
Social Democracy for the 21st Century: A Post Keynesian Perspective: UK Real Per Capita GDP 1830–1913


From another article:

"Between 1870 and 1900, economic output per head of population in Britain rose by 500 per cent, generating a significant rise in living standards. However, from the late 19th century onwards Britain experienced a relative economic decline as other nations such as the United States and Germany caught up. In 1870, Britain's output per head was the second highest in the world after Australia(a british colony anyway). By 1914, it was fourth highest."

So pakistan and South Asian countries um general need to get out of this "power" illusions and focus on development/social needs first.

 

[Metanoia]

@Peshwa and @Sky lord check out Tajdar-e-Harram (Coke Studio S08E01).

 

[Sky lord]

@Peshwa and @Sky lord check out Tajdar-e-Harram (Coke Studio S08E01).

Ok , I just checked, yes @Peshwa is right - the name is Arif lohar ...d@mn d@mn d@mn nice man...excuse the French.

And thanks for the tip...will check out the names you suggest...now getting out of here before I get thrown out...

 

[applesauce]

There can be only one power in a region...I think that place has already been taken.

thats stupid. tell us who is the power in western europe?

 

[Raheel Khan_1]

Pros:

1. Pakistan has a large army (but despite this the writ of the central government does not run in all parts of the country)
2. Huge unchecked population growth - ultimately 300 million people cannot be ignored
3. Almost infinite capacity to cause trouble and nuisance around the world - so again cannot be ignored.


Cons: It does badly in all other criteria of power-

Science and technology - non existent other than nuclear weapons
Culture and soft power - non existent, no films, very little dance or art. Some literature and music but nothing major.
Manufacturing/world supply chain - zilch other than textiles which has been moving out to Bangladesh recently due to erratic power supply and terrorism..otherwise cannot manufacture a sharp safety pin and is not part of the world supply chain.


If it wasn't for factor #3 in Pros., the world would have left Pakistan alone to rot in the mess of its own making.

I would point out why Pakistan is on its way to becoming a regional power. Historically speaking Pakistan was way ahead than India in terms of HDI , GDP per capita etc etc. It is only in last 10 years India got ahead by slightest of margins. I would like to Counter your points :

1. Terrorism has almost vanished and due to operation zarb e azb terrorist related activities are at an all time low. Infact the lowest since 2006. As we Speak Taliban are being flushed out from the very last place they hold called shawal valley. So Pakistan has 100 % control over their territory as we speak.

2. Cultural Power
I live in Malaysia and let me tell you Pakistani Music is much more popular here than Indian music. Pakistan has produced music genuises like nusrat , rahat , abida perveen , nazia hassan and bands like junoon , strings which laid the foundation of South asian Pop Music. As of now half of your bollywood movies have Pakistani singers singing for them. Pakistani Cinema has seen a revival and very good movies have been made. Need I tell you the amount of quality dramas that Pakistan is making and they are making huge waves across India. Drama's like zindage gulzar hay and humsafar made viewership records across India and the world. You guys like our drama's so much you dedicated a whole channel to it called zee zindagi.

3. Economy
The Economy has bounced back due to terrorism being at an all time low. CPEC will help the economy. All the indicators point out to a very prosperous 5 years ahead. Technologically Speaking as we speak microsoft is interested in Investing in Pakistan. Almost all the youngest Microsoft certified experts have been from Pakistan. First it was Arfa karim and now it is Ayan Qureshi.

Pakistan has always been a pain in the back for India. Just lets say See the sports head to head contests :

Hockey
Pakistan Won 80
India won 54

Cricket
Pakistan Won 72
India won 51

Pakistan has always punched above its weight when it comes to India.

I see a very prosperous and powerful Pakistan in next 5 years.

 

[gslv mk3]

Historically speaking Pakistan was way ahead than India in terms of HDI , GDP per capita etc etc. It is only in last 10 years India got ahead by slightest of margins.

Slightest - huh ?

The Economy has bounced back due to terrorism being at an all time low. CPEC will help the economy.

And what about economic development in India dear ?

Cultural Power

Sorry,its nowhere near India.

 

[vsdave2302]

In recent years after the end of dictatorship in Pakistan, She is getting a lot of attention from third world and alliances. Latest developments shows Pakistan is getting substantial share in world politics even with long standing rivals excluding India. UN has long ago removed the LOC from disputed territory list but constant push from Pakistan to draw attention towards the so called truce line to world audience has let Obama quoting that the dispute is still there and both countries to work towards it. With long struggling internal social issues, Pakistan is determined to increase its military might and nuclear arsenal by spending almost 40% of it's budget on military due to constant fear from the Indian side.

Recent years and days showed us huge investment, improving relations with neighbors except India, defence tie ups. There is no doubt that Pakistan internal agencies are jeopardizing improving ties between the two enemies which is evident or perhaps non state elements.

The question here arises is that Pakistan emerging has power in South Asia and neighboring regions to challenge India which has long enjoyed the attention except few countries.

Please comment about why you voted against or with it

Please specify in which way Pakistan is emerging. Its GDp is increasing at a lowest rate in SA. In military, Pakistan has done nothing significant.

 

[Raheel Khan_1]

Slightest - huh ?



And what about economic development in India dear ?



Sorry,its nowhere near India.

Since 1960s Pakistan was always ahead. Its a well known fact. Wasn't untill 2005-2006 due to militancy in Pakistan that India went ahead in gdp per capita .

1. IMF 2014 gdp ppp
India $5855
Pakistan $ 4736

World bank 2014 gdp nominal
India $ 1610
Pakistan $1410

If thats not slight then what is? It is a shame for India, Pakistan despite stuck in 2008-2013 terrorism Cycle is still not far behind.

Pakistan still ahead in other important factors:

World bank poverty line at $1.25 per day
Pakistan 12.7 % of population
India 23.7 % of population

World happiness report 2015 (quality of life and other indicators)

Pakistan at 81 ahead of countries like portugal and china. India at 117 below bangladesh.

2. Pakistan will develop the most in next 5 years as terrorism is about to go and all the tribal belt is under Pakistan army control. A country which wasnt much behind during its worst security period , is pretty much going to give India a tough time when next 5 are going to be terror free.

3. Really?Bollywoods current music scene is dominated by Pakistani singers. People in India watch more Pakistani dramas than indian dramas. Hows that for a cultural scene?.

 

[aakash_2410]

thats stupid. tell us who is the power in western europe?

Not a good comparison. UK, France and Germany are all of similar sizes and population. A good comparison with western Europe would be Middle East where Turkey, SA and Iran have similar influence and clout.

But, South Asia is more comparable to Northern America and East Asia where there is clearly a bigger state with dominating influence and clout.

 

[gslv mk3]

1. IMF 2014 gdp ppp
India $5855
Pakistan $ 4736

World bank 2014 gdp nominal
India $ 1610
Pakistan $1410

Per capita income
India ~ $1700
Pakistan ~ $1400

You call that a slight difference ?

Now compare GDP growth rate

India - 7.3%
Pakistan - 4.24%

& population growth rate

India - 1.2%
Pakistan - 1.95 %

Now predict what happens !! BTW Reason for our improvement since the 2000s was the result of liberalization in the 1990s !!

World happiness report 2015 (quality of life and other indicators)

Compare HDI of both countries.

2. Pakistan will develop the most in next 5 years as terrorism is about to go and all the tribal belt is under Pakistan army control. A country which wasnt much behind during its worst security period , is pretty much going to give India a tough time when next 5 are going to be terror free.

Its not like we are are going to just sit and wait for you to catch up.We are already growing at a good pace,we just need to keep our pace

MAKE IN INDIA

Delhi - Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC)

3. Really?Bollywoods current music scene is dominated by Pakistani singers

You mean Atif Aslam ?

 

[Patriotic Strategist]

but endian call theirself a world superpower :v

 

[The BrOkEn HeArT]

This is an idiotic question I have ever heard. First Pakistan has to emerge internally. Don't even think about to become regional power when an emerging global power is already there. It will take a lot from you if you even think about it.

 

[Srinivas]

India is the emerging power in South Asia and Pakistan is an emerging counter power.

There is no country which is similar or opposite to India.

Counter power term is an absurd.

There are countries and then there are strategic interests associated with them.

Just because Pakistan is used to contain India on international forums do not mean both the countries are exactly opposite to each other.

Indian Subcontinent is dominated by India .. Period.