I’m disappointed more then competently disillusioned in those entrusted to defend the security of the nation (from within as well as beyond the nation’s borders) and to not read the situation and rise to the occasion.
I have a unique reason to be disappointed that many may not have recalled. The COAS studied at the Japanese defense university. A country once ruled by samurai, which via the Meiji restoration, saw the samurai lose power and shift to becoming the heads of companies that saw Japan into the process of industrialization. Even when they lost in WW2, the old samurai didn’t give up, but got back up to reindustrialize and become a formidable economy. The current COAS must have learned this history in Japan and seen the benefits of the economic benefit it produced. He could have applied this understanding to Pakistan in its current state.
Having said this, breaking from the status quo is a hard thing to do, but after the SC’s ruling it should be clear to see a creative solution that allows IK back in power, as per the wishes of most of the country, is the only off ramp to the national crisis. I still hold out hope, due to the lack of direct commentary on the matter from the COAS himself, that when the time comes he will allow the will of the people to be heard, for this chapter in the nation’s history to come to a close.
Once back in power, with the economic crisis so severe, IK will be preoccupied in economic stabilization and development and finding ways to pay for social services he and his party have promised. If the reforms work and the elite are seen to support it, it will pay dividends for the “Samurai” of our country sooner rather then later, in wealth and a restoration in national perception, putting the onus of the crisis on Bajwa and his faction.
The whole region is shifting to focusing on economics (Saudi’s vision 2030 and reconciliation with Iran, India’s desire to cash in on its demographic dividend, the Chinese desire to relaunch BRI in a sustainable way), and all traditional allies have become weary to spend their largesse on Pakistan. The time to shift from political instability to a representative government and establishment that can navigate these regional and global trends is now, much like Japan was able to do for most of the last 150 years. I hope my disappointment will end this year.