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The Decade of the Pakistani Military: From a Status Quo Power to an Agent of Change

04:35 PM | 14 Jan, 2019
The Decade of the Pakistani Military: From a Status Quo Power to an Agent of Change
The Pakistani military is the star of 2018. The year capped a decade that saw the military transform itself from a guardian of the status quo to an agent of change.

It has just overseen the third uninterrupted transfer of power from one elected government to the next since the military returned to barracks in 2008.

More important is how Pakistan’s most powerful institution submitted to the popular demand of Pakistani voters for change and end to status quo. And it did so by supporting stability and accountability for corruption. This is the biggest story of the decade that is lost in the noise of everyday chaotic Pakistani politics and media. Pakistan has crossed a line. It is poised today for rapid rise and a return to the dynamic, open and cosmopolitan country that it used to be a little over forty years ago.

There is a tendency among commentators and analysts to underestimate or outrightly ignore the scope of change underway in Pakistan. This oversight leads to another error of judgment: to properly understand what Pakistan will look like in a few years if this pace of change is nourished and sustained.

During the last days of 2018, General Qamar Bajwa, Chief of Army Staff, spelled it out in no uncertain words: “We want you to emerge from a security perspective to a development perspective; therefore, join hands to take Pakistan forward.” He was addressing cadets at Pakistan Naval Academy in Karachi.

But these gains are not locked. And it is not enough for the government and the military to be on the same page. Unless the country is united, fault lines contained, corruption eliminated and rule of law established, there is a chance Pakistan could relapse. An open society and economy, and multiple strong institutions, is the way forward.

SUCCESSES


The military ended three decades of close working relationships with politicians like Nawaz Sharif, who were groomed in the eighties and nineties. This has opened the door to the biggest upset in Pakistani politics in half-century. This upset has brought to power a sports celebrity. This upset has also allowed Pakistanis to elect individuals that are not obnoxiously rich or backed by ethnic, religious, linguistic, sectarian, feudal or tribal politics (a young middle-class social activist, Zartaj Gul Wazir, from the Pashtun belt, defeated entrenched tribal and religious groups, with backing from young voters and women).

Today, a retired general from Pakistan Army is engaging the militaries of 41 nations to create a regional security umbrella, one of a series of foreign policy changes that embrace Pakistan’s international role. China pumps billions into a Pakistan-centered regional connectivity project, while allies like Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Azerbaijan and Malaysia want to help Islamabad overcome economic troubles.

Pakistani military is also contributing to social change. The Army chief openly attends a Christmas ceremony at the Church of Christ. The military has defeated religious and separatist insurgencies on the western borders, busted foreign terror and spy networks, and is working again with United States on a win-win in Afghanistan.

UNCERTAINTY


Uncertainty in Pakistan stems from sharply divided and bitter politics, and an economy not fully optimized and integrated with the global economy.

But the biggest source of instability in Pakistan is the destructive style of politics. Corruption-tainted politicians are pumping money to destabilize the country and fan uncertainty.

The Charter of Democracy, signed by old-school Pakistani politicians in Britain in 2006 was a pact that solemnized epic corruption in Pakistan; legalized 40 years of massive mismanagement, graft, and incompetence benefiting powerful political families in PMLN and PPP, the two political parties that have alternated in power since 1990.

These parties have broken their own records. The epic corruption of 2008-2018 is bigger and more sophisticated than anything seen before.

The historic corruption cases against powerful politicians in 2017 and 2018 mark a positive change, reassure investors, and restore Pakistan’s image internationally. In retaliation, tainted politicians point the finger at businesses owned and run by the military and the housing societies linked to it. These are legal businesses that generate revenue that supplements social welfare for families of military veterans. But here is the catch: when you act against political corruption, you preempt corruption in civil and military bureaucracies, which otherwise thrives through political patronage.

In short, when you act against political corruption, you make it difficult for civilian and military bureaucracies to get away with any corruption within those institutions.

Pakistani military has understood that political corruption can lead to decay and stagnation in the military. By acting against political corruption, the State is protecting our civilian and military bureaucracies from corruption.

18TH AMENDMENT


Pakistan needs a strong federal government. But equally needed is a strong system of local governments transferring power from provincial governments to cities, towns and villages.

An excellent key point against the 18th Amendment is that it devolves power to the provinces, but the provinces refuse to devolve power to ordinary Pakistani citizens. This happens because political parties refuse to share power with ordinary Pakistanis and want to concentrate power in the hands of the rich and powerful. This way, democracy in Pakistan is destroyed at the roots.

The spirit of the Constitution of Pakistan rests on two key principles: strengthening the State and serving the people. The 18th Amendment fails in both because political parties in the provinces won’t devolve power. Hence, the state is being weakened and citizens are not getting their rights and services.

This is how the 18th Amendment becomes a problem, not a solution. Structural changes in the federation, including local governments, parliamentary vs. presidential system, multiple federating units, and reorganizing the civil service, are things that should be explored.

OPENING UP


China and India are success stories today for many reasons but the strongest is that they opened their society and economy and embraced the world after the end of the Cold War in 1991. Pakistan did the opposite. We helped the world win the Cold War. Pakistanis, Americans and the Free World partnered to defeat the Evil Empire. But, just as everyone in the world braced to exploit unprecedented global connectivity and opportunities, Pakistan retreated inwards, into political instability and global oblivion.

Opportunity knocks again and there is consensus in Pakistan’s power corridors that it is time to deal with the region and the world with confidence and optimize relationships, interests and opportunities.

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Pakistani rupee exchange rate to US dollar, Euro, Pound, Dirham, and Riyal - 9 Dec 2023

Pakistani rupee remains largely stable against the US dollar, and other currencies in the open market on Saturday.

Dollar Rate in Pakistan Today

On Saturday, the US dollar was being quoted at 283.4 for buying and 285.95 for selling.

Euro comes down to 307 for buying and 310 for selling. British Pound rate remains unchanged at 358.5 for buying, and 362 for selling.

UAE Dirham AED witnessed slight drop and new rate stands at 77.2 whereas the Saudi Riyal remained stable at 76.

Source: Forex Association of Pakistan. (last update 09:00 AM)

Currency Symbol Buying Selling
US Dollar USD 283.4 285.95
Euro EUR 307 307
UK Pound Sterling GBP 358.5 362
U.A.E Dirham AED 77.2 78
Saudi Riyal SAR 76 76.8
Australian Dollar AUD 187.2 189
Bahrain Dinar BHD 755.82 763.82
Canadian Dollar CAD 209 211
China Yuan CNY 39.82 40.22
Danish Krone DKK 41.14 41.54
Hong Kong Dollar HKD 36.37 36.72
Japanese Yen JPY 3.41 3.52
Kuwaiti Dinar KWD 922.14 931.14
Malaysian Ringgit MYR 60.82 61.42
New Zealand Dollar NZD 175.33 177.33
Norwegians Krone NOK 26.12 26.42
Omani Riyal OMR 738.71 746.71
Qatari Riyal QAR 78.07 78.77
Singapore Dollar SGD 211 213
Swedish Korona SEK 27.32 27.62
Swiss Franc CHF 324.5 327
Thai Bhat THB 8.08 8.23

Gold remains under pressure in Pakistan; Check today gold rates here

Gold prices witnessed negative trend in local markets in line with the trend in the international market.

Gold Rates in Pakistan Today - 9 December 2023

On Saturday, the price of a single tola of 24-karat gold stands at Rs217,600, and 10 grams of 24k gold costs Rs186,560.

Single tola of 22 Karat Gold price costs Rs199,465, 21 karat rate per tola costs Rs190, 400 and 18k gold rate is Rs163,200.00 for each tola.

In the global market, gold prices hovers around $2,004 per ounce, after drop of $23.35 on Saturday.

Today Gold Rate in Pakistan

City Gold Silver
Lahore PKR 217,600 PKR 2,530
Karachi PKR 217,600 PKR 2,530
Islamabad PKR 217,600 PKR 2,530
Peshawar PKR 217,600 PKR 2,530
Quetta PKR 217,600 PKR 2,530
Sialkot PKR 217,600 PKR 2,530
Attock PKR 217,600 PKR 2,530
Gujranwala PKR 217,600 PKR 2,530
Jehlum PKR 217,600 PKR 2,530
Multan PKR 217,600 PKR 2,530
Bahawalpur PKR 217,600 PKR 2,530
Gujrat PKR 217,600 PKR 2,530
Nawabshah PKR 217,600 PKR 2,530
Chakwal PKR 217,600 PKR 2,530
Hyderabad PKR 217,600 PKR 2,530
Nowshehra PKR 217,600 PKR 2,530
Sargodha PKR 217,600 PKR 2,530
Faisalabad PKR 217,600 PKR 2,530
Mirpur PKR 217,600 PKR 2,530

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