Shift in balance of power- a matter of time

So, is there hope amid this chaos? Yes, there is hope and hope is the fuel of life. We may continue to go in circles, but there is only one problem in this country that is imbalance of power, or should we say concentration of power into ruling elite. The way things unfolded in past year or so, has completely transformed the political milieu of Pakistan. Using establishment pawns to topple the government was an accepted norm in our political culture for the past 65 years, particularly during 90s. But the fatal miscalculation by the orchestrators of regime change was that they didn’t take the power and impact of social media on politics. Nothing would’ve happened if people didn’t come out in support of Imran Khan and against the regime change. But unlike past, people had become aware and they did come out which changed the political landscape of Pakistan forever

International establishment has a role and say in whatever is happening in Pakistan. Recent truce brokered by China between KSA and Iran is quite significant development. A step in the right direction to form Russian Block in South East Asia. However, this block poses a serious challenge to US interests in the region. US may have strong bilateral strategic and economic relations with India, but US cannot/ does not control India the way it can/ does control Pakistan. Pakistan for US is very easy to control because they have to invest only in select few or should we say power elite which includes establishment, deep pocket businessmen, politicians and judiciary. US dearly needs Pakistan to keep its signature in the region, particularly keeping a check on China, Taliban and Russia. US is doing its best to exercise control through the largest embassy in Southeast Asia in diplomatic enclave Islamabad and presence of its officials across Pakistan who are monitoring, meeting and issuing instructions to the power elite on regular basis. Also looking at the regional power matrix Pakistan’s natural alliance is with China and upcoming Russian Block but somehow US has been able to maintain a fair control through its loyal elite in Pakistan. Good news is that this model is not sustainable. With shift in balance of power in Pakistan, this alignment will change and that is our real hope. 

Coming back to the domestic scene. Establishment miscalculated the power of social media. The level of awareness is staggering. After successful regime change, one would’ve thought that it will be routine as usual, but the people spoke. They vehemently rejected their right of choice to elect the party/ leader they preferred as opposed to what establishment deemed fit for them. So the struggle to balance the imbalance of power in Pakistan continues against bossy establishment, few businessman, corrupt politicians  and compromised judiciary. This movement might have started by Imran Khan for being ousted from power, but now people are convinced that they need to assert their basic right of deciding the fate of this country. It has turned into a movement based on principle, it is only a matter of time that the balance of powers will shift from nexus of power elite to the people. So despite the blessings of US, existing domestic power matrix is also not sustainable, and that is the real hope for us.

We shall see this shift of power sooner than later because people have already given sacrifices and are ready for more. It’s a matter of time.