Pakistan is set to enter another year surrounded by deep-rooted challenges over its medium- to long-term future. The prospect of another political transition, with elections planned in February, is set to cause much noise -- but without substance.
Ahead of the transition, rival political contenders for now are focused more on the race to seize power, without a clear plan for reforming the country. With all but one of the mainstream parties – the PTI – poised to grab power either by one or a more likely coalition to reach the magic number, the future of Pakistan is set to remain mired in continuing challenges.
The outcome beyond the elections is rooted in the character of Pakistan’s sorry politics. For long, a successive set of rulers have remained detached from the mounting issues surrounding the country’s mainstream inhabitants. With that much blemished history, it is hardly surprising that Pakistan is witnessing one of the worst economic challenges in its history, while the country's political rivals are just obsessed with grabbing power.
To date, the main political rivals have repeatedly promised a more prosperous future though without clearly articulating exactly how that will be achieved. And judging by their past, the main political rivals have little to offer by way of........