Pakistan’s military economy: An empire thriving amid national ruin
2 weeks ago

Pakistan’s military economy: An empire thriving amid national ruin

Firstpost  

As Pakistan grapples with staggering inflation, crippling debt, and poverty, the military elite thrives, exacerbating socio-economic instability and fuelling regional unrest Pakistan’s powerful military establishment, through its sprawling economic ventures, has continued to flourish even as the nation faces unprecedented economic collapse. Dubbed ‘Milbus’—or military business—this shadow economy encompasses real estate empires, powerful conglomerates, and offshore wealth, perpetuating inequality and undermining democratic governance. Estimates suggest military entities control nearly 12 per cent of Pakistan’s land, particularly lucrative urban real estate, significantly distorting market dynamics and exacerbating inequality. Land Scams and Real Estate Profiteering The Defence Housing Authority’s real estate ventures exemplify military economic privilege.

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History of this topic

Pakistan's military muscle: Torn by overuse, strained by discord
2 days, 10 hours ago

Pakistan's military muscle: Torn by overuse, strained by discord

Firstpost  

Once the most trusted institution in the nation, the military now struggles with declining morale, internal fractures, and intensifying public backlash The Pakistani military stands at a critical juncture, confronted by the cumulative consequences of decades of strategic overreach and political intervention. Image: REUTERS The Pakistani military, historically considered the bedrock of the nation’s political and social stability—exemplified by its …

Pakistan's 24th IMF bailout: Time for Army to get back to barracks, quit anti-India intrigue
6 months, 1 week ago

Pakistan's 24th IMF bailout: Time for Army to get back to barracks, quit anti-India intrigue

Firstpost  

Since independence, the Pakistan Army has persistently built the narrative that it is the ultimate saviour of Pakistan from the eternal enemy, India. The people fed with this narrative have been willing to accept the Army’s role in the economic and business life of the country The Pakistan government has heaved a collective sigh of relief for the International Monetary …

WORLD AFFAIRS | Can Pakistan’s fragmented mandate pave the way for a national charter of democracy?
1 year ago

WORLD AFFAIRS | Can Pakistan’s fragmented mandate pave the way for a national charter of democracy?

The Hindu  

Published : Mar 08, 2024 17:45 IST - 9 MINS READ A simmering political crisis has continued in Pakistan even after the February 8 national and provincial elections. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s party-backed independent candidates won 93 seats, former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim League won 74 seats, and the Pakistan People’s Party claimed 54. …

Pakistan is out of friends and out of money
1 year, 1 month ago

Pakistan is out of friends and out of money

Hindustan Times  

PAKISTAN’S ELECTION on February 8th featured state-of-the-art avatars and TikTok videos, but the question it poses evokes an old theme. Pakistan’s most popular politician, Imran Khan, a celebrity ex-cricketer turned rabble-rouser, was imprisoned on bogus charges at the army’s behest before the poll, even though he had at one time worked with the generals. China remains Pakistan’s “eternal friend” but …

Pakistan’s Military is Targeting Smugglers and Hoarders
1 year, 5 months ago

Pakistan’s Military is Targeting Smugglers and Hoarders

The Diplomat  

In a surprising turn of events, Pakistan’s currency experienced a significant strengthening against the U.S. dollar in September. This has significant implications for various policy changes, including those related to the State Bank of Pakistan’s efforts to regulate exchange firms and combat the black market in currencies. The State Bank’s attempts to implement stricter regulations and eradicate illicit currency hoarding …

Global Watch | Pakistan’s neo-feudalism: The rise of entitled economic elite in Pakistani military
1 year, 5 months ago

Global Watch | Pakistan’s neo-feudalism: The rise of entitled economic elite in Pakistani military

Firstpost  

The actions of the Pakistani Army have revealed a pervasive culture of corruption, marked by Machiavellian strategies that empowers it to wield excessive influence over the country’s political landscape, which seems to be beyond anyone’s restraint Pakistan is a land of unequals, with a deep divide between the Awam and the rich elites, with a large gap between haves and …

Pakistan army steps in to repair tattered economy, experts say it's likely to fail
1 year, 6 months ago

Pakistan army steps in to repair tattered economy, experts say it's likely to fail

India Today  

In a desperate attempt, Pakistan's military leadership has stepped in to tackle the economic crisis, which is fuelling protests across the Islamic nation. Pakistan's army chief General Asim Munir on Saturday held a series of meetings with 50 prominent businessmen after protests by traders over soaring prices. Asad Sayeed said Pakistan should stop chasing “magic bullets” to fix its economy. …

Pakistan Army and Its Imran Khan Dilemma: No Light at the End of the Tunnel - News18
1 year, 9 months ago

Pakistan Army and Its Imran Khan Dilemma: No Light at the End of the Tunnel - News18

News 18  

The recent agitations in Pakistan were sparked by the arrest of a popular politician, Imran Khan. In recent years, the military has been accused of orchestrating the ouster of two elected Prime Ministers — Nawaz Sharif and Imran Khan — causing widespread resentment among the Pakistani people. According to a 2007 book by Pakistani military scientist Ayesha Siddiqa, the total …

Pakistan is proof that Islamism as State policy kills the economy
2 years, 2 months ago

Pakistan is proof that Islamism as State policy kills the economy

Firstpost  

To claw out of the deep economic ditch, Pakistan needs to scrape off its jihadi DNA and hatred of the other. But as the rich and smart parts of the Islamic world move away from fundamentalism as State policy, Pakistan kept pushing extremism within and across its border through its alliance of three Ms — Military, Mullah, and Mujahideen. Its …

India Must Exploit Pakistan’s Economic Crisis, Not Give in to Prithviraj Chauhan Syndrome
3 years, 3 months ago

India Must Exploit Pakistan’s Economic Crisis, Not Give in to Prithviraj Chauhan Syndrome

News 18  

On July 2, 1999, some two months into the limited war being fought between India and Pakistan on the icy heights in the Kargil sector, a meeting of the Defence Committee of the Cabinet was called in Islamabad. Pakistan’s Economic Mess In India, one of the pet subjects for brainstorming in seminars and conferences is the ‘fault lines of Pakistan’. …

Taliban takes over Kabul, investors worry about the neighbourhood
3 years, 7 months ago

Taliban takes over Kabul, investors worry about the neighbourhood

Al Jazeera  

Investors are worried years of war, waves of refugees will add pressure on neighbouring nations, especially Pakistan. “Another influx of refugees and the spillover of violent groups motivated to destabilise urban areas and infrastructure, particularly, on the western side of Pakistan… could set Pakistan’s recovery and reform story back,” said Hasnain Malik, an analyst at research firm Tellimer. “If the …

Pakistan is Under Military Dictatorship: When Will World See This?
3 years, 9 months ago

Pakistan is Under Military Dictatorship: When Will World See This?

The Quint  

Imran Khan’s lust for the PM’s sherwani has led to an ever more complete military takeover of the country: be it politics, the economy, the media, the public sector enterprises, delivery of justice, or even the senate and the parliament. The speaker and deputy speakers of the National Assembly, as well as Chairman Senate are all parachuters, who take dictation …

The Taliban-US treaty: Will it sound the death knell for Pakistan?
5 years ago

The Taliban-US treaty: Will it sound the death knell for Pakistan?

Op India  

GAS OVER TAKING OIL With the use of natural gas for power generation skyrocketing during last over one decade, the share of energy produced from gas has also significantly increased with gas now comprising about 35% of the fuel mix. The only route which makes both political and economic sense is through Afghanistan.” Perhaps, thus, Afghanistan and Pakistan became central …

Why Pakistan’s economy is sinking
5 years, 8 months ago

Why Pakistan’s economy is sinking

Al Jazeera  

Pakistan’s new budget will not fix the country’s economic woes. This year’s Pakistan Economic Survey, a government-issued report that precedes the annual budget presentation, has painted a dismal picture of the domestic economy. Earlier this month, Khan announced the formation of a new committee called the National Development Council to oversee Pakistan’s economic growth strategy. A few days before the …

The nuclear aspect of Pakistan’s defence spending needs to be watched
6 years, 10 months ago

The nuclear aspect of Pakistan’s defence spending needs to be watched

Hindustan Times  

Pakistan unveiled the largest hike in its defence budget in more than a decade last week, with the outlay for fiscal 2018-19 crossing the Pakistani Rs 1 trillion-mark for the first time. Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff Qamar Javed Bajwa speaks at the 54th Munich Security Conference, February 17 A country’s defence spending is invariably linked to its economic strength …

Donald Trump calls out Pakistan even as security situation improves
7 years, 7 months ago

Donald Trump calls out Pakistan even as security situation improves

Live Mint  

Karachi: When US President Donald Trump accused Pakistan on Monday of continuing to provide a “safe haven to agents of chaos, violence and terror”, it evoked memories of general lawlessness across the country in the years after 9/11 that drove investors from South Asia’s second-largest economy. Mohamed Bashir, a bearded 47-year-old cop and front line veteran of Pakistan’s urban warfare, …

Border clashes with India, Afghanistan seen forcing Pakistan to boost defence spending
7 years, 10 months ago

Border clashes with India, Afghanistan seen forcing Pakistan to boost defence spending

Live Mint  

Islamabad,Karachi: Pakistan’s powerful military will probably push for an increase in defence spending ahead of Friday’s national budget as border clashes with neighbouring India and Afghanistan mount. On Tuesday, India’s military said it hit army posts in the Pakistan-controlled part of Kashmir that it said were providing cover for insurgents planning attacks, a claim that Pakistan’s forces denied. “While the …

Who’s afraid of Pakistan’s military?
10 years, 9 months ago

Who’s afraid of Pakistan’s military?

The Hindu  

The general impression people outside Pakistan have of its military is that it is the most powerful institution there which determines every move by civilian representatives, particularly those who have supposedly been given the permission to be elected to higher office and govern the country. We have not even completed six years of civilian transition, and war on our borders …

God's soldiers: Pakistan army's ideology
13 years, 5 months ago

God's soldiers: Pakistan army's ideology

The Hindu  

In the autumn of 2002, at the end of a murderous 10-month stand-off with India provoked by the Jaish-e-Muhammad's attack on the Parliament House in New Delhi, a small group of mid-level Pakistan army officers set about debating its lessons. “India is highly volatile on its internal front due to numerous vulnerabilities which, if agitated, accordingly could yield results out …

Some sticks yet more carrots for Pakistan
13 years, 10 months ago

Some sticks yet more carrots for Pakistan

The Hindu  

For the United States, Pakistan poses a particularly difficult challenge. According to classified U.S. diplomatic cables released by WikiLeaks, Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari told U.S. Vice President Joe Biden of his fear that the Pakistani military might “take me out.” And the United Arab Emirates' Foreign Minister told U.S. special envoy Richard C. Holbrooke in early 2010 that Mr. …

‘Pak carrying extraordinary military campaign against Taliban’
15 years ago

‘Pak carrying extraordinary military campaign against Taliban’

The Hindu  

America’s top military leaders today told the country’s lawmakers that Pakistan is carrying “extraordinary military campaign” against the Taliban and al-Qaeda, but still it has a long way to go in war against terrorism. “It has really been extraordinary, in my view, seeing what Pakistan has done over the last, really, more than a year, in terms of becoming engaged, …

Changing tune
17 years, 3 months ago

Changing tune

The Hindu  

India is careful not to be perceived as interfering in the internal affairs of Pakistan. A senior Indian official said that Washington would create another democratic facade for the military to continue its rule in Pakistan. At the same time, intelligence communities, in the United States and India, seem to believe that the Pakistan Army has become more radicalised since …

Nuclear foes prepared to shoulder cost of antipathy
22 years, 10 months ago

Nuclear foes prepared to shoulder cost of antipathy

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy With a standing army of …

Pakistan's time of reckoning
23 years, 2 months ago

Pakistan's time of reckoning

The Hindu  

While warning his country of the scope of the crisis it faced in the aftermath of September 11, Musharraf had perhaps realised that the involvement in Afghanistan of Pakistan's Army and intelligence services and also the Islamicists based in Pakistan was too deep for the U.S. to treat the country simply as a long-term ally. With that would disappear not …

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