--- Economic, social, political impact on Pakistan
Majyd Aziz
The exodus of Russians from Afghanistan, the megalomania of Iraq’s Saddam, the spread of Islam in the West, the domestic and external pressure on the American economy, the 9/11 historical event, and the voluminous studies of latter-day Dr Strangelove’s clones nurtured and financed by massively-funded American think tanks were all contributing factors in a series of initiatives undertaken by Washington that came to be known as the Global War On Terror.
The rise of neo-Christian fundamentalists to counter the upsurge in militant Islamic forces gave strong support to the hype created by President Bush advisors and analysts that Saddam possessed weapons of mass destruction and enabled him to put in motion the grand plan to globally spread American influence.
Pakistan got caught in this tornado for some understandable reasons. The only Islamic nation possessing the bomb, bordering Afghanistan, controlling supply lines to Kabul, with ethnic and religious camaraderie transcending the border, largely dependant on Washington-controlled financing agencies, with a ballooning population under 25 years old that may be swayed by extremist elements, and the docility of it’s political and military leadership to United States’ dictation. Thus the loud threat of “you with us or you against us” worked pronto and Pakistan was touted as the frontline state in GWOT.
The decade of this GWOT has made Pakistan front-page news day in and day out. Every week some American high-up or some Congressional delegation comes to Islamabad and, while breathing down the neck of the political and military leadership, proclaims the mantra of “Do More”. This has put Pakistan in a precarious position and its impact has been widespread all across the country.
Over this eventful and volatile decade, Pakistan has faced situations that have fundamentally changed its political, economic, and