Pakistan is grappling with several pressing issues, including ongoing economic difficulties and struggles in various sectors. Efforts to influence the situation in Afghanistan have led to escalating violence and heightened tensions. Moreover, ethnic fault lines within Pakistan are becoming more pronounced, further complicating the country’s internal dynamics.
To better understand “Pakistan’s Future Under the New Dispensation,” India Foundation and India Habitat Centre co-organized a panel discussion on April 23, 2024, at the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi. The event brought together distinguished experts to discuss the significant challenges facing Pakistan’s new ruling dispensation.
The panel comprised Mr. Sushant Sareen, Senior Fellow, Observer Research Foundation, Dr. Shalini Chawla, Distinguished Fellow, Centre for Air Power Studies, Mr. Ajay Bisaria, Former Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan and Distinguished Fellow, Observer Research Foundation, Lt. Gen. Syed Ata Hasnain, Member, National Disaster Management, Dr. Tara Kartha, Director of Research and Academics, Centre for Land Warfare Studies and Dr. Ashok Behuria, Senior Fellow and Coordinator, South Asia Centre, Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses. Capt. Alok Bansal, Director, India Foundation, moderated the panel discussions.
The panellists engaged in a robust discussion on Pakistan’s challenges and potential opportunities for the future. They explored how the current leadership could navigate economic struggles, internal tensions, and external pressures. The panel also considered the implications for India and the broader region, highlighting the importance of regional stability and security.
They provided a comprehensive overview of Pakistan’s political environment, focusing on the interface between various institutions such as the army, judiciary, and government. As the discussion progressed, Pakistan’s economic circumstances and the challenges faced by the new government were examined in detail. They deliberated on Pakistan’s foreign policy in relation to its military and government, exploring how to navigate future challenges involving foreign players in the region.
The speakers’ discussions and presentations focused on radicalization, terrorism, and the role of non-state actors in Pakistan, as well as the current role of Pakistan’s military and its future trajectory. This was in the context of the ethnic fault lines within Pakistan and how they impact the country’s internal discourse.
