Lt Gen Asad Durrani

The article explores Afghanistan's historical role and the challenges it faces in the evolving Afghan landscape.

Is there any reason therefore to trust that the next round would install a better gang than the present junta? Moreover, was there ever any doubt that the PTI was rooting for elections because it was favorably placed?

Ever heard of an incorrigible sinner who got away every time by seeking forgiveness from the Almighty! Once he was accused of a felony he didn’t commit – and naively prayed for Justice. In all fairness, he had to be hanged for all his past crimes.

Taking the government to the people’s doorsteps was always conceded as the basic brick of a sound administration and the sine qua non for a vibrant society. The top brass in every concern scuttled the devolution of power to protect its monopoly.

Based on the best available assessment Yahya Khan agreed to hold them in 1970. He had been assured that a hung parliament, which would let the military strongman continue ruling the roost, was the most likely outcome.

Army’s role in Pakistani politics has not been very helpful, but on an odd occasion, it did suggest a framework that was not only sensible but also kept the military in its place. Essentially, it proposed creating a broad-based consensus on core national issues.

Over the last six weeks too, the only acts of ours that did not exactly please Biden’s heart were some odd abstentions when the UN called us to line up against Moscow. But there too we had the company of some American blue-eyed countries like India.

Lt Gen. (r) Asad Durrani, a retired 3-star rank general in the Pakistan Army laments how we clobber the countries on our wrong side for violating human rights or maltreatment of minorities but must keep mum on graver violations by our strategic partners.