Whether due to pressure from its US patrons, hitherto irreconcilable mutual suspicions with India, or a combination thereof, Pakistan still declined to participate in the latest Moscow meeting on Afghanistan.

Pakistan’s establishment has cornered itself into today’s reality, with an economy in freefall, friends backing away slowly enough to go unnoticed in the panic of the days, the traditional foe to the East rubbing its hands gleefully at all of us having together done to ourselves what it couldn't manage in 75 years.

Pakistan’s lack of participation in the latest meeting might have prompted speculation among some of its members about the true state of that country’s worsening security dilemma with the Taliban.

Despite tall claims of reforms, not much has changed. In fact, there has been an unprecedented decline in the state apparatus since July 1977 after the civilian rule was toppled by the third usurper, writes Dr. Farid A. Malik, ex-Chairman of the Pakistan Science Foundation.

China may be willing to back up Russia if it stands to gain economically from doing so, however, China has and will avoid needlessly antagonizing the West, which is the essential market for its goods.

Moscow is aware that it’s the only actor with the capabilities to help avert the worst-case scenario of Pakistan’s collapse which could in turn destabilize South Asia and thus endanger the security of Russia’s strategic partners in India.

The country – in its polity and its population – remains a confused entity. For a state to become a state, its nation has to be progressive, demanding, competitive, and innovative.

Middle Eastern autocrats are less afraid that the Iranian protests will be contagious like the 2011 popular Arab revolts that toppled the autocratic leaders of Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, and Yemen. There is a twist of irony in reduced Middle Eastern anxiety.

Pakistan is the most secure state in terms of nuclear security, amongst the non-NPT states. It has established a comprehensive and effective national nuclear security regime that is at par with international standards and guidelines.

Our rulers must explore all options in addition to IMF for meeting its financial challenges. We must evaluate the terms and conditions of the IMF before accepting them as IMF has become a political tool to fix rival nations.

One can almost deduce a blueprint between Ukraine, the West, and Russia. As Russia’s assault goes unabated, the West's ability to galvanize a quick response to Ukraine’s pleas wastes time. The current state of affairs displays a division among NATO states.

Pakistan’s problems have now gone beyond political solutions and need very firm corrective measures. Our situation is fast becoming irreversible and has to be arrested since we have run out of resources as well as time – a deadly combination. The country needs an empowered supra-constitutional body to bring reforms.