An existential threat.

The Pakistani nation must certainly be applauded for its resilience to brave any challenge! From the horrific incidents during migration from India and the subsequent problems of rehabilitation of refugees to recurring the horrors of wars, economic hardships, terrorism, political turmoil, and natural disasters, the nation has always stood up with even stronger determination. This could be the outcome of faith in the country's destiny, strong social ethos, nostalgic account of history, or an innate capacity to surmount difficulties. But this time around, the nation seems hopeless to the core thanks to a persistent leadership crisis that has led to the present state of affairs, with an uncertain future staring us in the face.

Let us have a look at the recently released Global Risk Report 2023 by WEF which identifies the following top ten risks that pose the biggest threats to Pakistan in the next two years: 1) Digital power concentration and monopolies; 2) Failure of cybersecurity measures, including loss of privacy, data fraud or theft, cyber espionage; 3) Rapid and/or sustained inflation; 4) Debt crises; 5) State collapse; 6) Lack of widespread digital services and digital inequality; 7) Interstate conflict; 8) Terrestrial biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse; 9) Terrorist attacks; 10) Employment and livelihood crisis.

Of the ten risks identified in the WEF report, it is resurgence of terrorism that has caused and continues to cause cracks in both state and society. The recent terrorist attack in a mosque in the vicinity of a police headquarter in Peshawar, which killed more than hundred innocent people, is testimony to the fact that a second wave of terrorism is in the air with K-P becoming a 'breeding and blasting' ground. The Pakhtuns on both sides of the Durand Line have already paid a heavy price and their patience, it seems, is being tested one more time.

The Pakhtuns had no fundamental role, whatsoever, in the 'great game' and they had not invited either the USSR or the US to settle their scores in Afghanistan. Protection of their honour and soil, however, has been their only avowed crime and crisis of leadership their tragic dilemma. They were decimated, displaced and...