How the coming elections can change Pakistan. Or will it change anything?

Elections in Yumm-Rika and Pakistan are holding up some vital decisions across the world.

This head-butting may continue till elections in US and Pakistan are over – and the new dispensations are in place to make the necessary decisions | Cartoonist Sabir Nazar in November 2011; source & courtesy – sabirnazar.blogspot.com | Click for larger image.

Hard & Soft

Mostly due to Obama’s election compulsions, the US is playing hard-to-get for Pakistan. In an election year, Yumm-Rika cannot be soft on Pakistan, an Islāmic country.

Pakistan too is using this opportunity to score brownie points at home.Pakistani leaders are putting up a show of getting close to India, renewing all-weather pledges with China – trying to convince the financiers and the electorate.

Pakistani politicians are not missing any trick in the book.

Come to Daddy

Come a new President in US, all bets are off. Pakistan will be back to its usual self – as will the US.

Proposing some bold scenarios, this post below, published in Pakistan and in Russia also, tells us that

The situation Karachi – and by extension in Pakistan also | Cartoonist Sabir Nazar in August 2011; source & courtesy – pakistantoday.com.pk | Click for larger image.

Pakistan is looking to the East for help. We (Pakistan) are pinning our hopes on regional cooperation through blocs such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). This bloc boasts support from two major regional powers – Russia and China.We have numerous reasons to support this alliance. For instance, despite all cooperation and the consequent suffering, Pakistan continues to face immense pressure from America.

Russia and the Central Asian countries have supported Pakistan’s desire to become a full member of the organisation, while China has refrained from doing so. Sergei Lavrov, the acting Russian Foreign Minister, in a recent SCO meeting pushed for India and Pakistan’s membership in the SCO, coupled with more involvement in the Afghan security situation in a post Nato withdrawal scenario.

Pakistan must convince Beijing that Islamabad’s full participation in the organisation will be useful in addressing major regional issues. Pakistan must seize the moment, and exploit regional energy resources by partnering with Russia, China and India for energy and commercial trade.

Let’s free ourselves (Pakistan) from the hold of the West by embracing our friends in the East. (via China and Russia can free Pakistan of the US – English pravda.ru).

Pakistan is trying out all diplomatic moves while the US is in election mode | Cartoonist Sabir Nazar; March 2, 2012; source & courtesy – sabirnazar.blogspot.com | Click for larger image.

Two thoughts

One – China, Pakistan’s all-weather friend is also playing hard to get. While Russia is supporting Pakistan’s membership in SCO, it is China which is delaying Pakistan’s entry.

Two – As soon as the new US President, which may turn out to be Obama himself, is sworn in, Pakistan and US may rush into each others arms. US and Pakistan suits each others goals so well, that it may be difficult for both to find a replacement for either.

But Russia and China are a different kettle of fish. They are unlikely to wink at Pakistan’s terror factories. Nor do China and Russia have any use of Pakistan as a hired gun – in Imran Khan’s memorable words.

This leaves Pakistan with little wiggle room. Will a mercenary Pakistani leadership accept this situation?

Yes.

If the Pakistani leader is Imran Khan.

And that is why China may be delaying SCO membership, till Pakistani elections are over.

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