The month of September is a reminder of one of the major collisions between neighbouring Pakistan and India in 1965. Setting aside the debate on who won or lost, this event signifies footprints of a volatile political transition following independence.

Persistent rivalry between the two countries led Pakistan to develop into a national security state. This dominant ‘security’ perspective derailed Pakistan’s development direction and pushed the country’s leadership to determine the national policy discourse in the backdrop of geo-political dynamics and its associated international chessboard. Unlike countries that achieved post-World War II independence, unclear strategic directions continue to disrupt the country’s transition to democracy and the way to recognise people’s rights. The result is a never-ending array of political instability, economic susceptibility and social discontent.

However, the people of Pakistan have shown utmost resilience against all odds. Since independence, they defeated four dictatorship regimes. They continue to resist extremism and terrorism as well. They have shown exceptional resilience against COVID-19, climate change adversaries and skyrocketing inflation in a period of historic economic turmoil in Pakistan.             

In the backdrop of this context, The Knowledge Forum’s September 2023 edition of the “Pakistan Bulletin” offers expert insights on carefully selected topics relevant to the country’s contemporary political discourse, human rights landscape, economic state of affairs and climate change challenges.