Sachin's Kashmir sojourn unveils tourist surge, highlights stark contrast with Pakistan

In the enchanting backdrop of Kashmir’s breathtaking landscapes, cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar embarked on his first-ever visit to the region, revelling in the joys of Gulmarg and Pahalgam. Engaging in spirited gully cricket matches with locals, Sachin, accompanied by his family, embraced the picturesque surroundings. His visit coincided with a historic surge in tourist numbers, with over 1.88 crore tourists flocking to Jammu and Kashmir from 2021 to 2022. Kashmir alone witnessed an unprecedented 26.73 lakh tourist arrivals, more than double the previous highest recorded in 2016.

Amidst the snowfall in Pahalgam and the ski resort of Gulmarg, Sachin Tendulkar, often hailed as the “God of Cricket”, described the region as nothing short of heaven on Earth. However, just 100 kilometres away from North Kashmir, a strikingly different scenario unfolded in Pakistan, earning the moniker of “hell on Earth.”

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As we delve into the contrasting tales of two neighbouring regions, let’s explore 10 noteworthy points shedding light on the current state of affairs in Pakistan.

• Firstly, it is imperative to address the troubling reality that while Pakistan possesses stringent blasphemy laws, incidents of violence, attacks on minorities and brutal instances of lynching persist. The recent incident in Lahore, where a woman faced the terrifying prospect of a mob lynching over misconstrued Arabic designs on her dress, is unfortunately not an isolated event in Pakistan. On 7 August, 2023, a teacher in Turbat was shot dead after being accused of blasphemy by his own students. Similarly, in February of the same year in Nankana, a man accused of desecrating the Quran was brutally dragged out of a police station by a mob and beaten to death. This tragic pattern extends further back, as in December 2021, a Sri Lankan man accused of blasphemy met a similarly horrific fate, being lynched. These incidents underscore the alarming infiltration of religious extremism into the country’s political fabric, exposing a persistent failure on the part of the state to curb vigilante groups perpetrating chaos in the name of religion.

• Despite comprising only 4 per cent of the population, Christians and religious minorities face half of all blasphemy charges. From 1987 to 2018, 776 Muslims, 505 Ahmadis, 229 Christians, and 30 Hindus were charged. Shockingly, around 1,000 girls are forcibly converted to Islam annually, as per Human Rights Commission data. The Shia community, representing 15-20 per cent of the population, bears the brunt of sectarian violence, with extremist attacks claiming around 4,840 lives between 2001 and 2018, highlighting a dire situation for religious minorities. Despite constitutional provisions, and with an increase of minority voters from 2.77 million in 2013 to 4.43 million in 2023, Hindu leaders decry inadequate representation, Pakistan’s Constitution reserves 10 seats for minorities in the National Assembly and 24 in the provinces.

• In Pakistan, the cycle repeats as former prime minister Imran Khan faces imprisonment, mirroring the fate of ex-PM Nawaz Sharif, who now eyes a potential comeback. The backdrop is a history of rigged elections, with the 2018 polls that brought Khan to power considered among the most rigged. Fast forward to 2024, where a surge in internet censorship coincides with revelations from Rawalpindi’s commissioner, Liaqat Ali Chatha, exposing large-scale election rigging. Chatha, under pressure, admits to altering results, implicating key officials, including the chief election commissioner and chief justice of Pakistan, leading to his arrest. Despite a military-led crackdown, politicians allied with Khan’s party claim victory in the recent elections, while opponent Nawaz Sharif disputes the results, casting serious doubt on their legitimacy. In the absence of transparency, these elections risk lacking credibility in the eyes of the people, marking yet another chapter in Pakistan’s electoral challenges.

• The state of Pakistan’s economy is undeniably grim, marked not by a mere crisis but the worst-ever economic meltdown. Atif Mian, the Pakistani American economist, delivers a straightforward assessment: the federal government’s financial reserves are depleted, struggling even to cover basic salaries for peons and soldiers without resorting to borrowing. A heartbreaking reality unfolds as 442,353 children succumbed to poverty’s grip last year, emphasizing the dire challenges faced by the most vulnerable in society. Meanwhile, a missed opportunity with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), a failed deal that could have injected $1.1 billion to avert bankruptcy and prevent defaulting on loans, adds to the economic woes. This is not a tale of high-stakes poker; it’s a serious narrative, inviting reflection on the profound economic struggles Pakistan is currently navigating.

• But fear not, our dear Pakistan, the IMF is here to save the day! After completing the first review of the country’s economic reform program, they’ve given the green light to shower $700 million like confetti. Why the bailout, you ask? Well, turns out Pakistan was in a bit of a pickle, struggling to scrounge up enough foreign exchange to satisfy the IMF’s appetite. The IMF, being the tough cookie it is, refused to dish out the remaining $2.5 billion from a $6.5 billion loan program signed in 2019, which, by the way, had its curtain call on 30 June last year. So, there you have it, the economic drama continues, and Pakistan’s got a $700 million lifeline. The show must go on!

• Pakistan’s economy is struggling and job opportunities are scarce, thanks to a weak job market with low wages and little security. Reasons for the job crisis range from educational deficits to political and economic challenges. Pakistan grapples with a looming economic crisis, as the IMF predicts a surge in unemployment rates from 6.2 per cent (FY22) to 8.5 per cent and 8.2 per cent (FY23 and FY24). The ILO estimates a potential 1.5 million increase in actively seeking work, reaching 5.6 million in 2023. Simultaneously, the country faces the harsh reality of being one of the last two nations globally, alongside Afghanistan, where polio remains endemic. Additionally, a dire scenario unfolds in education, with Pakistan allocating less than 2 per cent of its GDP to the sector, resulting in meagre funding and a literacy rate of just 60 per cent, exposing a precarious future for the nation.

• Pakistan’s population has skyrocketed from 207 million in 2017 to a staggering 241 million today, a 35 million increase in just six years. This demographic surge poses a significant challenge for the economically strapped nation, sparking concerns about its impact on regional security, especially in relation to India. The numbers aren’t just figures; they represent a delicate dance with potential implications for border tensions and infiltration.

• Enter the dark alleys of Pakistan’s decades-long rogue behaviour, a global menace of state-sponsored terrorism. As the IMF grants bailouts, it’s time for the international community to see through the smoke and mirrors. Pakistan’s sinister double games thrive on terror financing structures, intertwined with economic doles from the US, China and international institutions. The deeper politics at play dilute the urgency of curbing Pakistan’s brazen terrorism, turning it into a geopolitical chess match with far-reaching consequences. It’s not just about economics; it’s about navigating a perilous path where power games and terror financing converge, posing a stark challenge to global stability.

• In a bizarre turn of events, Pakistan finds itself facing a threat from Afghanistan that eerily mirrors the challenges India has long endured from Pakistan. The twist? This time, it’s a predicament of Islamabad’s own making. Enter the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a menace that has been launching attacks on Pakistani security forces from Afghanistan, intensifying since the Taliban’s takeover in Kabul. Now, the stage expands with Iran’s foray into Balochistan, courtesy of Jaish al-Adl. This Sunni militant faction, operating from Pakistan, recently provoked a serious crisis with missile-and-drone attacks. It’s a geopolitical puzzle where terror threads weave between nations, presenting a volatile cocktail of regional complexities and confrontations.

• In its bid to showcase leadership in the Islamic world, Pakistan has long boasted about being the ‘only Islamic nation’ with nuclear capabilities. However, India punctured these claims with surgical strikes in 2016 and 2019, exposing Pakistan’s nuclear bluff and debunking its boasts about a superior air defence system. The Balakot airstrike and subsequent events hint at a shift, as Iran follows suit with its own surgical strikes on Pakistan. The narrative takes a surreal turn as Pakistan imprisons its prime minister and foreign minister, purportedly for exposing a foreign conspiracy. It’s a tale that raises eyebrows, painting Pakistan as a nation grappling with an identity crisis on the global stage.

In conclusion, Pakistan stands at the precipice of a looming financial catastrophe, grappling with economic turmoil exacerbated by soaring inflation and a precarious debt situation. The country’s notorious reputation as a haven for diverse forms of troublemakers further hampers foreign investment. As we delve into these 10-pointed realities, they serve as a stark response to those who may harbour romantic notions about Pakistan, providing a factual perspective on the challenges the nation currently faces. It’s a saga of economic woes, geopolitical complexities, and the unmasking of narratives that challenge preconceived notions.

The author is a practising Advocate. She writes articles on women’s rights, politics and law. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost’s views.