Why 2023 Was Most Turbulent Year for Pakistan in a Decade
In 2023, Islamic Republic of Pakistan experienced a period of internal turmoil with an increase in terror attacks, political polarization, and widespread demonstrations. However, externally, the country strengthened its diplomatic ties and geopolitical influence.
SputnikIn this year, the Pakistan encountered unparalleled socio-political and regional uncertainties, including internal divisions among political parties, tussle with Taliban led Afghan government, tensions with the military establishment, and widespread demonstrations.
Additionally, the mass deportation of Afghan refugees, brutal attacks including bomb blasts on Pakistani forces, and Suicide bomb blasts further added to the complexities of the situation, contributing to a sense of unease and instability throughout the country.
Geo-politically, It also saw a significant shift in Pakistan's relationship with
Russia, as well as Pakistan's application for membership in the
BRICS organization. Additionally, Pakistan's ties with
China,
Saudi Arabia, and the
UAE were further strengthened.
May 9 Unrest: Imran Khan's Arrest Sparks Riots
The events of May 9, 2023, in Pakistan marked a tumultuous and violent period in the country's recent history. The unrest stemmed from the arrest of Imran Khan, the chairperson of the Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf PTI party, on the premises of
the Islamabad High Court IHC.
Charges against Khan were about doing corruption like
Toshakhana case, and mishandling official secrets known as Cyper content, including a meeting between the
US diplomat and Pakistani ambassador before the public.
Speaking to Sputnik News, Khan told," The political landscape was significantly impacted by the ousting of former Prime Minister Imran Khan in April 2022, leading to widespread protests and civil unrest in the country."
Further he added, "The tension between the military and civilian leadership escalated, particularly following the May 9 detention of Imran Khan and the subsequent riots the same day, characterized by vehement anti-military sentiments and accusations of corruption within the army."
A New Geo-Political and Economical Shift
Amid an energy crisis that caused economic instability, Pakistan made a significant move by initiating the import of gas and oil from Russia at a negotiable price.
In October 2023, the
Russian Embassy in Pakistan announced on social media platform X formerly known as
Twitter that Pakistan had successfully received its first shipment of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) from Russia.
The post confirmed that Russia had delivered 100,000 metric tons of LPG to Pakistan, marking a pivotal moment in the energy cooperation between the two nations.
Sputnik India spoke with a foreign policy expert, a think tanker, and geo-political analysts, Taimoor Khan.
"The developments in Pak-Russia relationship was probably one of the things that was encouraging for Pakistan in the year 2023. The bilateral relationship witnessed significant growth as Pakistan and Russia celebrated 75th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic relations, especially in terms of trade with regards to energy and food commodities, " he said.
Additionally, Sputnik News approached the CEO of Global defense Insight, Security and geo-political analyst, Umair Aslam, to take insight on Pak-Russia relation, and current geo-political development concerning Pakistan.
"Pakistan applied for the membership of the BRICS this year and is also seeking for Russian and Chinese help in this case. Pakistan is also enhancing relations with the Russia to secure a seat in the BRICS," he told Sputnik.
Additionally, he commented with optimistic tone, "I think, membership of BRICS would be very much beneficial for Pakistan since BRICS is a leading multi-lateral forum for economic development."
On Thursday, in a year-end
media briefing, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, spokesperson for the Foreign Office (FO),
highlighted Pakistan's productive diplomacy in 2023. She emphasized the country's enhanced international profile and strengthened global relations through high-level exchanges and visits. Furthermore, Pakistan and China reaffirmed their commitment to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, which marked its ten-year anniversary in 2023.At the context of Pak-Russia relation and ties, she said to media, "Islamabad-Moscow relations maintained a positive trajectory as the two nations exchanged several high-level visits. Inter- Governmental Commission on Economic, Trade, Scientific and Technical Cooperation and Bilateral Political Consultations were also held during the year."
Mass Deportation and Afghan Refugee Crisis 2023
In October 2023, the Pakistani government revealed a plan to repatriate Afghan foreign nationals who were either in possession of invalid visas or had exceeded the permitted duration of their visa by more than one year. The large-scale deportations primarily impacted Afghan individuals who had sought refuge in Pakistan following
the Fall of Kabul and Taliban's assumption of power in
Afghanistan.
At the time the deportation order was issued, there were approximately 3.8 million Afghans residing in Pakistan, constituting 95% of the foreign national population. The deportations were scheduled to commence on 1st November 2023 and it was estimated that around 200,000 Afghan individuals had departed from Pakistan by that time.
The government of
Pakistan claimed the mass deportations by citing a rise in crime and violence, which included suicide attacks. However, external observers pointed out that there were likely political motives behind the abrupt deportations.
Surge in Terror Attacks and Casualties
In 2023, Pakistan experienced a significant increase in suicide attacks this year, the highest in a decade, as
reported 2023 by the Islamabad-based Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS). A total of 29 suicide attacks were recorded in this year, marking the most since 2014, which witnessed 30 such incidents.
Moreover, these attacks resulted in at least 582 injuries, and 329 deaths. Compared to 2022, the number of suicide attacks rose by 93%, with fatalities and injuries surging by 226% and 101% respectively. In 2022, the previous year saw 15 attacks, leading to 101 deaths and 290 injuries.
While interviewing Taimoor Khan, he shared with Sputnik News, "Most of these brutal attacks were concentrated in the northwestern provinces, with groups like the Tahreek-i-Taliban Pakistan TTP, Khorasan IS-K, and various Baloch separatist terrorist groups claiming responsibilities."
Further he unvieled to Sputnik, "This led to a fresh wave of Intelligence-Based Operations IBOs by the Pakistani LEAs putting an extra burden on the exchequer and straining bilateral relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan and has raised concerns among regional countries as well."
Protests Against Extra Judicial killing & Enforced Disappearances
Since various months,
the Baloch, an ethnic group living in
Balochistan, have mobilised extensive protests in response to alleged extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances.
Additionally, the protestors claim that the Pakistan Army and
the Inter-Services Intelligence have established a group named the Counter Terrorism Department, which is accused of engaging in actions akin to the events of 1971, specifically the alleged genocide carried out to suppress the liberation movement in
Bangladesh.
In this regard, Sputnik India interviewed the leader of protest, Dr. Mahrang Baloch.
She said, "Since decade, Baloch have been facing the curse of extra judicial killing, military operation and enforced disappearance in Balochistan. Now it is enough; we cannot bear this anymore in the name of security. The purpose behind this massive countrywide protests is to uncover the injustice, and suppression in Balochistan which we are confronting; our beloved ones are missing since many years."
She further added, "Our demands are crystal clear like release all Baloch missing persons, stop extra judicial killings, and unamred the Counter Terrorism Department of Balochistan."