Pakistan on Verge of Collapse Due to Military, Says Former Singaporean Diplomat

The former Singaporean diplomat says Pakistan is on the verge of collapse and its crisis is because of its military. Nobody cares if it doesn't have a nuclear bomb. Former Singaporean diplomat Bilahari Kausikan said this in a meeting with reporters at the International Reporting Fellowship. The statement comes at a time when the Pakistani government has repeatedly prided itself on its geopolitical successes, such as its close relationship with the Republican Party of the United States, while the general public is grappling with poverty and radicalization. Talking about Pakistan's problems with poverty, Kausikan said that Pakistan's problems are not with India or Afghanistan, but with its own politicians and military. Talking about Pakistan's role in mediation efforts during the US-Iran tensions, he said, "I'll be very frank. Pakistan has been very nimble and successful in exploiting the diplomatic opportunity and this has at least helped Pakistan to improve its diplomatic visibility in the US, but you don't know why."