Pakistan on Verge of Failure Despite Diplomatic Successes: Former Singaporean Diplomat

The former senior diplomat from Singapore has offered a stark assessment of Pakistan's future, warning that despite its recent diplomatic successes, Pakistan is still on the verge of failure. Speaking at the National Press Foundation's International Reporting Fellowship on Maintaining Perspective in Unstable Geopolitical Times, Bilahari Kausikan, former Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Singapore, made this scathing comment. He argued that Pakistan's foreign policy successes cannot hide its deep domestic problems. Kausikan's comment came in response to a question from a Pakistani journalist. The journalist had asked how the recent US-Iran conflict could shape Pakistan's future over the next five years. While asking the question, the journalist also referred to Pakistan's increasing domestic pressures, including skyrocketing inflation, high fuel prices, sanctions affecting Pakistani travellers, and growing security concerns. In response, Kausikan said, "I would say a very clear diplomatic opportunity."