Who is stronger or weaker in Pakistan is not my question at all but country's direction is a relavent probe. In democracy hired guns are not available for mercenaries to play havoc but having said that Democracy ain't coming in a day and its not a days job to attain complete civil rule. We can only make efforts further to stabilise the process by which civilian rule is respected & strengthened. Rulers must never be scared of civil dispensation , consultation and joint working on major challenges and objectives which are relevant to common masses and are concerned with state future infrastructure and protection. Civilian dispensation is an ongoing process of years and is attained with Patience and resilience and better governance is its key to strengthen it and that's exactly the need of the hour that rather than Pakistani nation and its ruling junta divert its attention towards periferial issues , they must keep moving forward. When Dictatorship comes then all will be done by them until then civil rulers are by all means legally morally politically publicly and internationally acknowledged and accepted as lawful masters and the government of the people and they have every right to do what to them according to their manifesto is lawful and need of the hour and is in public interest. 'The lion' here is who completes tenure and goes to public for vote, how he does that is the art which makes him the lion. What CPEC, NAP and energy projects intend to do in pakistan requires vigilance and patience to turn around as local national and international evils will be casting all sorts of shadows and eyes on state programmes and mercenaries will be available to disrupt in the form of further and or local hired guns which long have been thwarting success like stopping kala Bagh dam and letting opponents to have the time to infiltrate and complete Bagliyaar Dam.

Open statements are in public domain to make CPEC a history and that's what is a national challenge. Civil and Military together must come up to all these challenges with the help of political stake holders (especially signatories of the charter of democracy) as no single power can complete this 'dream to come true ' that Pakistan is safer economically powerful and energy self sufficient as ending aid and promoting trade on equality basis is not a day's dream and will not be achieved without hard work and sacrifice and patience. 16 December 2014 APS Attack on school and 131 children martyrdom is a turning point in Pakistan's history to complete the unfinished business. ISIS or TTP may change masks but extremism radicalisation , violence and intolerance have made this nation hollow with the damages to mind body and heart and it requires similar madness and a sheer strong will to discourage deter and defeat this menace of terrorism. Luckily nation stood upon this APS Peshawar tragedy and national consensus was formed as its armed forces and ruling elite joined hands and minds to end terrorism through operational 'Zara's e Azab' and intellectual 'National Action Plan' onslaught. Enemy is widespread , unfaced, and have strong breeding grounds its hideouts and safe heavens and nation can only defeat it by collective effort as Militancy is defeated by the change of mindset as weaker democracy is treated by more democracy and governance. Pakistan is long marred by indoctrinated by radicalisation. Our internal militancy can be easily manipulated by forces like ISIS and that's the bigger challenge for our armed forces and intelligence outfits than the issue as to who is super and powerful in the state of Pakistan as they may all be powerful or may be none metaphorically speaking but they all can do something for the state. Success Will be to avert APS like challenges and make them history. Internationally Late King Abdullah of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia once floated the idea of 'joint intelligence mechanism' amongst east and west' .Pakistan may try first to attain civil and military trust to have joint intelligence mechanism at the level of NECTA and later internationally It may highlight it at the 34 countries alliance or at OIC to move to right direction and have a purposeful and meaningful platform to bridge the gap , have joint intelligence sharing protocol and have a dialogue between ancient civilisations. Once pakistsn have attained some success locally ,it can float this model at international levels. Only that can serve a better purpose of any unity amongst Islamic community of nations than combat force like NATO which only will have backlash at home due to sectarian divide in most of the gulf region.

In conclusion, NAP must not be taken lightly, as economy energy and terrorism is interdependent on the success of NAP. These are ongoing issues in the world and pakistan must come up as a role model , a success story everywhere in the west to galvanise support for its civilian system of governance and Pak must promote economic attitude in China Central Asia and middle east and governance and precision of amenities and energy locally at home soil and politically harmony through dialogue with political forces and allies.In 2016 Pakistan must not deviate from its aim to turn around economy , attempt to end terrorism and try further to meet energy needs and if govt succeed, only politicians go to voters no the govt officials in a lawful authority with due process so they must encompass and embrace the successes of Pakistan's law enforcement segments under NAP as their own when prime minister goes to his people as only that's the 'naked truth' that govt and opposition are accountable to masses and rest are all to govt and the parliament. Rest corruption poses a serious hurdle in the way of smooth sailing civil process and to attain role model governance but economic prosperity safety security and energy sufficiency all are interlinked. Once Pak comes nearer to break the begging bowl it will surely know how to grip corruption which is out of hand still in the presence of plethora of anti corruption laws and NAB (national accountability bureau) on top. Successful prosperous economically viable govt will know how to protect our hard earned living too and if it treads with China Pakistan must know that China does not spare those who meddles in the public funds as there is a death penalty on such crimes. Let's start 2016 with optimism and genuine prayers for prosperity in the country.

Barrister Amjad Malik is a Chair of the Association of Pakistani Lawyers UK

2 January 2016