1. Remove American influence from the country

Ever since the start of the War on Terror, Pakistan has become a pawn in America’s political game in the region. With the war on Afghanistan now into its second decade by following America’s policy, Pakistan has allowed the war into its own territory. The actions of the Pakistan Army in Waziristan and FATA have been on the insistence of America and have less to do with internal security than fighting America’s war.

The recent incident of Colonel Joseph Emmanuel Hall – who jumped a red light and killed a motorcyclist in Islamabad – highlights the impunity with which Americans operate on Pakistani soil. Despite jumping a red light and being under the influence of alcohol, Hall was not arrested, rather was afforded diplomatic immunity. Just as in the Raymond Davis case – the life of a Pakistani is worthless if it is taken by an American.

2. Get rid of the farce of democracy

Like the rest of the Muslim world, democracy has been sold to Pakistan as the mother of all cures. However, the current circus which is preceding elections later this year has shown the fallacy of democracy when it comes to solving real issues. Pakistan’s deposed Prime Minister sits behind bars due to yet another bout of corruption scandals, with his wife – despite being hospitalised in the UK – being elected as an MNA. On the opposition, we have a dynastical clan in the form of the PPP who themselves are riddled with corruption. The alternative hope in the PTI are now being exposed as having the same problems as the other parties, with the three members caught horse trading votes in the senate elections now aligned to join the PPP.

This merry-go-round of rallies, court cases and TV appearances are making careers for politicians who spend more time attacking each other and less on actually ruling the country. It is clear democracy has failed Pakistan and it can no longer carry on like this.

3. Take control of its own economic destiny

Pakistan’s current external debt stands at US$90 billion, a figure which keeps increasing year on year. For decades now, there has been no clear plan to service this debt and become self-sufficient when it comes to industry and wealth creation. The levels of corruption in the country’s vanity projects such as Gwadar port (to service the needs of China) are crippling the economy. The average person struggles to make ends meet, whilst the government seeks to create highways and ports to fulfil the geopolitical ambitions of other nations. Capitalism, crony politics and incompetent governance have all but destroyed the economic future of Pakistan. An immediate stop is needed when it comes to serving the interest on debts which have already been paid twice over. What is needed is an eradication of crony politicians whose only love for politics are the kickbacks they receive. This, together with the replacement of the capitalist economic system with an Islamic one, would move Pakistan in the right direction to becoming an economically independent nation.

4. Create internal stability

Pakistanis have been led to believe that holding a game of cricket in Pakistan is a sign of the good times arriving back to the country. After years of fighting America’s war on Islam, Pakistan has created an atmosphere of mistrust and internal conflict.

5. A firmer stance on Muslim issues

Pakistan as a nuclear power with its huge military, should be the leading voice of Muslim affairs globally, not be made to sit on the fringes of meetings in Saudi. This is the position Pakistan needs to adopt and become the champion of removing oppression against the Muslims not only from its own region but also globally.

From Kashmir, Burma to Palestine: Pakistan has done nothing to stop the butchering and killing of Muslims. This is not a reflection of its own weakness, but one of a weakness in leadership. Time and time again, the Pakistani establishment has been exposed as being cronies of the West, unwilling to move on important issues due to external pressures. This will continue if the power structures and systems in Pakistan remain. Only the Khilafah in Pakistan will give it the independent political will to fulfil its obligations.