New Delhi, Aug. 26 -- Pakistan's present predicament is becoming increasingly difficult to conceal. Inflation remains painful, economic growth modest and the government heavily dependent on external support.

At the same time, Balochistan remains troubled by separatist violence, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa faces persistent militancy, and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir has recently witnessed serious public unrest. Against this backdrop, unusually frank remarks from senior political figures have exposed an uncomfortable debate about where the country is headed.

The India Comparison

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif's comparison with India is perhaps the most revealing. He pointed out that India and Pakistan became independent at virtually the same time, ye...