Vantage | If only Pakistanis could ride on missiles instead of planes

In Pakistan, a country grappling with economic instability, the contrasting priorities of its government have become starkly evident. On one hand, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), the nation's flag carrier, is grounded due to a lack of funds to buy fuel. On the other, the Pakistan Army continues to conduct missile tests, the latest being the Ghauri missile, despite facing a severe financial crisis. The Ghauri missile: A closer lookThe Ghauri missile, tested by Pakistan's army recently, is a medium-range ballistic missile developed and tested in 1998. It has the capability to carry both conventional and nuclear warheads with a range of 1,300 to 1,500 kilometres. However, it's important to note that the Ghauri missile is relatively old and its effectiveness on the battlefield is questionable. It relies on a convoy of support vehicles for fueling and launch preparations making it vulnerable to detection and attacks, a significant drawback in modern warfare.Shift in focus to the Shaheen missileThe Pakistan Army's focus has shifted from the Ghauri missile to more advanced systems like the Shaheen missile. In fact, Pakistan has been conducting missile tests with a different missile called Ababeel, boasting a range of over 2,200 kilometres and the capability to carry multiple warheads. These advanced systems are essential for Pakistan's deterrence strategy, particularly in light of India's significant advancements in missile technology over the past two decades.Financial imbalance: A nation's struggleExperts assert that Pakistan cannot compete with India's missile capabilities. Hence, the Ababeel missile is a crucial component of Pakistan's deterrence strategy. Testing and maintaining such advanced missile systems come at a considerable cost. This expense, however, does not deter Pakistan from prioritising its military strength, even as its economy teeters on the brink.The price of misplaced prioritiesPakistan's skewed priorities, favouring military advancements over its economic welfare, have dire consequences. The country's national airline, PIA, is on the verge of collapse, having cancelled 322 flights in just 10 days due to a lack of fuel. Pakistan's state oil company has cut off fuel supplies to PIA, demanding outstanding dues that the airline cannot afford. PIA has been operating at a deficit for several years with losses amounting to billions of dollars.Privatisation as a solutionIn an attempt to salvage the situation, the Pakistani government is pushing to privatise PIA. However, the dire state of the airline, marked by massive flight cancellations and financial losses, raises questions about whether there will be a viable entity left to privatise.Continued missile tests amid economic turmoilWhile PIA remains grounded, Pakistan's missile tests continue. This incongruity highlights the misplaced priorities of the Pakistani government. Despite an ever-growing economic crisis, the military continues to channel vast resources into missile development, reinforcing the notion that national defence takes precedence over economic stability.A non-existent threat from IndiaPakistan's relentless focus on an imagined external threat, particularly from India, has led to an arms race that is both unnecessary and financially crippling. The ramifications of these misplaced priorities are evident in the dire state of its economy with the nation teetering on the brink of financial collapse. Instead of correcting these errors, Pakistan appears to double down on its military ambitions, a decision that might further push the nation into financial turmoil.Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost’s views.Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News,India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.