Seems as if government policies not based on facts or evidence, but personally vested interests
KARACHI: It is a case of poor governance in Pakistan that the government is neither capable nor inclined to formulate policies to manage development or deal with the crucial issues at hand. It seems policies are not based on facts or evidence, but personally vested interests. What is perhaps even more unfortunate is that other institutions that step into the policymaking domain are unqualified to understand the technicalities involved and hence create policies without giving much thought to their post-implementation consequences.
An order passed by the Supreme Court in a suo-motu case examining hazardous milk products is an example. By virtue of a single order banning the use of RBST, a steroid used to enhance milk production, the Supreme Court has effectively reduced milk production in most parts of the country by 25 per cent. In one fell swoop, the livelihoods of millions of people and the adequate supply of milk in the country have been put at stake. Further, research studies have shown a weak correlation between development of cancer and the consumption of the said hormone. Now that the order has come into effect — with no warning, no preparation time, no subsidy for farmers, no assistance in transitioning to a RBST-free industry, no study on implications, the consequences are likely to be less favourable for either of the parties involved.
Unfortunately, with thoughtless policies being implemented, poor governance is there to stay, no matter who takes up the mettle to govern this country. Let us hope that good sense will prevail and policymaking will be left to policy experts.
Omar Bashir Maniar
Published in The Express Tribune, January 9th, 2018.
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