LAHORE:
The government plans to “ensure policy predicament, continuity and effective implementation to revive the economy”. Mere plans alone, cannot and will not revive an ailing economy unless the state does not provide incentives and comes down hard on the bureaucratic red tape hurdles that have become a hallmark of our civil services tasked with regulating and facilitating the growth of our industry. It is not just the flight of capital that haunts Pakistan, but also the brain drain.
Employment in both the public and private sectors should only be on merit and not to rehabilitate a few. The economy cannot revive if the wheels of industry and commerce are impeded by political parties who frequently hold demonstrations to show their street power. State sovereignty and collective national interests and security of Pakistan are more important than the political interests and profiteering of a few. Today, Pakistan is at crossroads with existential threats staring us in the face. Without implementing major structural changes and encouraging investment in the industrial sector, exports will not increase nor will imports decline. The budget deficit will remain difficult to control.
The reduction of fertile land has led to a decline in agricultural production. Many farmhouses, orchards, etc have been entirely erased and thousands of families have lost their source of income. To address this issue, all major land development plans, which involve converting agricultural land to concrete jungles must be reversed and heavy taxation penalties should be imposed on the conversion of green pastures for commercial purposes. The economy cannot be revived without major structural changes. Presently, all stakeholders need to prioritise the country’s interests instead of focusing on individual aims. Otherwise, the country will descend into further chaos.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 26th, 2023.
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