KARACHI:
This refers to an opinion piece titled ‘For the love of IMF’ published in these columns. The writer, Fahd Hussain, raises an important point: in Pakistan, the IMF is often blamed for harsh economic decisions, while the real causes of our repeated fiscal problems are usually ignored.
Our economic crisis is not only the result of external pressure. It is also the result of years of reckless spending, elite privileges, wasteful projects and weak reform. When state-owned enterprises continue to suffer massive losses and the government avoids serious restructuring, it becomes unfair to place all the blame on the IMF. The truth is that the country cannot continue living beyond its means.
What Pakistan needs is not more slogans or political excuses, but genuine reform, financial discipline and accountability. If the government is serious about public welfare, it must reduce unnecessary expenditures, end elite favouritism and strengthen institutions that protect taxpayer money. Otherwise, every new budget will repeat the same pattern of promises, shortages and disappointment.
The IMF may be unpopular, but it is not the root cause of our problems. Our own unwillingness to reform is the greater issue. Until that changes, no budget will bring lasting relief to the people.
Ali Nawaz
Jhang
