Sabotaging the process of growth

Politics, ideally, should be about selfless service to the people and every step of rulers should be directed towards the progress of the country and prosperity of its citizens. The PML-N realises that Pakistan can only move ahead through indiscriminate accountability, and has resolved that the country cannot afford chaos or negative politics at this juncture when it is fighting on many a front. A majority of Pakistanis has rejected the politics of protests and sit-ins and are in favour of continued development and peace. We need to work collectively with all segments of society to bring positive changes to our country, as it has been lagging behind among the international community in terms of development. The government is committed to catching up with developed countries, but the politics of throwing around unconfirmed allegations has to be shunned.

The PML-N government has always been flexible in its approach of governing, and is committed to curbing elements that are out to halt the process of development for the sake of their vested interests. On the directions of the prime minister, a 12-member parliamentary committee will decide the terms of reference, the timeline and the relevant forum to investigate the Panama Papers revelations. The prime minister, in his recent parliamentary address, had made it clear that the Sharif family has paid Rs10 billion in taxes during the last 23 years. The assets mentioned in the Panama Papers were legally acquired through the family’s network of businesses and industries in Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and elsewhere.

In contrast, those acquiring loans worth billions had them waived off through unfair means. These people must be brought to justice, as indiscriminate accountability of all is what we need today. It is ironic that those possessing offshore companies are the ones creating the most noise over the Panama leaks issue, but I am sure that our politically-conscious citizenry will not be hoodwinked by such elements. The result of the recent by-election in Peshawar should be a lesson for all those indulging in negative politics.

It is unfortunate that the political parties of our country still lack maturity and are always ready to use undemocratic means to sabotage the process of growth just to fulfil their selfish agendas. PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s baseless bashing of the government and the PPP’s opportunist agendas are an example of these. Pakistan will remain a constant battlefield if politicians continue to attack one another over moral righteousness. Nobody can challenge the fact that the Pakistan of today is economically stronger than before and the successful completion of major development projects, including the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, on time and without undue hindrance, will only lead to peace, security, development and prosperity.

There are too many political forces in the country, which by practising politics of negative agendas, are self-negating their own aims of building a “New Pakistan”, free of exploitation, oppression and corruption. People are well aware of the fact that Imran Khan himself is flanked by those against whom there are allegations of corruption and tax evasion. The PTI leader is playing in the hands of these nefarious forces. Instead of spending money on arranging meaningless ‘musical jalsas’, it would be better if the PTI consumed its resources and energies to bringing much-needed reforms in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 1^st, 2016.

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