Dealing with the challenge frontally

The destiny of Pakistan cannot remain hostage to the idiosyncrasies and whims of politicians or the ambitions of self-imposed leaders that has generally been the sordid history of our country. This is not what Jinnah or the founders of the country had visualised and struggled for. To blame one group, institution or individuals for where the country stands after seventy-five years of its life is an exercise we have all done in some form or the other. It is time for us to accept the hard reality that essentially it has been a collective failure to place the country on the path of stability and on the right course. It is not a unique feature of our country’s journey since independence. Other nations too have faltered but the ones with sensible, sincere and more mature leadership at top have navigated it with greater prudence and maturity toward a promising future. And it is collective responsibility in which the political leadership obviously has a central role but the part of military, business leaders, intellectuals and other segments of societies is no less significant as our recent history reminds us.

In Pakistan’s present scenario with the economy in distress, security situation facing threats from BLF, TTP, ISK and deep animosity among political parties and highly confrontational attitudes of leaders toward each other with threats of Imran Khan resuming his march to the Capital with thousands of his loyalists, the situation is likely to get worse. In fact, Imran Khan has already rejected the idea and much to the government’s chagrin seems determined to return to Islamabad with his crowds. It is difficult to comprehend what exactly Imran Khan and his party would gain by having the elections a few months earlier. In any case governing Pakistan in the present political and economic scenario and steering it toward stability is no ordinary challenge and beyond the capacity of any one party. The suggestion of PM Shehbaz Sharif that Pakistan needs a broad-based government and unity of approach in dealing with its present multiple challenges has considerable merit. Although knowing the level of animosity between the government and the opposition and how ego-centric our leaders are it is unlikely that the proposal will be even considered seriously.

PM’s idea of developing a consensus on education, health and industry should have been given serious attention because Pakistan is lagging behind in these areas even by South Asian standards. A country in which 30 to 35 % of the population has difficulty in reading or writing what future does it have. These are issues that need to be given highest priority but are even rarely discussed what to talk of developing an accord.

Pakistan is a poor nation, with 30% of the population below the poverty line. With low economic growth and minimum investment in education and health, economic opportunities remain restricted and the monopoly of the elite. Reminding the readers of our problems with which they are so familiar is only to highlight that there should have been a sense of guilt and an urgency on the part of leaders that they failed to address these issues over the years due to lopsided priorities, and still continue to sideline these and engage in activities that are truly an enigma. The challenge is how to extricate ourselves from this viscous cycle to a more positive one that would strengthen our economy and moderate politics. The irony is that with the parliament and other democratic institutions in a limbo there are few platforms left for serious discourse. There has to be a realisation among political elite that the nation’s bearings have to be set in the right direction and failure to do so would have adverse consequences and history will not forgive them.

Perhaps there is not sufficient realisation that the youth is fairly disillusioned with the present political elite. The type of discourse on television talk shows or in public has too much of negativity in it and is demoralising. Pluralism which is the essence of democracy is under threat due to the acute polarisation of politics.

There is a general sense of disillusionment and lack of interest in Pakistan by major powers. Lowering of the country’s image has an impact on the economy as foreign investment declines. Even China appears somewhat disappointed with the slow progress in certain projects of CPEC. Modi’s negative rating of Pakistan is an ominous development as it would discourage foreign and local investment putting additional pressure on the economy.

The advantage of geographical location that the country has being a corridor for energy and trade for the region is largely negated due to strained relations with India and unsettled conditions in Afghanistan. In Pakistan’s elite psyche this is a given situation and there is no effort to circumvent it or show flexibility in policies for the larger good. Although there is a school of thought that these openings would have facilitated raproachment and should be explored seriously. Reopening of borders with India will certainly give a boost to trade. There is considerable scope of increasing trade with Afghanistan and Central Asian states. But the government is presently focused in dealing with the opposition street protests and distracted from addressing major issues. It is doubtful if there is a realisation of this with the opposition leadership. The government’s delay in taking major decisions for three months had a significant impact on the economy which it already had inherited in dire state.

The nation’s democratic system will remain under severe threat as Imran Khan abandons parliament and continues with agitational politics on roads. This would draw the army leadership in political matters much against their wishes and undermine people’s trust in politicians and their commitment to democracy. It would seriously hurt the economy that is already going through one of its toughest periods. All this has to change for which concrete steps have to be taken by the leadership to place the economy and politics on a stable course.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 8^th, 2022.

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