The way ahead

The dawn of 2023 has come with a mixed aura of hope and despair. The nation is
in a fix as it faces daunting challenges in standing fast as a collective and viable entity. The fissures of 2022 will continue to haunt it, and three of the biggest tasks before it would be to usher in political stability, resurrect the economy and exterminate terror outfits. The outgoing year saw some of the biggest somersaults in our history: ouster of an elected prime minister for the first time on the floor of the house — describe as a unique regime change operation, wherein political forces across the board amassed against the PTI government. Since the ouster of Imran Khan from the Prime Minister House, the country has been in abject political polarisation.

The economy has nosedived, and all prescriptions from the lenders and the wizards of wisdom have bitten dust. With inflation having gone past 45% and the rupee in a state of coma at the hands of a resurgent US dollar — coupled with the disruption of supply chain of food items and price spiral owing to the war in Ukraine — Pakistanis have been nervous to the core.

Last but not least, the devastating mid-year floods left behind more than 35 million homeless, destroyed crops over a vast area and turned fertile lands into waterlogging pavements. An estimated $18 billion loss was added to the national exchequer in the form of deluge destitution, and if reports are to be believed the traumatic populace sits at the receiving end of a mini-budget of sorts making the lives of the common man, and especially those under the line of poverty, hang their heads in utter confusion.

Pakistanis will have to think big and likewise the dispensation at the helm of affairs strategise a roadmap that is exceptional to ensure survival. The economy cannot be rectified through piecemeal measures, and needs a surgical operation. Austerity is the way to go, and it’s high time to do away with the conventions of perks and privileges of the few who thrive on the welfare of 220 million people.

Working for food self-sufficiency and an alternate energy module are indispensable. With the National Security Council once again having decided to crush terror, the softies of talking it out with the terrorists must come to an immediate end. No more appeasement at the cost of the state’s sovereignty.

An instant remedy that the nation expects in the New Year is political stability. We have had enough of experiments such as presidential epilogues, technocratic musings and military-cum-civilian stints. They have all added miseries to our collective woes. The nation cannot stand any more misadventure at the hands of those who think from the boardrooms of serenity. Let the people decide their fate and the way ahead. Pakistan will surely be on its feet, alive and kicking. A prospective and Happy New Year to readers!