Pursuing sound policies for today and tomorrow

The weak coalition government, with PML-N and PPP as major partners, will have to navigate through multiple challenges. First and foremost, sustaining the coalition by itself will need considerable tact, prudence and flexibility on the part of all sides. They have one common objective that probably will keep them glued, and that is to capture power by forming a coalition government and keep pressure on the PTI. But dismantling the PTI and relying on establishment to support them or look the other way while PTI pleas in the courts keep pending has consequences both in the short and long term. As Pakistan’s political institutions are already weak, it will further weaken them with public losing confidence in the fairness of state institutions, which should not be taken lightly.

Ever since the independence, most of Pakistan’s political parties are dominated by families and the present leadership carries this stigma of perpetuating family dominance by sidelining competent senior leaders. In many ways the world has changed dramatically and we are living in an age that is dominated by technology and instant news. Any party or leader that ignores the reality that people, even if they are uneducated or living in remote villages, are influenced by these developments does it on its own peril.

Pakistan’s politics will be best served by promoting a broad spectrum of leadership from all provinces and representing different age groups. This will be in the true spirit of the Constitution and promote social cohesion and ethnic harmony. The government has a host of national and international issues and challenges to focus on. Foremost being improving governance, addressing economic hardship of the people, especially the high cost of living, and dealing firmly with the growing influence of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). These challenges are interconnected, and not addressing them seriously and in a coordinated manner poses a serious threat. Weak economy promotes and nourishes insurgency and so does inefficient governance.

The piling-up of annual deficits as national debt is reaching alarming figures, and no prospects of increase in revenue will burden obligations of the future generations. Neglect and delay in addressing the multiple external and internal issues facing the country exasperates public miseries. But this is linked to political stability and ability of the leaders to ensure functioning within constitutional and legal framework.

Moreover, uncertain political and economic environment creates despondency and encourages talent to migrate or find jobs in foreign countries. There is considerable talent in the country but it has been pushed in the background, and people with ideas and experience are seldom utilised by the government. Steering the economy on sound lines would require the government to take difficult decisions. Increasing the price of fuel that the people are already finding unbearable would only add to their miseries. It will create a trigger effect with inflation keep going. The PML-N and PPP leadership cannot remain insulated from the backlash of these measures.

We have to learn from the experience of other countries. South Korea should serve as a model for destitute nations where people are struggling to survive, although the country did not have a smooth sailing in its ascent; and there were obstacles and pitfalls on the way. South Korea faced major setbacks in the early 1970s, in 1980s, and during 2008-09. But by government’s resolve and astute management, the country was able to overcome the challenges and has generally kept up the momentum of a steady rise ever since. The lesson to draw from the rise of nations from poverty to a high or comfortable standard of living is to invest in people, especially the younger generation; spending money into building country’s human capital and physical infrastructure; focusing on availability of schools and colleges in cities and countryside; and ensuring that these maintain certain standards compatible with the demands of the present technology-oriented world. There is a general belief that our leaders deliberately do not want to prioritise education, as an educated population will be demanding and expect fair play and justice from the country’s leadership. There is an element of truth in this as is evident from the neglect shown by the leadership in prioritising education, especially in the countryside. In cities it is the private sector that has stepped in in a big way to fill the gap. But many of these privately-owned colleges and schools fail to maintain the required efficiency standard. Pakistani youth look up to the US as the best destination for advanced studies in science and engineering disciplines and this should also be facilitated.

Neglect of the health sector is another major factor that is pulling the country down. The availability of medical facilities and shortage of qualified doctors and nurses is endangering the lives of millions living in rural areas, especially of Sindh and Balochistan. A recent authentic survey in rural Sindh of the health of the population indicated widespread stunting of children and serious respiratory problems in women and men. The women are the worst affected, the primary cause of which was inhaling the smoke generated by burning wood for cooking. It is sheer neglect and an irresponsive leadership that is ignoring these glaring omissions. In fact, many of these outdated practices that are seriously impacting the health of a significant percentage of population can be avoided by guidance and provision of locally-made, safe heating devices.

There are several other avenues for strengthening the country’s economy. Pakistan offers the shortest and potentially the most economical conduit for trade between Afghanistan and the world, between the Middle East and China, and between Africa and China. Our leadership has been talking about it for long but so far, we have failed to fully exploit it. The incoming government should accord priority to expanding trade and seriously consider linking up with China’s recent moves to develop new trade routes to the Middle East and beyond. The PML-N and PPP leadership that will emerge after the formation of the recent election will be well disposed toward working with the US while maintaining strong economic and strategic ties with China. There is no contradiction in that, as the US and China while being rivals at the strategic level have strong economic linkages and substantial mutual trade.

Promoting sound economic and strategic policies requires consistency and is time-taking, but the foundation for this has to be laid now.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 28^th, 2024.

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