Breaking free from elite capture is a must

It is a universal truth that Pakistan is sizzling under the clutches of elite capture. Its economy is on the rocks, and more than 50% of the populace is living under the line of poverty on less than $3 a day. The middle class — a vibrant enterprise of self-made people, entrepreneurs and small-scale businesses — is becoming extinct. It is they who are under the yoke of miserable taxation and are rapidly plummeting into the category of have-nots.

Yet, the nefarious apparatus of state within a state, coupled with informal black economy, thrives on and is part and parcel of the ruling dispensation, irrespective of which strata of political shade is in power. This coterie comprises political leadership, civil-military-judicial bureaucracy, the free riders, and a brigade of opportunists who are out to do anything to stay afloat. For them there is neither any law nor any ambit of constitution. This pathetic equation is unravelling the statehood of Pakistan, as economic revulsion is ripe to pitch the society in a civil war.

Some captivating facts are worth pondering. Out of a total budget outlay of Rs18,877 billion, a staggering Rs9,775 billion goes into debt-serving. The remaining pie is conveniently consumed in defence, pensions and running of an inefficient large-sized government, leaving negligible peanuts for social mobility of the nation. It is irksome that budget allocations for education and health are less than those that go into shady earmarking for reasons of complicity.

Last but not least is an unending treasure trove that is always there to keep the movers and shakers happy, in the form of free electricity, gas, telephone, petrol, cars, air travel, residence and treatment abroad, apart from hefty salaries. Incidentally, and shamefully, all these expenses are borne by the people of Pakistan through their tax kitty. This culture of pampering the termites in power corridors has made it a moth-eaten country.

It is no surprise that Pakistan is under an international debt obligation of more than $120 billion. Likewise, it is a crude joke that each Pakistani is indebted to the tune of Rs280,000, and counting. With a convention of begging out for a billion dollars from global lenders, on a yearly basis for quite some time, the nation is made to forget that they have been plundered and trillions of their stolen money is parked in foreign destinations.

The Panama and other such leaks are just the tip of the iceberg, and perhaps the downtrodden and tarnished nation of 245 million will never come to see the day when the looters will ever stand a trial and the siphoned off money is retrieved. Alas! Thanks to an evolving social media, technology and freedom of expression, we are not lost on at least keeping a tab on the names of swindlers, who have pushed us to the brink.

This state of remorse must have an end. The system in vogue is, undoubtedly, worse than the erstwhile colonial occupation. Here we are being made to compromise on our sovereignty, and that too to retain the unjust decorum of elite capture. Pakistan is divided into the ‘haves’ and the ‘downtrodden’. The people of Pakistan are in a miserable state of affairs, and the economic downturn is breeding extremism, parochialism and disgust. Not all are lucky to flee to greener pastures, and those who had a choice have made it.

The root cause of all ills is a political culture that draws its synergies from the unelected echelons, and in doing so they throw law and constitution to the wind. Few of those who muster courage for defiance, and call for putting the house in order on the merit of tangibles, are dubbed as traitors and outcasts.

With an economy of around $1 trillion, abundance of natural resources, industrious labour, innovative SMEs and a generous diaspora, nothing can stop Pakistan’s rise. But that is not possible with the mania at the helm of affairs. Heads have to roll and stand due retribution. That is indispensable if change has to set in civility. The alternate writing on the wall is a complete breakdown and lawlessness. It is common knowledge that hunger and deprivation have brought down empires.