Tackling Pakistan's key issues

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As the year has begun, my hope and aspiration like millions of my countrymen is that the country takes a turn toward a better future. Our people have suffered for long and the progress the country has made in respect of achieving political stability, economic self-sufficiency and international standing falls far short of what its people deserve. For these failings, the primary responsibility rests with the political leadership. But it would be unfair to single them out. The military's role in politics and the involvement of civil bureaucracy has also contributed to the weakening of the democratic order. However, all this could change for the better if there is a realisation and commitment by all institutions to abide by constitutional and legal norms. We do have a civilian government and a Constitution that lays down a democratic order, but it is greatly handicapped due to its factitious inter-party politics involving PML and PTI and its inability to fully rely on democratic institutions.

After all, the seventy-seven years of experience in Pakistan's short history reminds us that there is no alternative to a democratic order and adhering to constitutional obligations. And this has to be accompanied by government pursuing policies that promote economic growth to empower the people and lift the country. But in this effort too, we have been lagging behind. Pakistan's dependence on economic aid has been there virtually since its birth. Initially, for the first few years, one could understand that there were compelling factors to seek aid. Millions of people - displaced from their homes with their belongings left behind in India - were seeking a new life in Pakistan. In addition, India's designs to annex the entire Kashmir and the two wars with it required that Pakistan's defence budget be sufficiently resourced.

But over the years it was expected that the leadership would manage the affairs of the state and especially its economy that relies on its own resources. But to this date, this has not happened and there is heavy reliance on foreign assistance and loans from IMF and friendly countries. Obviously, this level of dependence for prolonged periods with no certainty or real effort to achieve economic autonomy compromises political independence and is a serious impediment to the uplift of the masses. It is not surprising that 23 per cent of the population of our country still remains poverty-stricken. Some serious underlying issues persist. Areas close to the border in Khyber-Pakhtunkhaw and Balochistan, terrorist activity persists, and deep poverty prevails in certain rural and urban areas. More disturbing is that parts of the country close to the Afghan border are threatened by Talibanisation. The society there has been used to the reality of living in an autonomous region and has yet to fully adapt to the changed reality of a federally-governed democratic Pakistan. The uneven development in the country is a common sight. All these weaknesses are a cause for serious concern.

It is however expected that the policies being adopted by the government and the finance ministry under its present leadership are expected to steer the economy toward greater self-reliance and improving the quality of life of the people. Emphasis on science and technology and the priority accorded to these subjects at the national level will go a long way in building human capital that is in tune with the demands and compulsions of the modern age.

Foreign relations too have been challenging. The highly conflictual relations with India from the very birth of Pakistan required that defence be strengthened and sufficient funds be allotted to the three services. The rationale for Pakistan to join SEATO in 1954 and Cento in 1955 apart from being a close ally of US was also to strengthen the capability of the armed forces to ward off any aggressive venture by India. Pakistan's three services received fairly modern arms and equipment from the US and it was this edge in the quality of weapon systems, apart from the bravery and professional competence of our military and the full backing of the nation, that has thwarted Indian military designs. But for now procuring US arms and equipment is not easy with several restrictions in place. The present state of the country's economy also precludes heavy purchases. China will remain the major and most reliable source for defence arms, equipment and technology.

At present the close strategic relations with China are a great source of strength for Pakistan. Pakistan relies mainly on China for procurement of military equipment. It's assistance in developing the country's indigenous capability for manufacture of weapon systems has been commendable. It is expected that Pakistan will continue to expand its design, development and manufacturing capability of weapons and equipment in the coming years with its own efforts and Chinese support.

There is also, to a large extent, the need for maintaining good relations with the US and European countries. But the country would attract attention and support if it has something substantive to offer. It is necessary for the government to focus on making tourist resorts attractive by ensuring that the security situation is under control and the visitors stay is comfortable.

More fundamental is for the leadership to address poverty and corruption, ensure a peaceful environment and give importance and priority to the rule of law. A cursory look at the state of traffic gives the impression of a lax culture and poor self-discipline. These shortcomings of society need to be corrected as Pakistan cannot project itself as a country that is failing in its obligations and responsibilities towards its citizens.

Jinnah and our founding leaders left a profound legacy of state order and discipline and expected that the incoming leadership will pursue similar ideals and values, but no leader of our country so far genuinely deserve to be given credit for revitalising democracy. They have rather contributed to its decline. Moreover, economic growth is slow and uneven with widespread poverty and meagre domestic and foreign investment.

Clearly, all this has to change if the interests of the country and of our people are to be protected.