The cost of missing strategic imprudence

Strategic imprudence means a mindset which is confused, retrogressive, unwise and hollow. When a nation is strategically prudent in framing its economy, governance, rule of law, political discourse and mode of development, it is bound to succeed. China, South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan and Malaysia are the examples where the leadership within a span of five decades pulled off miracles, transforming their countries from poor, under-developed and illiterate to prosperous and modern.

The Gulf countries like the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and Saudi Arabia which till 1960s were under-developed with poor infrastructure and weak economy are now known for a better quality of life of their people and high per capita income, GDP and economic growth rate.

In early 1970s when Pakistan had experienced the trauma of its disintegration in December 1971, it was quoted for having a world class airline, a respected passport, high economic growth rate and growing industrialisation. But, the erosion of strategic prudence on the part of its leadership led to the surge of corruption, nepotism, extremism, violence and terrorism. Due to this lack of strategic prudence, ruling elites failed to control surging population and prevent food, fuel, water and economic crises. When the absence of strategic planning created a situation in which more than 40% of the population lives below the poverty line and 22 million children are out of school, Pakistan is categorised as a fragile state.

The recent flood in Pakistan which devastated its agriculture and uprooted millions of people is not a new phenomenon. Melting of glaciers and deforestation tend to cause excessive rains and floods which could have been prevented had there been strategic prudence on the part of state and societal actors. Once the floods are over, reports about dwindling water level in Pakistan's mega dams like Tarbela and Mangla will be reported in the press leading to excessive shortage of water during winter, spring and summer.

The Pakistani nation is so resilient in coping with natural disasters and its economic fallout that it doesn't care about their leadership adopting a long-term strategic planning to save the country from periodic floods and drought.

Strategic imprudence can be dealt with if those who wield power are serious, honest and professional in their actions. When floods inundate farmlands and towns and cities of Pakistan, there is talk about building dams and reservoirs for storing flood water, but nothing happens. For the time being, there a talk in the media and official circles about storing flood water so that it doesn't inundate populated areas. But the lack of seriousness on the part of policymakers to do adequate brainstorming and take practical steps to store flood water in the form of dams and water reservoirs is bound to cause devastation next year.

A creative and an innovative mind provide solution to problems faced by people in the form of floods, economic predicament, frustration among youths and political instability. Why do those who are duty-bound to provide better planning at federal and provincial levels not take cue from Bahria Town Karachi where small dams have been constructed to store rain water and use it for plantation and other purposes. Because of this innovative idea of storing rain water, Bahria Town was not inundated with rain water.

If Bahria Town can prevent urban flooding, why are similar initiatives not taken in other parts of Karachi and Pakistan? On the contrary, lust and greed for money led to the sinking of various housing societies in Lahore which were constructed along Ravi River. When the government is least concerned about preventing the construction of housing societies, roads and highways on riverbed, the outcome is human disaster. How flood water in Malir, Lyari, Ravi rivers caused havoc is a case in point.

The reality of strategic imprudence tends to cause irreparable damage to Pakistan's economy, governance and infrastructure. Focusing on the devastation caused by recent floods, one needs to identify factors which contribute to the lack of strategic prudence on the part of those who are supposed to prevent wastage of flood water and assure its proper conversation. Unless meaningful efforts are made for reforestation, preventing the excessive use of fossil fuel and other measures to protect environment, Pakistan will continue to experience floods. Melting of glaciers at a faster pace will also add to the predicament of those living in mountainous regions.

The lack of strategic prudence to deal with climate change and periodic floods needs to be examined form three sides.

First, strategic prudence in the form of wisdom is created at the grassroots level. When at school, college and university level, students are taught about the use and significance of planning and designing of institutions and structures to better economy, environment and education, one can expect the country to effectively deal with critical issues. When awareness, consciousness and ownership are inculcated at the educational level about conserving water, food and energy and growing trees, one can hope that in the coming 25 years, Pakistan will be better in terms of environment.

Pakistan has no dearth of people who are hardworking and intelligent. What is lacking is a prudent and practical approach to deal with small things that matter. How change at the grassroots level will have a positive impact on Pakistan's culture, state and society on conserving water, food and fuel cannot be denied. What is required is will and determination as well as training to instil professionalism among students to care about resources.

Second, the role of state is fundamental in planning conservation of water during floods and rainy season so that it is not wasted. In the 2025 floods, millions of people have suffered because of illegal construction of housing societies and roads on river bed. It was the state's responsibility to prevent such type of constructions. But, the nexus between timber and construction mafias caused enormous damage to people, their crops and livestock.

Finally, both the state and society should learn from decades of negligence, corruption and nepotism which has augmented the predicament of people. Had deforestation not taken place and adequate planning been done to conserve flood and rain water, people wouldn't have been uprooted. Instead of blaming Mother Nature or the neighbouring country for floods, there is need to deal with internal faults.