Woes Of Pakistan

Pakistan’s entire political history is an epitome of the game of musical chair between dictatorship and democracy. Since 1947 as we are now sitting in 2016, denizens of Pakistan have witnessed for military governments which collectively comprises of over four decades and multifarious political governments for short span of period. People of Pakistan have witnessed great socio-economic development in the eras of military rules especially in the regimes of Gen. Ayub and Gen. Musharraf but, it is poignant that our civilian governments have miserably failed due to their ineptness, before and since. Our politicos have only paved ways for their vested interests. It is acutely embarrassing that instead of being ruled by intelligentsia, we are being governed by sycophants. In retrospect, we can see that military governments have delivered in Pakistan as compared to democratic governments.

After giving a glimpse of Pakistan’s checkered political history, now I would like to shed some light on the woes of Pakistan.

Terrorism and Extremism:

Ruthless corruption, nepotism, terrorism an abysmal economic condition are the biggest problems of Pakistan as we stand today. These curses are impeding our way to become a progressive & prosperous state. As per the statement of federal minister for finance Mr. ISHAQ DAR: “Pakistan suffered loss of $188 Billion during war on terror”. Pakistan has paid hefty price for the war on terror which was never ours. Instead we were dragged into this war with evil design of destabilizing Pakistan. Hitherto, we have lost over 80,000 precious lives (45,000 civilians and 5500 military personnel approx.) as reported by international agency.

Few years back, in Pakistan bomb blasts and terrorist activities were diurnal routine but now as we stand today more stable than ever, by the grace of GOD and endeavors of our military top-brass and civilian ombudsmen Pakistan is ‘infrangible’ today. But, the war is not over yet- we have to take this war game till the end and fight this menace with more vigor and resolve.

National Action Plan [NAP] (which was delineated in all parties’ conference after the deplorable attack on APS Peshawar in 2014) should be implemented in its true spirit. Albeit, it is exercised (to some extent) in parts of Baluchistan, KPK & Karachi- a robust action is also needed against miscreants and extremists in Southern Punjab which is a safe haven for sectarian terrorism.

Corruption and Nepotism:

Corruption has plagued Pakistan from the moment it came into existence. Pakistan is ranked 117 out of 175 countries, according to 2015 corruption perception index reported.

According to DG NAB: “Corruption is a biggest threat to business sector in Pakistan as the country loses at least $133 million everyday due to mega corruption”.

So-called democratic governments has malfunctioned because Pakistan is ruled by small elite- never democratic and usually plutocratic. They install their cronies on key positions which in return do mega corruption and ruin our institution. Since 2008, in a Ping-Pong between PML-N & PPP, we have lend $35 billion (with average of $5 billion per year) and yet we see no evident development in the country. Ergo, this is manifestation of mega corruption of all hues at top-level in center (federal) and provincial governments. It is an hour of need that we do reforms and may be restructuring in the system of accountability and anticorruption policies.

Economic Conundrum:

Economic slowdown is the biggest problem of Pakistan. Ever Since, growth achieved in the Musharraf’s era came crashing down as a hard landing; the economy has struggled to recover. Notwithstanding, all mainstream political parties which are loggerhead with each other on impotent issues, seems to be in disarray on such abysmal economic conditions. The Government is giving an ostensible impression that the economy is on the verge of growth. But, being a business graduate, as per my view it is an illusion and all is not hunky-dory. The economic indicators are telling another side of the story. Currently, as per report of State bank of Pakistan (central bank), Pakistan owes $69.5 billion to external lenders with the total external and domestic debts of $200 billion which means every denizen of Pakistan is indebted at $1000 approximately.

Pakistan’s exports stands at 184,497PKR million and imports at 445,466PKR million & gap is widening which is a quite alarming.

But, I am highly optimistic that Pakistan could be poised for a growth in 2017.

Solutions:

As per my hunch (an educated one), following are some remedies to the woes of Pakistan:

• Restructuring of system
• Electoral reforms
• Formation of a supra-body (National Security Council) encompassing the heads of key institutions for top-level accountability
• Judicial reforms
• Welfare of the people of Pakistan
• Vibrant economic policies
• Implementation on Nation Action Plan