Pakistan

No free lunch, no easy solution

Written

2 years ago

May 08, 2021 02:55 AM

Tahir Malik

There should be no doubt that when in 1996 Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) was launched, it’s aim was to end corruption in the country.

Tahir Malik

Throughout Imran Khan’s political career, his focus was always centered on looted wealth; on the ardaris and the Sharifs. However, today, it seems like perhaps for Imran Khan, the removal of Zardari and Sharif represented an easy solution to the problems Pakistan faces. As opposed to changing the system, reforming the administration, making a team and planning, the eradication of the two rivals seemed like a much easier step to take.

It was not too difficult to brand the two “thieves” and build the impression that inflation, joblessness, injustices and systemic ills were all because of former rulers. It was easy then to sell the simplistic formula that the eradication of PML-N and PPP governments would automatically lead to the end of all problems.

Ironic then, that today the biggest pitfall that faces the government is the extremely simple solution it offered to these extremely complex problems.

Who can forget what Imran Khan had said before becoming Prime Minister? “I will commit suicide rather than going to the IMF [International Monetary Fund],” he had pledged. Who can forget that Asad Umar and Mian Atif were presented to the country as their economic saviors? According to Murad Saeed, now a Minister, as soon as PTI would form a government, it would bring back $200 billion of Pakistan’s looted wealth and pay off all international loans.

Today Pakistan is not ruled by Asif Ali Zardari. Nawaz Sharif is not the ruler in Islamabad. Imran Khan is sitting in the Premier’s seat since almost three years. The former two have been to jail. They have been bombarded with cases upon cases. But “Naya Pakistan” remains unchanged from the older one. Corruption continues unabated. The common citizen has received no relief. Inflation and unemployment rage on. The dreams of the youth are still shattered.

Affordable housing hasn’t been built, jobs have not been created. Necessary goods are outside the reach of the average citizen. Utility prices remain high.

In short, neither the departure of Zardari, nor the removal of Sharif has resulted in any kind of change. In many ways, matters have become worse, giving rise to more anxiety and hopelessness among the masses. The reason for all this is Imran Khan himself and the though process that PTI refuses to change.

Believing that the simple act of bringing Imran into power will be a universal panacea is something we must all now be concerned with. Compare PTI government’s performance to that of Zardari and Nawaz Sharif. The former has raised the price of gas and electricity by almost 30%. Circular debt has reached the horrifying figure of Rs. 2400 billion, and are projected to reach Rs. 3800 by 2025. Electricity costs, raised a stunning 22 times already, are set to be raised once again. Clarified butter [desi ghee] is more expensive by Rs. 200 while cow’s milk is more expensive by Rs. 100. Fuel and petroleum products have risen by Rs. 40 per liter. Vegetables, the staple food for all poor households, have also become more costly, by Rs. 40 to Rs. 100 per liter.

Burdened by the continuing destruction of the economy, industries are now mulling downsizing their staff by as much as 20%. Eid holidays, brought about by a covid wave, might result in a Rs. 11 billion daily loss to our export sector. Speaking of coronavirus, that brings its own set of problems quite unique to us. Sputnik, the vaccine developed by Russia, is retailing for Rs. 750 in India, while here it is being sold by Rs. 12,500.

In corruption indexes, we have been on a steady freefall. FDI has been reduced by 27% in just seven months.

Three years in power preceded by 22 years of struggle have ended in these depressing figures. Not one day of these years was spent on planning for resolving the country’s many issues. All that the party and its Chairman planned was to refer to Asif Ali Zardari and Nawaz Sharif as “thieves”. Perhaps they really did believe that all that nothing more than this over simplistic step was required.

As they say, it is not easy to fool all the people all the time, but PTI has surely fooled itself for 25 years now.

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Tahir Malik

Tahir Malik is a seasoned journalist and analyst at GNN

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Similarly, the price of silver per tola reduced Rs10 and came to Rs2620 and the 10 grams silver price reached to Rs2246.22 with the reduction of Rs8.58.

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Islamabad: Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar on Thursday said 'highly successful' second visit of Prime Minister to Saudi Arabia within a month to participate in the World Economic Forum, was historic and major development, which would eventually bring about extensive positive results within next few months.

Addressing a press conference along with Federal Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar, he said comprehensive planning by Saudi Arabia for investment in Pakistan was a turning point in the bilateral relations.

Tarar said that multiple meetings were held with the Saudi ministers on the sidelines of the WEF during the Prime Minister’s visit. “In two days, 12 high-level meetings were held with ministers and major personalities of Saudi Arabia including ministers for finance, industries, investment, energy and climate change”, he said.

The Saudi ministers expressed their commitment to work with Pakistan with regard to bilateral cooperation and investment on the special directives of Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman, he added.

Within a short span of just one month, the Prime Minister had two meetings with the Saudi Crown Prince that had a historic significance for the two brotherly countries.

He said immediately after Eidul Fitr, the Saudi Finance Minister visited Pakistan along with relevant ministers and extensive consultations were held regarding economic cooperation
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On the directives of the Saudi Crown Prince, the Saudi ministers formulated a comprehensive programme for cooperation with Pakistan , he added.

The minister said that it was was the new robust initiative in Pakistan-Saudi relations, and the specific results of the Prime Minister’s historic visit have started to come to fore.

Attaullah Tarar said that in follow-up to the PM’s Saudi visit, a delegation of Saudi businessmen was also coming to Pakistan in the next few days.

“This is the outcome of successful foreign policy of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif “, he said, adding that the exchange of delegations will continue between the two brotherly countries. He said that a delegation of Pakistani ministers including Petroleum Minister Mussadaq Malik, Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal, Minister for Energy Awais Laghari and officials of Special Investment Facilitation Council had reached Saudi Arabia a day before Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and returned one day after him as they held meetings on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum.

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He opined that there must be an end to any harassment, including online and said suggestions should be put forward to the government on how to counter such campaigns.

He said that there was also call for specific authority to address the issue of online harassment as at present there was no law to protect digital rights of consumers.

He said it was imperative to avert propaganda and rumors on social media and ensure the protection of people’s digital rights.

He said it was high time to take measures to prevent trends on social media targeting specific persons. He said it was necessary to create awareness among the general public about their digital rights.

He said that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had issued directives for increasing the wheat procurement target to facilitate the farmers who contributed heavily in the rural economy.