Another year in Pakistan. Another year of talks of economic recovery. People of Pakistan think whether these are yet political slogans or the gifts of feudal democracy which exists in Pakistan. The people of Pakistan are getting tired by the day which could mean only two things that either a nuclear power nation either implodes or explodes. The probability of imploding or some form of internal revolution looks more possible where the 98% of the 250 million population would be reacting to the continuous financial distress, they have been under for the last decade without much relenting. The hope of recovery is nowhere to be seen for the masses. The reason I say so because the current measures being rolled out some on behest of IMF all of which may not be wrong too is giving an ominous look. 

A story:

The question is that why the status quo is not changing means those responsible for the current crises are still seen as part of the solution to the problem. Let me explain to you why this is not workable with a small story popular in some areas of the country. It goes like this that there was a village where there was a well. The well was the main source of water supply to the village. One day a “Donkey” fell in the water well and died. The stench arising out of water made people realize about the problem as they continued consuming from it. The area’s wise man was the main source of knowledge at that time. All the people gathered and went to him and asked him how to make the water in the well drinkable again. The wise man advised to draw out 40 buckets and throw. The villagers did that, but the problem persisted. They again went to the wise man and asked him for another solution. The wise man this time advised to draw out 80 buckets which the villagers did. The problem remained. The next time there were 120 buckets drawn out and then 200 the next. But the stench in the water persisted. A meeting was called, and all gathered including the wise man. Some mocked him for not giving the right advise. Some recommended let’s take loan of water from neighbors, some suggested of digging a new well which means would need money again meaning loan on interest from one lender. The wise man was perplexed. It was decided that they would appoint one leader and send him to surround villages for loans. A big committee was also formed. The wise man who could not hold his disbelief asked softly being on defensive. Can I ask one last question? Many villagers didn’t want to hear but some seniors agreed. The wise man asked “Before you all started drawing out water as per my advice. Did anyone get the dead donkey out of the well or not?”. None of the villagers acknowledged. Once the donkey got pulled out and disposed. The water in the well became drinkable again. Now you all must be thinking what this story has linkage to Pakistan’s economy. “What a waste of time” some would have said. But in my defense, all I would say for a moment imaging “People of Pakistan as Villagers”, “Wise man all the intellectuals of the country or foreign advisers perhaps like IMF” and by now I am sure you would have guessed that “Donkeys would mean the existing lot of corrupt politicians and accomplices in this country”. Until and unless the corrupt lot is not thrown out the efforts by the people and all the good advice by all the world would not clear the mess the country is in currently. 

Irony in leadership:

Each time a serious effort is done, or voices raised against such elements. Such thought leaders saw their fate either in a 6 x 6 cell or 6 feet deep or in the exile.  I am not a big fan of Imran Khan and a supporter. The only problem I see with him is that he needs to be a politician though his intentions are sincere for Pakistan. He is serving term for some watches but at the same time world renowned “Mr. 10%” is leading Pakistan as the President of this country. I was hearing one interview on YouTube where one person who knows the President from the past tells that how from 250 acres of land some other businesses, he may hold 200k acres today. Of course, no one would be able to catch him with the kind of money he holds. But the nation saluted him during the parade of March 23^rd. Then there is the Prime Minister current; both leading parties charging each other of corruption but today they are allies in commerce may not be in politics. Either they lied to us all these years, or their masks are off. Imran’s party only got momentum as people got sick and tired of these two parties. Ironically, he himself sits in jail. Some people may call it fate but with every passing day as you hear of collusion it looks more like a conspiracy. The collusion is clear that the corrupt would suit the world and powers in Pakistan to control the nation as per their wishes as a Cash cow if they can. 

No wonder, the international institutions are reluctant to give Pakistan a blank cheque as they know that the Donkey is still in the well. They support only this much so that a nuclear powered 250 million population state don’t become a “Rogue state”. 

Problem 1: Well, the argument to counter me could easily be done if tax network is broadened like in Agriculture which is 20% of the GDP and is out of tax net mainly benefitting the feudal who become richer by the day and control the democracy and the system of Pakistan. The kind of money which they must remain in power where today more than 50% sitting in the assemblies or more come from feudal background as a common man could not afford to compete with them due to lacking resources. The tax exemption is not reaching those tilling the lands otherwise the number of 70% population living below abject poverty level where more than 80% of which lives in rural Pakistan ruled by Feudal elite would not be in this condition. Even the bit of effort under new schools and hospitals in the rural areas are thanks to NGO’s especially in Sindh and Baluchistan. I would say to those who tell me I am wrong prove me wrong. 

Problem 2: The effective taxpayers and that too salaried class standing at 1 million for the last decade where the population growth has reached 250 million and no sincere effort to increase this to the real estate or retailers (who contribute 17% of the GDP with only 1% of the taxation); till the time this is not broadened and proved otherwise. I would say to those who tell me I am wrong to prove me wrong. 

Problem 3: Borrowing money at high interest rates and investing in to achieve political goals and corruption targets with minimal ROI would never pull out of nation out of turmoil. Countries develop their port cities as hub for trade. Whilst the main port city has been gifted to PPP with no control. It is ironic to see that under the new SIFC as well as talks of new investments in Pakistan there are no special mentions for any project to upgrade Karachi’s infra structure as well as make it more adaptable for investors including security. Instead, projects are more promoted in areas where the ROIs are not enough to repay these loans. 

Problem 4: No major effort to increase the quality of manpower and competing in international markets. The hope from IT is good but please bear in mind. We are almost 10 years late and unless we have specialized HR and capabilities which can out do developed providers; we would not be able to compete and achieve the expected goals.

Till the time, resources are spent based on merit by right people the nation can’t progress and that is not possible till the Donkeys are in the well. 

My solution:

Now you would say, there is only criticism in my blog where are the solutions. Though the solution is given for the eyes and ears of the beholder. One quick fix could be immediately creating an “Export Processing Zone in Karachi” where city is declared as “Export Capital of Pakistan” inviting investors to develop their businesses and from the investments received at least 50% of which spent to upgrade city’s infrastructure like roads, mass transit, circular railways, desalination plant, K4 and K5 water supply , dedicated nuclear power electric supply, hospital and training centers/universities  and a special security force for protecting the investors of the few . I can assure you that this would not only give the highest ROI but at the same time but would assist in doubling the GDP in next 10 years apart from increasing the tax revenue organically. The policy should be at least for another 50 years at least, and all political stakeholders onboarded. 20% of the profits from this project should contribute directly to Pakistan’s defense needs and 10% to support the other areas educational and health care system across the country to generate manpower for local consumption and export. This area should be given status of some autonomy to keep out of clutches of the political system of the province and monitored by a special committee at federal level comprising of stakeholders from elected representatives, armed forces, judiciary, businessmen councils apart from representation of the investors. Mark my words the issues for Pakistan would be solved for good. But I am sure no one would bother as it doesn’t take care of the feudal and a certain political or ethnic elite of Pakistan. I would be discouraged and may soon be even labeled as a traitor like Mehboob ul Haque a few decades ago. But then again, we would keep on trying for our posterity, 

Conclusion:

I have no political stake where people seek power for themselves, but we seek power for the people. Call me socialist. Be it. But I strongly belief that the unequal distribution of wealth and burden of taxation would only bring chaos and relentless revolutions like “French Revolution” which again saw the country handed over to a new monarchy after all calmed down. All the executions and deaths were wasted. 

Will Pakistan stop running in circles? Will Pakistan adopt Merit? Will the establishment realize their mistakes and unite the nation? Will the Donkey ever be thrown out of the well? Though I am doubtful but very hopeful at the same time. The day would come Inshallah. – Pakistan Zindabad!