It
is globally recognized that the success of any nation is judged by three main
factors, namely prosperity, progress and peace. These 3 Ps can be made possible
with well thought out and well considered policies based on thorough research
and reliable statistical data, which are under taken with a realistic approach
and determination.
The
three factors of any country namely economy, internal security and external
policy are correlated and inter-dependent for coordinated performance. Let us
critically review the status of implementation of these 3 factors which have
given rise to developed countries as they have categorically committed not to
compromise on these three factors, come what may.
Hence
the important lesson learnt from the developed nations in policy making is that
we should constitute realistic and workable policies depending on our
geographical and economic requirements and keeping in view our GDP, balance of
payment, internal and external debts, agricultural growth, and our foreign
exchange reserves.
If
we overview the last six years of the “Five Years Development Plan” of the
Planning and Development Division, we would see invariably that the framework
is based on the fudged figures. According to this plan the exports are
projected to grow at 3.6 percent per annum, while imports will grow at 5
percent per annum. The estimated exports for year 2015-16 were $25,547 billion
whereas actually the total exports declined to $20,802 billion. The
month-on-month analysis shows that country’s exports are declining by 9.8
percent. Recently the government announced that by the end of 2018, Pakistan
will achieve $35 billion of exports with a significant decrease in imports
however the reality seems to be at odds as the nation’s trade gap has increased
up to 60 percent inclining more towards imports.
Similarly
the total public debt to GDP was estimated to be 62 percent for year 2015-16,
whereas it actually crossed 66 percent. Moreover, the foreign debt displayed an
increase of 28 percent and went from Rs4.796tr in 2013 to Rs6.14tr in 2016.
The
value of Pak rupees has also plunged down 3.1 percent to 108.1 against dollar breaking
records of nine years. Similarly the development budget is also underutilized.
In the year 2016 the ministries utilised around Rs.177 billion in the first 10
months against 259 billion where as it should have used not less than 80
percent of the budget for development. Meanwhile Baluchistan government
utilised only one third of its education budget of year 2016 which could build
almost 2900 primary schools and educate 430,000 children. Similarly 47 percent
of the education budget was underutilized by the KP government.
We
witness a blame game between the federal and the provincial governments. The
federal government is of the view point that it is due to the incompetence and
lack of efficiency of the provincial governments that the budget is not fully
utilised for development purposes whereas the provincial governments complain
that the delay in the release of funds from the centre is the actual cause of
underutilisation of the budget.
The
figures mentioned earlier undeniably indicate that there are some serious
lacunas / lapses either in working of the statistical data or figures are being
fudged. Thus it looks like a deliberate effort by the government to look better
in performance than the previous government.Moreover, our internal security
also largely depends upon our economics and peace I believe is a major factor
for the economic growth and development. Peace cannot be brought unless the law
enforcement is done without discrimination by the capable and able law
enforcers. The law enforcers cannot bring in rule of law unless they are fully
equipped, trained and well paid. It is unfortunate that none of this is done
due to the non-availability of funds. As per police budget 2015-16, 80 percent
of the budget is utilised in pays and allowances whereas only 2 percent for
training, 7 percent for fuel and 10 percent for other departmental operations.
Moreover,
the process of fund transfer is exceptionally slow therefore it compels the
policemen to arrange the resources own their own in order to perform the day to
day activities. Unfortunately, In March 2017, one of the ASI from Chakwal took
his life because of the work load and lack of resources provided. He mentioned
in his suicide note that he had not received salary for last 3 months. So one
must ponder that how can policemen work to protect us when their basic needs
are not even taken care of.
In
order to get out of this mess, the rulers must ensure a well thought policy for
coming 15 years and work in such a way that Pakistan becomes a need for other countries.
It can only be done by studying the contents of such nations who have
previously improved their weaknesses, as it is the right way to progress, peace
and prosperity.
I
on my part have also identified the reasons for the failure of our policy. Reasons
for failure are unending. Following are a few, which serve as a food for
thought and retrospection; from 1947 to 1958 change of governments in quick
succession, seven PMs in 11 years. Imposition of four martial laws 1958 1969
1977 and 1999 had catastrophic effect on national institutions like legislative
executive and judiciary and undermined rule of law. More so, short life of
national policies Ayyub’s policy of industrialisation through private sector
was reversed by ZAB. In turn Zia ul haq rolled back nationalisation introduced
by Bhutto. Elected PMs of 90s have been trying to subvert each other’s
policies. Furthermore the disconnected, divergent and mutually antagonistic
policies of successive governments were nonstarters and suffered inherent weaknesses.
Moreover,
terrorism, Taliban, civil disorder and political mafias like in Karachi
contributed to the failure of policies.
The
research trends show that most of the policies like foreign policy, economic
policy, and external policies have not been taken up seriously since
independence despite having the best brains and best resources; man power,
mountains, minerals, forests and deserts.
I
have a question to the planners; can they tell the nation that what steps did
they take to explore the right type of mining in Baluchistan and other parts of
the country? Why has the government not allocated the maximum funds to the law
enforcement agencies as this is a vital and an elementary necessity which is
indispensable for economic safety? Why has the government failed to stop
brain-drain from the country, and also has failed to capture/utilise the best
I.T. experts for the country?
I
therefore demand that well thought out policies be made for apt utilisation of
the resources under a strict monitoring body, making the process of
implementation of those policies exclusive of corruption and biasness. It is
time that we stand for our nation and not for the individuals. So let us look
into the
future
and work together to face the upcoming challenges and make achievable polices
to benefit our coming generations because the policies of our past must not
define our future but provide us with the guidelines to learn from our
mistakes.
The Article has
been published in “THE NATION” on September 26, 2017.
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