Remembering My Late Father: Senator Abdul Rehman Malik by Ali Rehman Malik

 

Ali Rehman Malik

  It is with great difficulty and a heavy and burdensome heart that I lift       my pen     today to write a few lines in the memory of my late father,         senior leader of          Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Abdul Rehman        Malik. From a humble background, he rose to serve Pakistan in the capacity of the Director General  Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), a Senator and as yet, the longest serving  Minister for Interior, who left us bereaved forever on February 23, 2022.

His rise is a testament to what one man can achieve against the odds through the sheer tenacity of his will, through hard work, an unassailable adherence to his principles and an undying love for his country and its people.

I have yet not reconciled to the fact that my loving father is no more and I will no longer be able to bask in the sunshine of his affection. My heart is aching at being deprived of his blessings and of the unconditional love of a father who was always alert to our needs and happiness, even before we were aware of them. It breaks my heart that his grandchildren will never be able to meet the greatest man I ever had the honour of knowing. Apart from being a devoted father, he was a great and compassionate human being who always cared for others and who was always concerned about the problems of the poor and oppressed.

The ripples of the kindnesses he extended to people from all walks of life are only coming to me now, after his passing, as in his humility, never did he mention the help he had extended to those in need during his life. Never was his door closed to one in need.

 

With Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Bakhtawar Bhutto Zardari & Aseefa Bhutto Zardari

He had a strong desire to help hardworking boys and girls, men and women, to achieve what they were capable of achieving, and not be hindered by societal and economic circumstances. He was so considerate about others that while admitted in the hospital, he forbade not only our family members from visiting him in the room, but even those who came to inquire about his health, even though he tested negative for coronavirus.

 The memory that will haunt me forever but will also remind me of his care for others, was during his last moments before going on the ventilator, as his heart rate climbed higher than 170, as doctors were preparing to intubate him, as he was staring the possibility of death straight in the face, he had the care in his heart to push my outreached hand out of the way and forbade me from touching him to protect me from catching the virus that took his life.

 

The outpouring of nationwide grief and support that has come from all quarters is a touching reminder of his selfless nature. He was a symbol of strength and power, yet so full of love and humour: A truly great force, a soul that descends to this earth perhaps once in a generation.

 My father’s most noteworthy characteristic was that anyone who came to seek his help or favour was attended to with great alacrity and while the applicant could have probably forgotten that he ever made a request, my father never did. He immediately tried to redress the grievance and would ask his staff to call the applicant to inform them about the status of his request. One thing that I have observed closely is that he never led an easy and comfortable life but rather always followed Quaid-e-Azam’s principle: ‘work, work and work’. Despite our requests to take a break and some rest, he gave preference to work. We, the family, would seek his attention while traveling with him, but found him doing one thing or another. He always valued time and never wasted a minute, but today, however, we wish he had spent his whole life just sitting and talking with us.

It is perhaps human to think one will have more time. More time to talk about the things left unsaid, to share the love still left unshared, and to do all those seemingly little things that inevitably become the big things, once the person has departed. I feel like he had dedicated his whole life to his country, his party, and the people of Pakistan, and that was always his mission. No force on this earth could have changed his unquenchable desire to bring justice to those in need of it. He never desired more money than he needed. He was a simple man, with very simple tastes. Even when we managed to steal him away abroad for a rare short holiday, he would only ever eat daal and roti.

 He would sit for hours in deep meditation, evaluating national situations in his mind, which it must be said at this juncture, was an incredibly sharp mind to the last—able to cut through the frill and pomp of any circumstance and tackle the issue at the root. This, combined with his years of experience as an investigator, and his wide breadth of knowledge of both national and international geopolitical issues and systems made him into the undeniable force of nature that he was.

 As a senior FIA officer, he carried out innumerable difficult and extremely dangerous tasks and conducted many high-profile investigations and raids which required not only wisdom, intelligence and foresight, but also bravery. In 1995, the Government of Pakistan conferred upon him the Sitara-e-Shujaat gallantry award for his valour, and in 2012, the Nishan-e-Imtiaz, during his tenure as Interior Minister of Pakistan, in the most challenging time of terrorism, because instead of staying behind secure walls, he challenged the terrorists openly and fought against them on the front line. Whenever there was an unfortunate incident of terrorism anywhere across Pakistan, he rushed to the spot fearlessly. A day after the APS Peshawar massacre, I called him to inquire about his well being, but I found out that he was in Peshawar and was sitting with the families of the martyred school children, giving them support. When hundreds of innocent people were killed in a terrorist attack in the far flung, then tribal area, of Parachinar and all roads to the town were blocked, he requested the Air Chief for the provision of a helicopter and reached there, although his landing was not allowed due to threats on the ground. He could never remain away from his people and always took maximum risks to reach out to them in times of trouble.

 

Late Abdul Rehman Malik's book 'Top 100 Investigations'

We had never imagined that the coronavirus, about which my father was the first in Pakistan to take notice—as the Chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Interior, he was creating awareness among the people and had alerted the government about its devastating consequences on our society and economy—would one day take his life. He was the first who had called the meeting of Senate Standing Committee on Interior on an urgent basis when the pandemic broke out in our neighbouring countries and proposed a 27-point plan to counter coronavirus to the government. He also wrote letters to the United Nations Secretary-General, DG WHO and Mr Bill Gates requesting them to help Pakistan and other developing countries during the pandemic, while also pleading to thoroughly investigate the origin of coronavirus.

Besides four other books, he had also written one on coronavirus titled, “Coronavirus: A Threat to National Security” in a very short period. There was not a single issue of national and public importance—whether it was terrorism or any foreign conspiracy against Pakistan in FATF, the World Bank, and the IMF—on which my late father had remained silent. He always took the initiative to raise his voice for the country and the nation at every forum without caring for his life.

He wrote several letters to the FATF President about discrimination against Pakistan and the favouring of India and had charge sheeted Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his unprecedented crimes against humanity in Indian Illegally Occupied Kashmir. He wrote a book, ‘Bleeding Kashmir’ exposing Indian forces’ brutalities and the ‘Modi War Doctrine’ in which he elaborated on Modi’s war crimes and malicious intentions of pushing the region into war and terror. He had also written several letters to the Prime Minister of Pakistan urging him to take the case of war crimes in Indian Occupied Kashmir to the United Nations and the International Court of Justice (ICJ). He always stood by the oppressed people of Kashmir, raised his voice for them at every forum, and always participated in their protests. He said that seeing an Independent Kashmir, free from India’s cruel clutches, was the dream of his life.

Addressing Press Conference at his residence on FATF decision 

Many friends, including family members, advised him not to speak so harshly against terrorists as they could target him, but he always dismissed our fears saying that terrorists are enemies of humanity and Pakistan and he can never be a silent spectator to their cruelty. He said that the night destined in the grave can never be spent at home. His love for Pakistan was matchless and it was the most difficult time of his life that he spent away from Pakistan during his exile; the return to his beloved homeland, seeming like a distant possibility at the time.

 After he retired from the Senate of Pakistan, the family urged him to spend some time with his loved ones and to get some rest, but he always said that he could never stop serving his country.

I have never seen such a generous and kind person in my life who had not the slightest hatred for anyone in his heart. He was always forgiving and did not teach us to despise anyone for any reason. In his long career, he made friends at every step, and in his legacy, he left us love, respect, care, loyalty, helping others, and generosity and left no hatred and enmity for us. Whenever we talked to him or asked him about his political opponents, my father used to say that his opponents were his strength, which never let him be lazy and always forced him to struggle hard, so that he could face them with grace and dignity. He used to advise us that instead of wasting time defeating enemies, use the precious energy to elevate yourself, and that way you will have more positivity, less animosity, and more peace and happiness in your life.

Once, he said that only the weak think of revenge against their enemies. He always forgave those who spoke against him, those who made false accusations, those who did evil behind his back, and those who pulled his leg but rather always stood by those who asked him for help. He loved and respected people of every religion, sect and race and was a great messenger of interfaith harmony for the promotion of which he had taken many initiatives. He always spoke for the rights of minorities, of women and of every subjugated section of our society.

He was not born with a silver spoon in his mouth and was proud of his relatively humble beginnings. Whenever he met students from various universities of the country, he would mention his unprivileged background and always taught them to believe in their capabilities and hard work with dedication and devotion. He used to tell us about the difficulties he had faced as a student and his daily struggles as he was a self-made person. Despite all difficulties, he worked tirelessly to obtain a master’s degree in statistics from Karachi University and began his career at the same university. The same university later honoured him with an honorary PhD degree for his services to the country and as a pride for its alumni. He was a man who believed in constant struggle which led him to achieve the highest position in the politics of Pakistan, bravely overcoming all challenges. He had, in the last year of his life, started the Institute of Research and Reforms (IRR), a non-governmental body, with the aim to bring about social and economic reforms for the betterment of the common man—a legacy, which I will now carry forth.

My father’s devotion and respect for Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto were beyond comparison. Whenever we remembered the time we had spent with her in exile, tears would well up in my father’s eyes. My father stayed steadfast with his leader Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto during the long exile, and they were highly excited for their return to their beloved country.

 

With Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto in London in 2004

However, on the day they returned, they faced a huge bomb blast near Karsaz Karachi, in which hundreds of PPP workers were martyred. Our father used to tell us about his memories associated with Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and her mother Begum Nusrat Bhutto as he, then Director FIA had also investigated the murder of Shahnawaz Bhutto, a detailed account of which can be found in his book.

For my father, Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto was his leader, his sister and his mentor, and during her exile, he left no stone unturned in her service, assistance, and care. My father had reserved his residence in the UK for the party’s political activities where later she signed the historic Charter of Democracy (CoD) with Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif. 

Today my father is no longer amongst us and the whole house seems empty, devoid of his energy and zest for life. A vacuum that no one could ever fill. It is strange to us but we feel we will never be alone in his memory. In his legacy, he has left with us an undying desire to serve the nation, loyalty to the country, adherence to Bhutto’s philosophy, compassion for the poor and needy, raising our voices for the oppressed and standing with the truth which we, my brother Umar and I, will carry forward. We are grateful to all those who gave us love and support during this difficult time of our lives.

With his sons; Ali Rehman Malik & Umar Rehman Malik

The writer Ali Rehman Malik is a barrister living between Islamabad and London. He is the oldest son of Abdul Rehman Malik and the Chairman of the Institute of Research and Reforms (IRR). He tweets @AliRehmanMalik3 and can be reached at alirmalik963@gmail.com

Note: The article was published in The Nation on April 17 and 18, 2022. Link to the original article is : https://nation.com.pk/authorpost/columnist/ali-rehman-malik/

Ukraine Invasion by Senator A. Rehman Malik

The recent statement of Tajik president in favor of the Tajik Taliban and against the Afghan Taliban should be taken seriously as Tajikistan is a very close strategic partner of the US whereas its economy and defence is fully dependent on Russia. The present Russian troops can take over Tajikistan in no time. The President of Tajikistan has backed Russia to invade Ukraine which is perhaps the only choice available with president Tajikistan.

There will be another migration of Tajik Taliban refugees from Tajikistan to Afghanistan which will create further problems.

The recent reports on the talks between Resident Joe Biden and President Vladimir Putin should be worrying for the world. According to the available reports, Russia is fully ready to attack Ukraine and the arrangements to attack on Ukraine are:

As per the intelligence reports the US has shared information regarding the buildup of Russian forces for rapid and large-scale military action against Ukraine. The American assessment is that Russia is planning to attack Ukraine within this month.

The troops could cross into Ukraine from Crimea, the Russian border, as well as via Belarus with about 100 battalion tactical groups. The strength comes to about 100,000 soldiers.

Moscow had also called up tens of thousands of reserves. It is also noteworthy that on February 1, 2022, Russia will enforce the national standard of urgent burials in wartime.

As per the US assessment, it is also felt that the Russian invasion of Ukraine is likely to happen. As per the intelligence reports, the US has shared information regarding the buildup of Russian forces for a rapid and large-scale military action against Ukraine. The American assessment on which the diplomacy has been briefed assumes that Russia is planning to attack Ukraine at the earliest. The troops could cross into Ukraine from Crimea.

Let us hope and pray that the dialogue in Geneva on Ukraine row is settled between the US and Russia. If it is not settled then serious troubles are expected to happen in central Asia and their effects will be on Afghanistan too if Tajikistan is treated like Crimea by Russia as being reported by the western media.

Russia will be replicating the attack on Ukraine like it did on Afghanistan in 1979 and also on Georgia in 2008. In the given situation, the US is likely to retain its geopolitical hold through its allies in Central Asia. The US has also announced sanctions against Russia if Ukraine is attacked and it has threatened other courses of action too. It is important to mention that the US has got a stronghold in Tajikistan with the following written understanding:

This war will be more harmful for Russia and it may become the signature for the next world war. The international community must ask why Russia wants to invade Ukraine.

President Putin perceives that Ukraine is a vital buffer for Russian security. In the last two centuries; invaders from Europe ravaged Russia. In 1812, Napoleon attacked Russia, defeating the Russian army and the German invasion of Russia was also into Ukraine in 1941.

American annoyance with Russia for interfering in Ukraine is quite obvious from the statement of the US administration. The Biden administration retreated its warnings to Russia over a potential invasion of Ukraine stating that, “We have been clear that there will be significant consequences for Russia’s attacks. The penalties would be coordinated closely with US allies and partners and would severely damage Russia’s economy. Such a move would also result in NATO capabilities being moved closer to Russia.”

The role of anti-Afghan Taliban factions in Tajikistan is becoming more visible by every passing day. The president of Tajikistan has said that his government will not recognise the Taliban rule over Afghanistan unless the ethnic Tajik minority is accorded a “worthy role” in running of the country by other countries. Emomali Rahmon made these remarks recently:

Afghanistan unrest has sparked a surge of eth no-patriotism among some quarters in Tajikistan. The democratic party of Tajikistan, earlier this month deployed the ethnic card by talking in a public appeal about how and what happening in Afghanistan was a “genocide of the Taliban carried out against non-Pashtun people.”

It is also very worrying that this invasion is not going to be restricted to Ukraine where 1/3rd of the Ukrainian are settled. The Tajik faction of Taliban has already migrated to Tajikistan where India is also giving full support to the Tajik faction of Taliban. The invasion of Tajikistan means that Russia will be at the doorstep of Afghanistan.

It is worrying for Pakistan that the invasion of Ukraine can further expand troubles in Tajikistan and the two world powers, Russia and the US may get in this conflict triggering world war 3. Obviously, this will energise the Tajik Taliban factions and the opposition within Tajikistan whereas Al-Qaeda, Daish and TTP Pakistan has already got some signatures with Tajik Taliban and Uzbek Taliban.

I had been advocating that TTP Pakistan is getting strengthened which will be ultimately used against Pakistan. TTP Pakistan was part of the removal of the fence from the border scheme. We already know that the Intelligence Chief of Nuristan, Afghanistan personally supervised the removal of the fence from the International Border (Durand Line) which clearly demonstrates the strategic understanding between the Afghan Taliban and TTP Pakistan against Pakistan.

I had been consistently advocating since years back that Daesh has made its ingress in Pakistan and it has its sleeping cells starting from Daska, Sialkot, Rahim Yar Khan, Karachi, Awaran and Quetta. 6 Daesh terrorists have been claimed to be killed by the Quetta Police. These killings of Daesh’s terrorists should be treated as clear warning about the presence of Daesh and their future attacks in Pakistan especially in Chitral, Gilgit Baltistan and other sensitive areas in the country.

The growing tense situation in central Asia will further energise the terrorists and we noticed that many terrorist acts have been claimed by Daesh in Pakistan.

The terrorists will get huge space from the unrest in central Asia and the anti Afghan Taliban.

The government will have more unrest and the unrest in Afghanistan is eventually detrimental for Pakistan.

The article was published in The Nation on  January 14, 2022. Link to the original article… https://nation.com.pk/14-Jan-2022/ukraine-invasion

Governance: Role of Parliament and institutions by Senator A. Rehman Malik

 

It is a big question as to how the national institutions and the parliament can play active role to implement the rule of law and improve the governance. The people of Pakistan are worried as our beloved country is passing through worst crisis and nation is witnessing political polarisation and bad governance. The parliament is failing to deliver and it may go in the history as a rubber stamp with hardly any initiative taken for the betterment of a common man. The state is “in the state of utter confusion” and country is directionless without adequate required policies. People need hope whereas the national future has been mortgaged before the IMF. Many present ministers are of the view that the govt is helpless before mighty IMF and the West including FATF. The individual interests have taken over the national interests in our present system. The country is being run on day-to-day basis without any solid long-term policies.

The state is utterly failing to protect the rights of a common man. The miseries of people are increasing by every passing day. A common man has been expecting some relief since long but every successive govt failed to deliver. Now, the price-hike has crushed the public even more and their cries can be heard in the streets of every city.

The present ruling party had unrealistically raised the hopes of the voters which could not be fulfilled due to a deteriorating economy. The people have seen the drop scene of their high hopes. Political polarisation is at its peak and the Parliament House looks like a wrestling ring. Now, our female parliamentarians have also jumped in this ring. We hear the sounds of slaps and abuses instead of voice of a common man. Let us seize the culture of indecency followed both by govt and opposition in the parliament. I think we need to demonstrate political maturity with a pragmatic and result-oriented approach in the parliament.

This continued confusion, ineffective parliament and non-serious govt may bring some serious setbacks to the country. Hence, we all have to think about how to set a doable path to steer the nation out of crisis with national unity. The economy is sliding down with no sign of recovery; foreign policy is suffering because of our international isolation; IMF and FATF hounds are pushing us to be defaulter and both Afghan and Pak Taliban (once called the children of Pakistan) have joined hands and their nefarious activities against Pakistan duly engineered by India and the West through Afghan soil. The removal of fence at Pak-Afghan border shows the intent of Afghan Taliban and the TTP. While we are facing numerous internal and external challenges, the govt seems to be confused and it is not coming up with an economic recovery plan and foreign policy to overcome these potential setbacks. The government must act wisely, should bring its proposed plans before the parliament and ask for collective national wisdom on the proposed national policies. The failure of our successive policies can be well judged from the data given below as we have not acted to correct our various public domains. The data reflects poor governance and poor management of state affairs.

Our rupee has fallen to 187 to a dollar during the present regime and it is likely to slide more after the mini-budget while price-hike will rise further. Unemployment rate has gone up to 5pc. Underemployment is also growing and return of Pak workers from abroad has further increased unemployment.

Growth rate went down from 5.8pc in 2018 to 0.5pc in 2020. Govt must watch to avoid fudged figures as this kind of fake statistical data will be harmful for future estimates. Our population has increased from 212.2 million to 225.18 million and there has been no policy to control it. Also while the population is increasing the resources are shrinking, hence we need to create a balance. We all need to worry as total foreign debt has risen from $61 billion to $116.3 billion. I am not adding our liabilities that have risen because of various bonds in the international market used to raise loans through the private banks. We have local debt in rupees increased from Rs24.95 trillion in 2018 to Rs39.9 trillion in 2021. This is our great economy. But, the govt still claims that there is no inflation. The printing of currency is one of the biggest sources of inflation. The poverty rate has increased from 4.4pc in 2018 to 39.2pc. It is highly undesirable increase as we are leading other countries in South Asia in poverty rate. Bangladesh has become the role model of economic growth and its textile industries have grabbed the world market. It will be shocking for the public to know that investment and expertise have flown from Pakistan to Bangladesh as the investors find Bangladesh more investor-friendly as compared to Pakistan. Similarly, the large-scale investment has flown to Sri Lanka also.

In 2019, infant mortality rate in Pakistan was at about 55.7 deaths per 1,000 live births due to malnutrition and it is increasing continuously. What else could be expected in a country with 39.2pc poverty rate. The funds committed for development are on the decrease and hence the development will go slow in coming years.

The above data reflects our non-professional and incompetent approach to handle our national affairs. I have mentioned only few areas of public domain. You will see similar frustrating negative data in other public and private sectors as well.

Will the govt make a study to identify its mistakes and control the deteriorating situation not repeating the mistakes which are creating negative statistical trends?

In fact, some of the economic and administrative indicators show inabilities of our past and present govts. We need to think seriously if the present system is itself a problem or we are incompetent to give good governance to our country. We must also study some other viable way of governance.

It is unfortunate that our authorities and political pandits either do not understand the meaning of a borrowed economy or they prefer to adopt the easy path of loaning to run the governmental and national affairs which has caused deep crises.

The state of confusion is widespread due to incompetency, inability, non-nationalistic approach, non-serious attitude, no accountability and immature attitude of govt and opposition in the parliament.

Nations do not survive with lip service as we need practical steps to give relief to the common man. We are very good in blame game which is equally applicable on leaders of both govt and opposition.

There have been a number of joint sessions. But during the present term of parliamentarians, these sessions gave no benefit to a common man in terms of law or policies except TA/DA for the parliamentarians and benefits to FATF & IMF. These joint sessions ended by passing some pre-written resolutions manipulated behind the scene, whereas the parliamentarians were not free to express their views.

The joint session is for some selected parliamentarians to speak as per the set agenda and rest of the parliamentarians are there just to sit and listen in violation of all democratic norms. Such non-mandatory resolutions end up in creation of ill perception of the parliament among the public.

A question arises why the defined democratic norms are not being observed in the parliament and who is responsible as it has muted its voice on major national issues. I hope the parliament will come out of the muted mode and do something for the rule of law and for the better governance.

The Article was published in The News on January 9, 2022. Link to the original article is https://e.thenews.com.pk/detail?id=43941

The role of parliament and accountability by Senator A. Rehman Malik

A confused and politically immature government and an ineffective parliament can lead the country to the brink of instability and serious consequences.

How can national institutions and parliaments play an active role in enforcing the rule of law and improving governance; this is an important question in the mind of every sane person. The people of Pakistan are worried because our beloved country is going through the worst crises and the nation is witnessing political polarisation and poor governance within the institutions.

The parliament will be remembered as a rubber stamp because it has hardly taken any step for the betterment of the common man till date. The state is in a state of “complete confusion” and the country is losing its direction without the right policies.

The national future is in the hands of the IMF, and statements by several incoming ministers are on record that the government is helpless before the West, including the powerful IMF and the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).

The country is governed on a daily basis without any solid long-term policies. The state has completely failed to protect the rights of the common man, the crises are increasing with each passing day.

A common man has been waiting for some relief for a long time but every incoming government has not been able to fulfil even the slightest hope of the common man. With the continuous rise in inflation, the difficulties of the common man are increasing manifold.

The cries of the people are being heard in the streets of every city. Contrary to reality, the present ruling party had given hope to the voters which the government could not fulfil due to the battered economy as the people were shown a rose bed by making loud claims. People saw their dreams and hopes shattered and the castles they had built in the air falling.

Political polarisation is on the rise and the Parliament House looks like a wrestling ring. A culture of disrespect and indecency is being witnessed in the Parliament House by both the government and the opposition. I think we need to show more political maturity and decency in Parliament in a pragmatic and result-oriented way.

A confused and politically immature government and an ineffective parliament can lead the country to the brink of instability and serious consequences.

We all have to think about how to find a viable way out of the crisis with national unity to stabilise our economy even though there are no signs of economic recovery at the moment.

The article was published in The Nation on January 9, 2022. Link to the original article. https://nation.com.pk/09-Jan-2022/the-role-of-parliament-and-accountability

IMF demands, sovereignty and the mini budget by Senator A. Rehman Malik

Amendments in State Bank Order 1948 are being brought in the form of an Act which can be named as the International Monetary Funds (IMF) Demands Act. If it is passed by the parliament, then Pakistan will partially lose the power to decide its fiscal matters. This Act will cripple Pakistan by snatching its powers to act as a sovereign state.

We are going to hand over our independence and the future of our generations to the IMF by accepting these demands, only to get $1 billion, which Pakistan could have generated from its resources.

Do you think it is the right decision, wherein we are being sucked in by this new version of the East India Company in the shape of the IMF? This law would prohibit criticising or questioning the Governor SBP for his actions, which means an utter violation of the freedom of speech. The mini-budget has been presented in the National Assembly on the demand of the IMF and more taxes have been imposed on the already crushed common man.

The never-ending demands of the IMF will not stop here as the agenda of the IMF is to cripple our economy and to drive Pakistan towards international demand. Every Pakistani is bound to suffer because of this mini IMF budget. The parliament, opposition parties and the government should come up with a solution to get rid of the IMF with their collective doable debt retirement programme. The nation sees a “dangal” in the parliament instead of a decent approach to handle national issues requiring the indulgence of Parliament.

Here are the salient features of the State Bank Act which has been presented in the parliament and now referred to the concerned standing committee.

As per the proposed amendment, immunity has been granted to the sitting SBP management including the present Board of Directors, the Governor, Deputy Governors, a member of any Board committee and monetary policy committee or the staff of the Bank for any act or performance of any functions or any legislation administered by the Bank.

Not only this, but the tenure of the governor, deputy governors, external members of the Monetary Policy Committee and non-executive board members has also been increased from 3 to 5 years with two terms allowed and also one year’s extension.

As per the latest proposed amendments, the objectives of SBP have been specified for price maintenance and financial stability. While the government has justified this autonomy as a way to maintain price, there has yet been no mention of the inflation targets or price stability despite revising the act.

In what capacity can the State Bank control inflation? Moreover, now the government can pay salaries (though it is bad) by printing currency, whereas, restricting printing currency or loans to our foreign debt-ridden country will come under heavy pressure and we will be forced to beg for more loans. The government will not be able to borrow from SBP under any circumstances, which will badly affect the financial needs of the government and the national exchequer and this will create hardships for the government, pushing us to bankruptcy. There will be no check or deterrence on wrongdoings or criminal mismanagement or any criminal negligence by the employees of SBP.

The entire business community is showing serious objections and reservations on these amendments as the SBP will now not finance any rural credit, industrial credit, export credit, loans guarantee, and housing credit which means that these sectors will get into trouble and mafias with cash will flourish at the cost of the common man and the small business community.

The proposed amendments are posing a serious threat to the sovereignty of our country as the independent State Bank will be omitted from the State domain and it will be the State under obligation to become the subordinate of the State Bank. An independent SBP will be dictating all our institutional decisions and state secrets and operations in the national interest will be directly subject to a security risk and the IMF.

The State Bank will be under the legal ambit to supply information as already committed to the international community via FATF whereas FATF is biased and anti Pakistan.

The bill excludes any government representation on the State Bank Board of Directors as no member of parliament or any state institution will be allowed to become a part of SBP or even allowed to question its irregularities in the Parliament or any court. What a destruction of our economic system by some geniuses working for the IMF it would be. Its basic agenda is to compel the government to prioritise meeting the country’s foreign debt obligations over all other expenses and then continue to take new loans from the IMF to increase its authority. The annual report to the parliament is nothing, as the parliament is not a regulatory authority to oversee the day-to-day functioning of the SBP.

According to the new bill, the monetary policy is the exclusive domain of the State Bank while fiscal policies will be under the Federal government which will severely compromise and damage the macro-economic management of the country as there will be no coordination or coherence between both the domains as these amendments are contradictory and are being brought in with ulterior motives to push the country to bankruptcy. It has been unwisely decided that now the SBP is being given the status of the supreme prestigious institution of the state.

Moreover, the parliament, which can even remove a Prime Minister, cannot invoke any law against the SBP or remove the SBP Governor or Deputy Governor under any circumstances. The SBP Governor can only be removed by the federal government if found and proven guilty of misconduct. It will only be a formality that the Governor would submit an annual report or a half-yearly report, not less than that before the Parliament regarding the achievements without any sort of accountability.

What is the use of such a report which cannot be dissected for legal action? It is just eyewash as this report cannot hold the SBP, the Governor or any other employee of the SBP responsible for any wrongdoings or losses.

A glance at the draft act shows that it is not drafted by us but rather dictated by the agents of the IMF. The draft bill was also shared with the IMF before placing it before the Parliament for discussion and adoption. Our country cannot afford this level of immunity to such a critical institution as it will be detrimental to our economy as well as the sovereignty of our country.

We have witnessed how the budget has been presented in the parliament and how the masses have rejected it as it is going to hurt the common man. 

The article was published in The Nation on January 1, 2022. Link to the original article... https://nation.com.pk/01-Jan-2022/imf-demands-sovereignty-and-the-mini-budget