AS the first whispers of 2024 dance across the Indus plains, I send heartfelt greetings and wishes to the people of Pakistan. Pakistan is a land where the Himalayas sing anthems of resilience, the Indus dance tales of history and the people wear dreams like vibrant tapestries. This year holds particular significance for the Pakistani people and this land. The ballot box, an instrument of democracy, awaits the touch of Pakistani fingers in February. This is a pivotal time, when approximately 127 million voters have the opportunity to refresh and renew their democracy and create a more promising and positive future for themselves and their country. Reflecting on this past year, one must acknowledge the complexities that painted Pakistan’s canvas. The echoes of economic struggles resonated loudly, punctuated by the murmurs of political uncertainty.
In 2023, the country with 241 million people faced its worst inflation ever. Its currency lost much of its value, reaching its lowest point in history. Thankfully, in July, a $3 billion bailout from the International Monetary Fund helped avoid a situation where the country might have been unable to pay its debts. In addition, the echoes of the devastating floods still lingered bringing to mind the fragility of nature and the need for collective compassion. Nawaz Sharif’s return and Imran Khan’s arrest were major events in Pakistan’s 2023 political landscape, significantly impacting the country’s political climate. The long-term implications of these events are still unfolding, with their impact likely to influence the upcoming 2024 elections and the future direction of Pakistani politics.
Amidst these challenges, however, whispers of opportunity danced on the wind. The entrepreneurial spirit of the Pakistani people blossomed, giving rise to many promising start-ups. In the twelve months leading up to November 2023, the net exports in the field of Information Technology (IT) rose to $2.4 billion, a 10% increase compared to the previous year. Young athletes in various sports displayed their talents and future potential by breaking records and creating new success milestones.
As Pakistan navigates through 2024, it carries the weight of its hopes and ambitions alongside a complex panorama of challenges. The upcoming elections present a critical juncture. While concerns about potential irregularities and post-election uncertainties cloud the horizon, there is also the prospect of a peaceful and transparent process. Economic headwinds of inflation, currency depreciation and a widening deficit are probable. But, the entrepreneurial spirit of the Pakistani people, coupled with the government’s efforts to streamline energy resources and create employment opportunities, provide the potential for an economic revival.
Security remains a critical issue with the persistent threat of terrorism not abating. On the international front, addressing border tensions and building bridges of cooperation offer promising avenues for regional stability. The social landscape presents its own set of hurdles, where the effects of climate change, limited access to quality education and healthcare and gender inequalities could be offset by developing innovative solutions and robust social safety nets.
In order to use those building blocks and take those actions, Pakistan’s next government will first have to address the country’s crippling fiscal and trade deficits. Steps that need to be taken in this regard include: A substantial trimming of public expenditure and wasteful spending on public entities, Focusing on the needs of the 40% of the population living below the poverty line, Pursuing aggressive diplomacy with Gulf nations to expedite securing blue-collar jobs for Pakistani workers – a strategy that would bring billions of dollars in remittances every year.
These short-term solutions must be coupled with a long-term vision and strategic plan. That vision should spell out the desired future for Pakistan and its people and the goals and strategies that will be employed to achieve that future.
Ultimately, the future of Pakistan is in the hands of its people. Their aspirations, their choices and their collective power will determine who will govern and will help define the path forward for the nation. Because of this my fondest wish this new year is that the Pakistani people will use the ballot box as a canvas for their dreams, and the ink of their vote to paint a picture of the future filled with peace, progress, and prosperity. Happy New Year to the People of Pakistan! In 2024, may your dreams become reality and your land become a place of peace, progress and prosperity.
—The writer is an Entrepreneur, Civic Leader, and Thought Leader based in Washington DC.
views expressed are writer’s own.
