ACCORDING to a UNDP report, Pakistan’s elite consume subsidies totalling $17.4 billion annually, disproportionately placing the burden of economic slowdown on inflation-stricken masses. This situation not only exacerbates social inequalities but also signals a troubling lack of fiscal responsibility. The prioritization of elite interests over the needs of the broader population creates an environment of discontent and instability, raising concerns among potential investors. Investors are wary of a system that favours the wealthy while neglecting the economic hardships faced by the majority. Such dynamics undermine confidence in the country’s economic viability and hinder sustainable development. The economy, long in deficit, has sunk deeply. The dream of becoming an Asian Tiger is shattered and the pride of a nuclear-armed nation has become a tale of the past. Political parties refuse to engage in dialogue, creating a gulf that remains unabridged. This challenge is compounded by a shifting strategic environment, with economic despair on one side and polarization bordering chaos on the other. The country is increasingly vulnerable to exploitation by global powers pursuing their own interests.
Certainly, dialogue is the path that can change the fate of nations. The target is clear, but the laziness and inaction of the political leadership tell a different story. Is this negligence intentional or is the elite unable to find a way out of the deadlock? The reality is that 65% of the country’s population is struggling for basic sustenance and they are also burdened with taxes. There is no capital available for work and business because interest rates are high and the government takes everything from banks to bridge its fiscal gap. Investors from abroad are not coming in; rather, existing investment is being moved out. On top of that, the government is standing with a stick in hand; speaking out leads to dire consequences. Dialogue among political parties is essential to overcome the toxic polarization that plagues the political landscape. However, it should not be premised on the maintenance of the status quo, nor should it assume that the current situation offers any potential for the nation’s improvement. Moreover, in an atmosphere characterized by fear and intimidation, the prospect of meaningful dialogue is fundamentally compromised. Dialogue can only transpire within the framework of civility and decorum, allowing for constructive engagement and mutual understanding.
It is essential for both parties to recognize the threats facing the state and to acknowledge the need and importance of national unity, avoiding any actions or words that could spoil the political atmosphere. Only then can the conversation progress. Another critical point is that parties must demonstrate through their words and actions that they will not act stubbornly in dialogue for the greater good of the nation, which necessarily includes sustainable peace and development; failing to do so would be tantamount to conspiracy. To prevent chaos and unrest and to safeguard the state from foreign entrapment, dialogue should concentrate on practical steps aimed at restoring liberties, establishing mechanisms for providing basic amenities at the grassroots level and developing a policy framework to ensure food security. All colonial-era laws that classify dissent as rebellion should be nullified. Upholding these colonial traditions, which subjugate the populace, only fosters incivility and undermines both the media and civil society. This necessitates significant reforms to the Pakistan Penal Code which continues to suppress liberties and disproportionately favours a select few in terms of economic opportunities and participation in the decision-making processes of the state.
Another condition for dialogue, that can be met immediately, is to fulfill constitutional requirements concerning local government at the third tier. Provinces must establish politically, administratively and financially autonomous elected local governments for fair resource distribution and sustainable development. There is currently no better way to ensure public participation in decision-making and to hold political parties accountable, freeing them from the clutches of mafia-like influences. Mechanisms for providing essential needs such as law and order, education and health can serve as the greatest obstacles to chaos and unrest. Thirdly, food security should be declared a national priority and the production of pulses, fresh fish, meat, milk, yogurt and oil seeds should be given the same importance as cash crops currently enjoy. Commercial farming was promoted during the colonial era which continued even after independence. This not only harmed the environment but also led to the devastation of pastures, forests and aquatic life, pushing a large population to the brink of starvation. The transition from commercial agriculture to sustainable agriculture must necessarily begin with better water resource management. Currently, there is 400 million feet of clean water beneath the Indus Basin, which, if protected from pollution and misuse, could be used through solar energy for the needs of the human population and sustainable agriculture. Ample water can be used to restore natural lakes, pastures and forests. The restoration of rivers could also be utilized for the supply of trade goods, which is not only very inexpensive but also enhances the country’s strategic importance.
—The writer is a political analyst, based in Islamabad.
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