Kalim A Siddiqui
21. Levy minimum income tax, import duty and GST so that majority of the population and businesses willingly pay it and avoid wrongdoings or corrupt practices. Also abolish all other taxes since GST is now imposed and being collected. Withdraw all the SROs and discretionary powers. The system should be made simple not complicated so that everyone understands and its enforcement is easy. This means abandon current FBR set-up to start all over again as “Pakistan Revenue Agency” – a lean, fully automated system with negligible discretion to officers. Much improved revenue collection will be realized. All these measures will bring the taxation system closer to documented economy. The anticipated savings are to the tune of Rs 1,000 billion rupees (approximately).These measures are likely to assist in reduction of smuggling due to less financial incentives. Additionally, this will also reduce production of fake products availability in the country. Strict law applicability should be ensured for Intellectual Property Rights to encourage investment.
22. Aggressively exploit indigenous natural resources in which country is rich but poorly managed to date such as oil, gas, coal, gemstones, copper, minerals, gold, iron, titanium and aluminum, etc., so that country and its population can benefit. A lot of business opportunities will be created by working on these resources.
23. We need to manage water resources better on extreme priority to save the country from serious consequences by building many small/medium/large reservoirs to store water for agriculture and drinking as well as to generate a substantial quantity of electricity. Build many ‘run of the river’ electricity generating facilities to serve local population and feed to grid as appropriate. These steps would also save the country from flood destruction and waste of valuable water.
24. We need to manage better our indigenous renewable/non-renewable energy resources that is poorly managed for the country’s betterment, population and businesses. We can use oil, gas, coal, solar, wind, water, bio-gas, garbage, etc., for low-cost power-generation to overcome electricity shortage as well as for economic transportation. Also electric distribution network needs to be upgraded on priority.
25. Carry out judicial reforms so that fast justice is provided to population that at times wait for generation(s) to get justice. Laws should be updated and judiciary must not be going on vacation but individuals like anywhere else. No judge’s position be left vacant for a longer period. Introduce double shift judicial services for fast dispensation of cases. Time-bound justice system be implemented so that cases are fast dispensed. Go away with stay order system that lasts for ages instead cases be dispensed soonest possible ensuring proper justice to both sides.
26. Local Governments are given the responsibility for primary and secondary education (1-12 grade system) in their jurisdiction as mandatory for each boy/girl of school going age. There should be a penalty for those parents not sending the children to school. Private sector must not be allowed to give primary and secondary education. Colleges and universities can be established by Federal/Provincial/Private sector.
27. Provinces should develop modern, well equipped hospitals in each district and staff doctors/paramedical with good emoluments. Provinces extend the medical facilities to their citizens free of cost through Medical Cards provided.
28. Depoliticize police force and staff them with educated people that have modern training to deal with today’s issues/crimes. Police prime task should be to provide safety and help to citizens as needed.
29. Austerity drive is implemented across the country in Federal as well as Provincial and Local Governments with efficient monitoring mechanism to ensure that Government activities are done at a justifiable cost. Housing facilities must not be provided to Government employees of any level instead they are given adequate housing allowance to manage themselves. All the current housing by Government (Federal/Provincial/Local) under their ownership are sold and dispense all leased properties.
30. Complete ban on providing foreign medical treatment to the Federal, Provincial and Local Government staff and public representatives instead develop high quality medical facilities in the country. Privately anybody can go abroad for medical treatment at his/her expense.
31. All public sector enterprises (PSEs), Boards/CEOs are restructured & changed with professionals and experienced individuals possibly from relevant fields with autonomy to deliver. This is likely to radically improve PSEs performance and turn them into profit in case of losing entity and improve profit if already doing well. Do fast privatization of non-strategic organizations so that Government funding to the tune of 500 to 600 billion rupees annually can be saved that is presently spent to keep these PSEs afloat.
32. All the PSEs should be placed under an “Investment Division” that directly reports to the Chief Executive of the country i.e. President. In other words, all the PSEs are taken out from their respective Ministry clutches and influence. PSEs are treated just like another private entity and they operate under their autonomous Boards.
33. All the Ministries be staffed with qualified professionals to fit in today’s working environment rather than just relying on rankers only.
34. To get the country out of financial mess and avoid bankruptcy, it is important that all political parties represented in Parliament should be brought across the table to come up with a consensus economic agenda for short, medium and long terms to follow and steer the country out of this difficult situation. Once agreed, this should be ratified from Parliament so that no future Government digresses from it.
35. A referendum needs to be carried out after educating the masses as to why this is necessary so that country can not only survive but become stronger and progressive. Referendum is required as Constitution does not allow such far-reaching changes and mustering a two thirds majority out of present parliamentary system is almost impossible. Beneficiaries of today’s corrupt system will never ever bring these changes being the beneficiaries of this eroded system.—(Concluded)
—The writer is a former MD/CEO of Pakistan State Oil, former President of Byco Petroleum (Marketing).
