ADDRESSING a pre-budget seminar in the federal capital, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif invited all stakeholders to put their heads together to cement a long-term plan to revive the ailing economy so that no future government could compromise on important national issues.
He also stressed that the country’s economy could not be streamlined without political stability.
There cannot be two opinions about the importance of political stability for economic growth.
In fact both are interconnected. However it is unfortunate that our economy has remained the prey and victim of political unrest and uncertainty almost throughout history.
This is the reason that we have failed to tap the true potential of the country in different fields.
Despite its vast economic resources, the country has been facing the issues of macroeconomic balances.
The fact of the matter is that political instability only disrupts continuation of the economic policies, discourages foreign direct investment and further disturbs the working of the industries and businesses. In an uncertain situation, nobody dares to make an investment.
We have no doubt in saying that Pakistan would have been far ahead than many other countries on the economic front had our political leadership acted with maturity and sagacity whilst keeping aside the self-driven and power-hungry political wrangling.
Anyway, it is never too late to mend ways. Responsibility rests both with the government and the opposition parties to ensure political stability.
As PM Shehbaz Sharif is calling for grand dialogue and signing of charter of economy, the beginning must be made by the government to create an enabling environment for negotiations with the Pakistan Tehreek-Insaf (PTI) which is currently on roads, demanding early election.
The government must tone down the political temperature by shunning the course of rhetoric.
Whilst forgetting the bitterness of the past, the current set-up will have to move forward whilst taking all the stakeholders on board.
Confrontation is not in anybody’s interest but only further undermines the democratic set-up.
Political polarization has reached alarming levels and it is only the political leadership that can bring it down.
Both the coalition government and the PTI will have to demonstrate flexibility in their stances to reach some sort of consensus on important matters including the economy and the next general election.
We need to demonstrate the same kind of unity that was shown in the fight against terrorism and formulation of National Action Plan (NAP).
Whilst setting aside their egos, the political leadership must sit together and sign an economic framework in order to effectively address the longstanding economic woes.
