By: Naseebullah Achakzai
Ego has always been cataclysmic. Narcissism and stubbornness in politics are fatal. Democracy demands the sacrifice of self-preoccupation for the collective elevation of the general public. History is replete with pieces of evidence that compos mantis are those who accept failure as a reality. For those who are in power; who are responsible for the lives of millions of the people; ought to strut sensibility. In a democratic arrangement, when the governing party fails to deliver, the Snap election has been a doable option.
Inflation has crossed double digits which was 11.1 percent in April. A record number of Loans have been taken in history so that to pour into the debt ventilator hole. Contrary, the trade deficit has shrunk and foreign remittances have increased, without affecting the dwindling economic fragility.
One may dissent to the previous governments prior to PM Imran Khan’s authority. Though the former policies were belittled. True, that everything was not praiseworthy.
Nevertheless, the situation was not as heart-breaking as today is. The socioeconomic, political pictures and foreign relations were not as cheerless as compare to the ongoing postures.
The economic situation is wretched. The clueless financial policies have led to the resignation of three finance ministers yet. The GDP growth which was 5.8 percent in 2018 has fallen and is expected to 1.5 percent in the current fiscal year__whereas the total GDP which was 314.6 billion USD in 2018 has shrunk to 284 billion USD. Poverty has increased to 40 percent which was 31.3 percent in 2018. More, unemployment has been escalated from 4.8 percent to 5 percent. The dearth of Mega projects during this government’s tenure has further dented the employment and poverty sectors. The development budget which was 4.2 percent of the total GDP has plunged to 2.6 percent of the GDP during the current fiscal year.
Inflation has crossed double digits which was 11.1 percent in April. A record number of Loans have been taken in history so that to pour into the debt ventilator hole. Contrary, the trade deficit has shrunk and foreign remittances have increased, without affecting the dwindling economic fragility.
Politically, the situation is precarious, where democracy has wimpished because of compromising on democratic norms. Parliament has lost its esteem by converting it as a rubber stamp. Hate speech and political victimization have aggrandized with rapid speed with the advent of the PTI led government. National interests have been compromised over self-interests. Lack of unanimity on national issues has made politics a laughing stock.
The Media has been degraded. Hatred speech on media is frequent. The freedom of media has been compromised as some Credible journalists (critics of the government) are not allowed to appear on TV channels and Newspapers. Censorship is quotidian. The bifurcation of media organizations has further smirched media. The negative agenda setting, yellow journalism, commercialism, propaganda, and sentiosialism have made media more incredible. The government has failed in taking steps regarding these menaces. Freedom of media during this government has been affected. According to the reporters without borders reports, the rank of Pakistan in media freedom is 145 in 2020 which was 139 in 2018.
Transparency is undoubtedly the backbone of a democratic polity. The more a country is transparent the more it will prosper. Realistically, no one can deny its magnitude. Unfortunately, the mantra of Corruption after the election of 2018 has provided fuel to the already piteous political order and national unity. The so called accountability slogan has on one side not only disjointed the nation but on the other side, it has also not helped in the abatement of corruption on the ground __ rather it has enlarged. As per the report of Transparency International, Pakistan’s rank in curbing corruption was 117 in 2018, which has amplified to 124 in 2020.
Abrupt revamping in policy has never been successful. When it comes to foreign relations, proactive approach has invariably productive. Without taking the opposition into confidence, mapping any foreign policy cannot bear fruits. The same is happening in the case of the PTI government, which has bypassed not only the parliament but also the opposition. It has failed to create unison in the country on foreign policy __ particularly after the malicious and satanic designs of India with respect to recent developments in Kashmir, and the emerging quagmire of the FATF and the EU resolution regarding the GSP plus status. The recent statement of Prime Minister while talking to the Pakistani Ambassadors is the example in which he acknowledged the failure by criticizing Pakistani embassies abroad by showing non-confidence over them.
Politicians may have differences but they must not lead these to enmity. The reign of government is like a wheelchair, which revolves all_around. Undisputedly, a government has the constitutional right the complete its tenure. But, when it comes to rendition، if a government fails to accomplish it and cannot bring off its manifesto, the democratic system has the option for the government to dissolve assemblies and go for the election. For that, re-probation of self-absorption and disavowal of solipsistic attitude indispensable.
The writer is a Freelance columnist. He tweets at @Naseebk95976870