Daily Times

Elections are due to held in Pakistan in coming July and one can observe same slogans of bringing social change into Pakistan eg by curbing corruption or other matters that revolve around social life. However we will look into perspective how these matters could easily solved at administrative level for which our system has full capability. And for the Parliament and government to concentrate on matters that requires labour of legislators. Pakistan is currently engulfed into disgruntled religious and political ideologies, religion furtherance into multiple minor ethos found impossible to amalgamate. It always lives into economic turbulence although this is a relative term which itself needs exploration with its production sector suffering due to multiple reasons. It has abundance of young population with no clear hindsight and path to follow. Public (sarkarey) education sector has almost become dysfunctional emphasis is added to primary and secondary education, health sector with minor success but huge efforts needed and a country that always requires deliberation towards its foreign policy and yet the list is not exhaustive.

On the other hand most important available resources includes but not limited to abundance of workforce from labour to skilled and educated class, emerging middle class, increase in investment into infrastructure which will bring lot more opportunities for almost every class of citizens. And above everything, huge population of youth if shown right path can change the fate of Pakistan. Security concerns both internal and external atleast for sometime will remain primary concern of state, though lot of improvement has occurred after continuously facing terrorism for the last decade or more. Huge potential in agriculture sector, if given proper help and concentration can easily fulfil all the food requirements of our huge population and beside that can even bring us huge economic incentives, which it already is bringing, even after being neglected.

Managing the affairs of a country with above mentioned characteristics requires very honest, able emphasis added above all and committed leadership which should necessarily divest from its political and personal interests and devout all its faculties to bring this country at par with other emerging economies. Elections in most part of the world nowadays are contested on the basis of economic and welfare agendas however the countries like Pakistan that still need social reforms convert elections into sloganeering rather building and developing economic agendas that are solution to most of the problems being faced by people around the world these days. From the modern political and economic philosophies that are followed worldwide perspective, social reforms should have been left at the hands of institutions which are not limited to government enterprises, that has not happened only because such institutions has not shown capability to bring social reforms. Major example would be corruption that can be easily eradicated in the presence of strong and capable institutions with the help of soft forms of apparatus like media both print and electronic and civil society.

Pakistan is controlled and ruled by different mafias — people having colossal untaxed assets. These mafias have crippled state institutions. The FBR, being their handmaid, protects them through tax amnesties

Few other examples would be education and health though that requires enough budget to run smoothly even with current infrastructure this could have made better if strong and impartial executive had played its role of administering these sectors with will. Industrialization and modernisation of agriculture sector though requires structural reforms, however better administration upon current resources may produce better yields that can help in strengthening of economy and the betterment in the lives of millions that are directly or indirectly related to agriculture sector. Though this does not mean to absolve legislators of their duties rather reminding others to fulfil their duties which bound them. Executive and judiciary have to take their roles in accordance with Constitution being Judiciary an institution that work as equilibrium between different institutions and is responsible for the administration of justice and can be proven very effective in controlling and eradicating corruption, considered as major impediment towards prosperity.

By adopting above means politicians/legislators will be forced to concentrate on matters that are primarily and in accordance to Constitution are left upon them like of economy. In my humble view next election should be contested on who can better cater the demands and needs of young generation beside other major issues. By concentrating on our youth we can bring Pakistan at par with good economies and at the same time curing problem that will be aggravated in the coming years. Reforms that may help youth are education and creation of jobs means (rozgar) in popular words. By concentrating on their education and character building a better and civic generation can be formed which will be a good alternate to apparatus that are helpful in bringing social reforms and those energies could be invested in other sectors. By simple measures this seems unimportant however it is by no means less than any other problem being faced by Pakistan nor less than any available resource that can prove a catalyst in the prosperity of this country.

Being Barrister and a student of politics I am well aware of the effectiveness of popular slogans that can create favourable circumstances for an electable. However if keenly concentrated and rightly raised no other slogan will be more beneficial than that concerns welfare of youth. Current election will determine the fate and direction of Pakistan though this will not be the last chance to bring betterment in Pakistan however if missed will take us farther away from the road to prosperity.

It is simply asked to engage youth as was done in 60’s, 70’s and 80’s worldwide and turn their attention towards enhancing their abilities and improvement in their faculties and capabilities. And emphasis should be done towards their character building that should include but not limited to respect for humanity, laws, justice, self and other rights, importance of peace, a better understanding of religion that will take them away from current extremism spread around the world and importance of their individual role in making Pakistan and world a better place to live. These ideas are as much practical as happening of elections or any other change for that matter and it may rightfully be said Pakistan is in a much better position to take benefit from its overwhelming population of youth.

The writer is LLB (Hons) (London), Barrister at Law and Advocate High Court

Published in Daily Times, June 3^rd 2018.