Daily Times

Simply to talk of corruption will not take us anywhere and give us a sense of relief and satisfaction. Reforms are needed to make politics deliver to contribute to nation building and improve the state of the economy. Harassment, being irrelevant, unreasonable, unrealistic, and undisciplined, missing the real issues, and failure to identify causes of extremism and terrorism are the cause of most of our problems and disability to effectively confront the challenges the country faces.

We need to analyse happenings internally and externally to get to the real intents and objectives of what is happening around us, may it be about our domestic politics and implications, or Pakistan’s involvement in the Afghan peace process, American assurance of increased efforts for a reconciliation process, or President Donald Trump’s recent statement on Baloch terrorist groups operating against the state of Pakistan with the active support of RAW, the Indian spy agency, always targeting Pakistan and causing loss of life and infrastructure. It is time to re-think about things that happen to be non-productive and a loss of time and energy. Let us hope that the United States’ move against BLA terrorists will make other states also reconsider their support for the organisation. Other nations also need to follow suit. The organisation has long been involved in abusing the rights of citizens of Pakistan.

All news is not depressing. It is good to know that the PAF Air War College is a premier institution of the Pakistan Air Force, where senior and mid-level officers of Pakistan armed forces and friendly countries are prepared for assumption of higher command and staff appointments. Officers from tri-services of Pakistan along with officers from 16 allied countries, including Bangladesh, Bahrain, China, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Libya, Malaysia, Oman, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Saudi Arabia, UAE and Zimbabwe graduated in the ceremony. High-ranking civil and military officers and diplomats from various allied countries also attended the ceremony. It was a proud moment for Pakistan. “Operation Swift Retort is a testimony to our preparedness and professionalism”, said Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan, Chief of Air Staff Pakistan Air Force.

Reforms are needed to make politics deliver to contribute to nation building and improve the state of the economy

Addressing the convocation, Air Chief Marshal Khan said, “As senior military professionals, you must be aware of the contemporary geopolitical and strategic environments since it would not only have a deep influence on the overall security calculus, but its sound understanding would also facilitate better preparedness and timely response to emerging threats.” He said that an important lesson that we derived from the operation Swift Retort is that despite single service application, support from sister services is essential to the success of the mission. Cooperation remains central to the modern concept of military operations.

Not showing due respect to opposition political parties is not something unknown. The government cannot simply deny the history of political victimisation of opposition parties, in both this country and beyond. It is essential to keep safeguards so that representatives of the people and members of parliament can use their voice in parliament in all circumstances. That is why a production order is logical. Look at the issue from the eyes of the opposition. Wisdom is better than regrets later.

The government needs to come up with a long-term solution to introduce reforms and collect revenue, one that does not rely on imposing more taxes on the middle class. Owing to the uncertainty of polices in the country, investors’ confidence has been badly damaged. The need to increase exports is important to stabilise the economy. The government must rethink its policies that will damage the already sick and weak export sector. For improvement in balance of the payment situation, good measures are urgently needed. Everything does not revolve around corruption. Incompetence is more costly. In our quest for economic and political progress, we all go up or else we all go down. Why don’t politicians understand this simple rule? Why are they bent upon destroying what is left? Economic indicators presented in the budget are extremely worrisome. Who is responsible for incapacity, neglect and indifference? Please don’t put future of the nation at stake.

There should be at least some hope. The poor will one day get desperate. Politicians should give some hope for the better. Politicians have to go an extra mile for self-correction. They have to demonstrate tasteful behaviours for self-projection, if not the country. Attitudes and behaviours of politicians are polluting the environment and adding to the already present negativity and tensions. Don’t add to the variety of existing tensions. Don’t snatch their smiles, let people live with grace. Let democracy work. Let Pakistan have a positive image.

The writer is former Director, National Institute of Public Administration (NIPA) Government of Pakistan, a public policy expert