Daily Times

According to my friend Dr. Kamal Monnoo the economist, the common man is not responsible for the debt nor is a stakeholder in the loot, misuse of nations treasury. In Persian it is termed as ‘Na Karda Gunahki Saza’ (Punishment for un-committed sins). Today the people of Pakistan find themselves in an unbearable grind. Basic survival is becoming difficult for the downtrodden segments of the society. Even the price of ‘Roti’ (bread) the very basic ingredient for survival is being raised. In 1967 when Bhutto launched his People’s Party, ‘Roti, was at the core of his movement.

In civilized societies, there is always respect for ‘Roti’ in whatever forms it comes. The cost of basic burger at MacDonald’s has not has not changed in decades. In UK the cost of milk and bread have remained unchanged for ages. Bhutto’s government established ‘Roti Corporation’ to ensure uninterrupted supply to the common man, it was called ‘Paki Pakai Taza Roti (Ready to eat fresh bread). In Punjab Shahbaz Sharif launched the ‘Sasti Roti’ project. Flour was provided to selected ‘Tandoors’ at discounted rates to ensure ‘Roti’ at an affordable price of Rs. 2/-. It proved to be a big scam which is now being investigated. ‘Roti Corporation’ was shut down and its assets plundered. So it is back to the basics, ‘Roti’ continues to be out of reach of the masses.

Revenue is required to run the state. Tax collection has always been an uphill task. Hardly 1% people pay income tax and that too mostly the salaried class. Indirect taxation was introduced by the imported and plastic Prime Minister (PM) Shaukat Aziz. Taxing the already taxed for survival is inhuman and unjustified. In addition the collection apparatus is also corrupt and inefficient. As Chairman Abdullah Yousaf who was a qualified Chartered Accountant introduced several reforms in the Central Board of Revenue (CBR), even the name was changed to Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).

Tax culture needs to be developed gradually. Pakistanis are one of the highest charity giving and lowest tax paying people of the world. It is the fear that keeps them away that is why they are willing to pay but with no one sided strings attached. As an honest, law abiding businessman my father was always at odds with tax collection agencies as they were more interested in collecting for themselves than for the state. He had to fight several legal battles to protect his honesty.

The FBR is again under a qualified professional who means business as he has seen both sides. As a leading Tax consultant he is battle hardened to take on the ‘Mafia’ that exists in most government departments. His appointment has not been taken lightly as he has the ability of a major clean up of the sluggish and corrupt tax collection apparatus.

The other serious issue is the lack of services for the public. Education and health are the two hardest hit sectors of essential human needs. Over the years the availability of clean drinking water has also emerged as a serious health hazard. With wastage and no recycling water scarcity is now looming over the nation. Billions have been squandered in the ‘Saaf Pani’ project of the previous government. Today not a single water treatment plant is operative in the country, causing serious damage to our water aquifers and rivers. The ‘Nulah Laeh’ of Rawalpindi was once clean stream of flowing water now it has become a sewage dump.

Let the sinners pay for their sins but spare the innocent people of the Islamic Republic as they have already suffered enough at the hands of the unscrupulous political leadership of the past

For the last about forty years (1977 to 2018) people of Pakistan have been made to suffer. The elected government of PTI is now trying to reverse the decline which is an uphill task. The low cost housing, health cards and ‘Ehsas’ programmes to help the downtrodden segments of the population are good moves which should be supported. Massive recoveries of the looted national resources should continue unabated but the common man should not be burdened in the process. Transitions are never easy which require careful planning and astute implementation both of which are not obvious as yet.

Rising prices of essential commodities are hurting the common man who feels betrayed by the government he elected by his own precious vote. ‘Naya Nahi Purana’ (Not new but old) a new slogan has started to circulate which must be countered as there is no going back. For our generation perhaps it is the last chance to deliver. In the words of my son, ‘We are not as able but we are certainly less corrupt’. So basically it is a contest between corruption and incompetence that is why neither side can win. Gone are the days when people at the helm were both honest and competent who led from the front.

I opened my eyes in an honest and competent Pakistan, I am not sure whether I will be able to close in the same. For me it will be the biggest regret of life if we are unable to pass on the same Pakistan that we inherited if not better. All is not well in the Islamic Republic. People of the republic have to pay for the sins of the imposed leadership now they should be spared by their freshly elected leaders that they voted into power by their free will. Though expectations are high and not easily achievable, yet some relief is possible. In Lahore the provincial government has been able to retain the price of ‘Roti’ at Rs. 6/=. Utility bills also need some rationalization for the low end users as they have become unaffordable. Debt investigation committee should speed up their work to recover the looted wealth, in the meantime the elected government of PTI should focus on relief to the common man. Let the sinners pay for their sins but spare the innocent people of the Islamic Republic as they have already suffered enough at the hands of the unscrupulous political leadership of the past.

The writer is Ex-Chairman Pakistan Science Foundation