Daily Times

Why have the policy makers repeatedly failed in creating relevance? Ordinary people are either ignored or deliberately misunderstood. On August 18, 2019, the current elected government has completed its first year in office. The score card is mixed while several corrective measures including institutional strengthening has been carried out, so far relief to the common man has been limited. Today it was reported that the power sector has witnessed an increase of revenue of Rs. 121 billion while curtailing line losses of Rs. 16 billion. Other important initiatives include the Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) and Aerial Bundling Cable (ABC) to avoid illegal connections and power theft.

The first open pit coal mine at Thar is now operational. 660 MW of power is being generated from this indigenous resource. On September 05, 2019 I will be presenting my paper at the International Pittsburgh Coal Conference (IPCC 2019) titled, “Building a Coal Based Energy System in Pakistan”. For the last fifty years Sui Gas fuelled the nation, now Thar Coal can fuel the much needed energy for the next century.

As a political leader Imran Khan (IK) was not launched overnight. Unlike his opponents who were pushed into the corridors of power, IK had to struggle for over two decades. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) had the services of the best brains of the country. There was a Shadow Cabinet in place together with four Think Tanks to formulate policies. With honest and able leadership at the top, the expectations were very high. Despite commendable efforts the ordinary people remain dissatisfied.

Ailments have to be first diagnosed and then treated for cure. There have been major advancements in medicine both in diagnostics and treatment. Most politicians are very smart in reading the pulse of their electorate yet they fail to deliver. Here comes the concept of electables, these individuals over a period of time develop links with the administrative machinery to create a winning combination. The principle being, ‘You rub my back, I will rub yours’. At the end of the day, ordinary people are made to suffer while this unholy alliance enjoys the fruits of power.

Whenever an opportunity is created, the people of Pakistan have voted for change. In 1970 elections most established politicians had to forfeit their security deposits, there was an overwhelming support for a new order. In 2018 contest PTI allocated tickets to 88 electables, only 18 could got elected, some of these unelected individuals have now been inducted as advisers to the PM.

Though small in size, the concept of ‘Riyasat-e-Madina also holds ground. The agenda has to be the uplift of the ordinary people for which an effective framework must be developed after debate, discussion and inputs from the people it is meant to serve not rule, exploit or control

Free and fair elections followed by un-interrupted terms in office can being some relevance in the lives of the ordinary people otherwise it would be business as usual. Since independence in August 1947, there has been a constant decline in services for the common people. Lahore had an effective transport system, the entire city was covered by a fleet of buses and double deckers of Lahore Omnibus Service(LOS). Every locality had a corporation school, where good education was available at no cost. Even one room village schools turned out future engineers, doctors and administrators who not only served their families but also built the nation.

There is a massive disconnect between the macro and micro economic indicators. The rich are getting richer while poverty continues to rise. Clash between labour and capital continues unabated. Socialist doctrine of Karl Marx has been forgotten. After the breakup of the United Socialist Soviet Republic, People’s Republic of China (PRC) has kept its course but it is no longer Chairman Mao’s commune driven revolutionary country.

After independence, Pakistan had a chance to start afresh political leadership was able and honest. Liaquat Ali Khan the first PM declared that he would not own a house till every Pakistani had one. The founding fathers were sent home after the first Martial Law in October 1958, the dictator then allotted himself a prime 40 kanal plot in the new capital to build his mansion. Since then the exploitation process has continued. Plots, permits, jobs, loans only for a selected few has become the norm.

Bureaucracy has become a major impediment to change and totally irrelevant to the welfare of the ordinary people. Officers enjoy facilities and perks but deliver nothing in return. Most public facilities are in control of the Mafias with rampant corruption. Government offices do not have parking space nor public toilets. Cars parked outside are lifted by forklifters resulting in fines and penalties.

In Pakistan two models of development stand out. The brilliant economist Dr.Mehboob-ul-Haq at the end of his journey realized that his policies had resulted in concentration of wealth within 22 families, it proved to be a top heavy model. By contrast, Dr. Abdul Hamid Khan focused on rural development. His orange Town Project stands out as a model for the uplift of the rural population it was a bottom up approach to development.

The low cost housing and ‘Ehsas’ programme of the PTI government has generated hope for the ordinary people. Lot more needs to be done to understand ground realities and then launch relevant initiatives to uplift the masses. Though small in size, the concept of ‘Riyasat-e-Madina also holds ground. The agenda has to be the uplift of the ordinary people for which an effective framework must be developed after debate, discussion and inputs from the people it is meant to serve not rule, exploit or control.

The writer is Ex-Chairman Pakistan Science Foundation, He can be reached at fmaliks@hotmail.com