Daily Times

Genesis of RFPs is the awe-inspiring and provocative idea which germinated the change in Dr. Haque’s story, was an unrealized change that he had actually perceived through his framework of economic growth. An economist at heart, Dr. Haque intersperses his fictional work with real life economic policies and goes to great lengths in explaining his ideas in terms of economics principles. Complexity is one of those ideas. The change he espouses is completely organic and has no well-defined hierarchies. The interventions and course corrections come from the adaptive interactions of agents in economy.

As the story continues, narrated by Rashida, “the RFPs instigated change within themselves and propagated the idea to the masses whose demands gradually drove the political establishment to change direction. These networks facilitated better governance by highlighting the country’s issues. Widespread participation precipitated discourse and eventually paved way for constitutional reform by educating and informing the people and politicians. Electoral reforms, curtailing discretionary powers of the Prime Minister, balanced budgeting, judicial independence, legislation through private members, empowered local governments, depoliticizing service delivery and census were a few outcomes of the initial change. Also, the country was bifurcated into twenty smaller administrative units instead of five. Governments went under review a little more often due to the electoral reforms. This decentralization of government proved to be a boon for the economy and quality of life as public accountability increased.”

The rent-seeking bureaucracy had accumulated perks and privileges by collaboration and collusion with the corrupt political elites. As the political devolution took place this pyramid of power also flattened. Land holdings had long been the avenue of the rent-seeking behaviour. The reforms abolished the privileged access to land strict regulations put into place. The ‘success norm’ was re-aligned.

The private sector had long been expanding on the expense of the government as it had essentially been its integral part. Their mercantilist policies had distorted development. Donors led policies in collaboration with these industrialist/politicians had also distorted production-trade balance. Sugar, automotive, cotton, fertilizer, cement and banking sectors wreaked havoc on the economy. These industrialists exploited policies, shunned innovation and entrepreneurship and created oligopolies in these sectors.

Fiscal responsibility, open economy, efficient judiciary and general well-being of our people are pipe dreams. The history of the last 75 years is diametrically opposite to the picture painted by Dr.Haque

These practices in turn gave birth to an informal economy as the trust of the people in their government vanished. The taxation system targeted this informal sector instead of ending mercantilism. The cities became large uncontrollable sprawls. Fundamentalism also became an issue in the absence of state oversight. Education and health sectors had deteriorated beyond disrepair.

However, the RFP espoused approach triggered political change which cascaded a complete transformation in a quarter of a century. This ‘bottom-up’ change broke the rent-seeking and reined in the rampant bureaucracy. Pakistani society became an inclusive one. Has had double digit growth rate for the past two decades. Literacy is all time high and one of the healthiest countries in the world. Developed governance and market systems have been the true reform.

As the DaudRashida finished the fascinating report he notes systems were built rather than sectors. He states that prioritising state building and supporting agents of change is the way to achieve this transformation from a failed state to a thriving one. At the end of the book, Dr. Haque does indeed paint a very rosy picture of a Pakistan none of us have thought possible.

As long as this is treated as a work of fiction, there is absolutely nothing wrong with it. But considering the fact that Dr. Haque is a serious scientist, most of his ideas are grounded in experience, this future seems a little too good to be true. Although reforms regarding local governance, decentralisation and rural development are promising avenues of possible change, even they are a little too optimistic.

It is very hard to imagine even a fraction of change that Dr. Haque has envisioned. Fiscal responsibility, open economy, efficient judiciary and general well-being of our people are pipe dreams. The history of the last 75 years is diametrically opposite to the picture painted by Dr. Haque. His thesis depends on genesis of RFPs and considering our societal laziness, it all seems a little too far-fetched. Thus, book is an essential read for anyone who is inquisitive to comprehend the process of reform and process of development, especially how to trigger the two

Concluded

The writer is a freelancer