Nature gives unlimited opportunities to everyone but how many of us understand the nature is very limited. COVID-19 has brought in a disaster to the economy and people, but it also generated several opportunities that Pakistan missed due to limited vision and poor governance. Although it is uncomfortable for almost every Pakistani to be self-disciplined, but its blessings are countless. I came out of quarantine yesterday and went for errands. I saw roads, streets and markets were filled with people. Even markets and shopping malls were full of people without precursory measures to avoid the COVID-19 pandemic in Islamabad. Especially, I saw markets flooded with people in the evening. I think it is a difficult decision to detain people at home. The government and people have readymade excuses to justify their actions. We cannot afford lockdown but are we ready to pay the cost of COVID-19 if the outbreak is uncontrollable?
The decision to regulate market lockdown can change the fate and direction of society. For example, if the government restricts the markets to open from 8am to 5pm, it could save a huge amount of electricity. Electricity deficit (load-shedding) has become a culture of Pakistan, but it is much more habit of the people than the real problem. If we use sunlight, we can reduce the electricity load significantly and thereby reduction in the electricity bills too. In exceptional cases, restaurants, vegetable/ fruit shops and milk shops may be allowed to be open till 7pm. Daylight can be used in the markets and shopping centers. This saved electricity can be used in industry, agriculture and other industrial usages. Exact statistics may not be available, however, one may notice one third part of the electricity is consumed in the evening (from 6pm to 11pm). This load can be reduced with this single decision and its forceful implementation similar to the other developed societies. Sooner or later, people can adopt it.
The decision to close markets at 5pm can also reduce the rush of the vehicles on the roads in the evening. It can reduce carbon emissions, road congestions and air and noise pollutions. This will not only improve the public health, but it can improve the quality of life of the general public which Pakistan already never realized. This decision during covid-19 can be a blessing in disguise to spend quality time with family, capacity building, relatives and also generate even better economic opportunities.
This decision can enhance the online business which is limited right now in Pakistan. Youth, who needs jobs and employment, can be trained entrepreneur to start online businesses. For online businesses, nonetheless, we may need fresh legislation to protect both buyers and sellers as there is mistrust and misuse of the online work. Federal as well as provincial governments can have a legislation to protect the online business and regulate it. Even the government has better chances to collect taxes on the online business with a limited manpower. Young people can start online business with a few amounts, but they can earn huge money and pay taxes to the national exchequer. They can spread their online business and become a business tycoon. They do not have to pay rent and electricity bills and buy online shop from the government or from a private website to start it. While selling items, they may pay tax as an essential requirement of the business.
Women can be a winner in the online business as this world can generate more opportunities and new vistas of earnings for young women than men
These online businesses, as it is prevailing in the West but very limited in Pakistan, may generate a parallel economy. We do not have only new businesses, but have a new industry, supply chains, postal services, and new opportunity of employment for young people. The youngsters with only handful machinery can earn money. They may establish their business not only within land but across borders. Nevertheless, we must know richest people (Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg) have online business.
Women can be a winner in the online business as this world can generate more opportunities and new vistas of earnings for young women than men. These women may already sit at home, might have idle life, and limited opportunity in economic growth. With online business they can earn not only money but also have economic engagement and maintain their mental health wellbeing.
We do not only have online business for youth and women, but we can also have opportunities for adults, those who do not know online business, but they can have markets open from 8am till 5pm. This will not only save the precious lives of the people, but they can also discipline the formal and informal economy of the country. With these decisions and implementation measures, the state can have huge collection of the taxes. Even the excuse to pay tax with new reality will be limited.
On the top of those mention above opportunities, COVID-19 has improved the nature and environment. It has restricted people to play with the nature. Online business and limited market activities can conserve the nature.
In a nutshell, COVID-19 has generated a new worldview, online businesses, and conservation of nature. Only two decisions by the government (effective legislation and its implementation) and entrepreneurship opportunities can have a new economy. This new economy will not only save the nature but can have even more and better opportunities for the unemployed and even unskilled youth. The youth is already idle and without even vision, victim of the youth bulge and even prone to be victim of the conflict and violence, can generate new a new horizon.
The writer is Chairman, Department of Sociology at Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad. He can be reached: [email protected]