Imtiaz Ali Shah
From inception, Pakistan was in state of dilemma with no resources and infrastructure. Developed departments were not there. Sudden demise of Quaed created hardships for newly emerged country. Early fifties floods also added in devastation which compelled Pakistan to get financial assistance for which US was ready there to “fulfill” our needs which have proved to endless to the right now. Quaed himself requested US for dollars and these requests are continued with our additional quality of outstare. This is our unique quality to beg and outstare to the same country at the same time. Instead to develop the country we are only to beg before the rich nations.
In addition to get loans from IMF, we have also adopted IMF habbits. The habbits which made the nation handicap, exposed to beg, not to strive for respectable life, not to do business hence no creation of wealth. Up to the Ayub era, regimes were changed frequently due to which no progress were made in any field of life. During the eleventh year regime of Ayub, Pakistan made immense progress in every sphere of life. It was due to continuity, stability, formation of far reaching policies, their implementation and above all due to honest leadership. From Bhutto’s era major bebacle in economy was nationalization of industries which halted production and growth of industry. However to send Pakistanis to friendly countries particularly to Gulf states conferred some relief to the country. It also brought major changes in uplift of common people.However from the end of Bhutto’s regime another and lethal phase started from which societal and economic destruction of the country started. To give perpetuaty to power and for eradication of Bhuttuism, repulsive was played with this nation with unaffordable cost. Roots of the society and financial base spoiled. Due to these evil deeds and Afghan war we saw a fresh meaning to nation’s thought and envision. Instead to go with honesty we started with short cuts grabbed corrupted wealth and begging before other nations to run our daily business. Instead to strengthen economy, business and trade and creating opportunities of sustainable growth we only depended on foreign assistance. The assistance which we received due to Afghan wars or natural calamities.
Now we are in habbit to have any regional war partnership or waiting for calamities due to which our bread and butter would be possible as we have not learned beyond this. Only business we know is of real estate. No ideas no innovation in production or service sectors.Wealth which were received from US during Afghan wars was not utilized properly. Major of its were gone to individual pockets. Instead to consolidate industries, business, agriculture and growth of private business nothing was done due to which we are wholly depending on foreign financial oxygen. After Ayub’s era another period of stability and economic growth was under the Musharaf’s first three years regime in which country was paved on right path. If that pace with no interuption was continued we would have reached to appropriate level. US our “friend” donot like such state of positive affairs. She put stress on Musharraf and compelled him to democracy drivers of which have not proved their capabilities and got huge quantity of loans from international agencies / organizations. Instead to strength the departments and make progress of the country possible no appropriate actions were taken by them so far. Major portion of borrowings were spoiled due to corruption and efficiency issues. At present, global arena have been abruptly changed whereas we have become beggars nation bowing before one nation or other for loans to run our routine business affairs. Seeing all these activities, whole nation have become to rely on soft earned money without any labour and efforts. Everywhere people like to live king style life without any travails. Whenever you park your vehicle you will find ample of people around you for help. We feel pity on roadside sitting workers but on giving them some work we feel bad on their dishonesty and bad behavior with employers. In addition to that they don’t Ike to learn any skills from the market on the basis of which they prove themselves useful for others.
In all service sectors there are lack of professionalism and skills Other nations have now been tired to give us financial assistance. We have not developed any department for which it was mandated. When in 80s IT industry was to be launched in pakistan due to low labour cost by foreign investors, multiple problems were created by our red tapism . Due to this they shifted all these ideas to India. IT industry established in Banglore now have spread in the whole country and in many international organizations indians are performing their services at top level. All nations which get loans utilize it for development and growth in all field of life for increase in wealth, to repay loans and for sustainable creation of wealth, whereas we utilized borrowed money aimlessly and spoiled our precious resources due to lack of planning and efficiency. At present, world is passing on supersonic pace. Inventions on daily basis, revolution in technology have opened eyes of all nations except Pakistan where there is no room for any innovations lead to progress. No stability in regimes hence no progress and development in the country. Agriculture, industry commerce and other fields of life are going without fresh ideas. All businesses are being run on primitive ideas. Our businessmen have not produced fresh ideas for reliability and durability of their products / appliances and their conformity with desired international standards. Contrary to imported products all locals are substandard and far behind the international standards. Instead to develop industry and business, national resources are spoiled on account of lack of planning and execution. This state of affairs are from car to microwave. In agriculture we have not introduced/opted new ideas and technology on the basis of which per acre yield can be increased. We drive agri affairs on primitive mindset whereas world is moving very fast and they are getting ample of yield from their crops Neither we are controlling population nor improving our agri-culture. In these circumstances how we will survive. If agri products are imported how we will survive as our import bill for other essentials is already adversely affecting our balance of payments. In private sector some loyal and sincere pakistanis are imparting training to youngsters to earn from internet. Due to this, ample of dollars are arriving in the country. If we have not revisit our policies, our way of life, to which extent we will survive. This is belated realization but if we want to remain in international arena without begging we will have to do something contrary to the existing state of affairs. At the state level financial resources may be preserved and innovations introduced in all sphere of life for growth of the country. Instead to opt “IMF habbits” i.e to live on donations and loans, we should stand on our feet and strive with honesty, dedication and hard work for dignified way of life.