LAHORE: The expectations and wishes of the people of Pakistan have not been fulfilled in the past 75 years, while the new government will do the same what the past governments had done as these governments are made to look after the interests and desires of the elite class.
These views were expressed by the discussants in Jang Economic Session on the topic of ‘Creation of the new government – Will public expectations and wishes fulfil?’ The panelists were Ms Saher Malik, Qayyum Nizami, Hussain Ahmed Sherazi, Dr Qais Aslam and Dr Ikram ul Haq while moderated by Sikindar Lodhi.
Ms Saher Malik said the new government will not stay long due to the prevailing situation in the country. Taxation system is the biggest problem of Pakistan and the proper accountability of every institution and fair system is need of the hour, she added. “As a nation, we are becoming weak morally. After watching plenty of wrong doings in government affairs, today even a common man is not afraid of doing something wrong”.
She further said that majority of people did not have any hope that they will get any relief from the new government because they think that the new government is not coming into power to safeguard people’s interest but to protect its own goals and targets, she added.
Qayyum Nizami said that the wave of disappointment is increasing in the society because the expectations of the masses have not been fulfilled for the last 75 years. He said that every party claimed to end inflation in its election campaign and speeches but once they come into power, they forget every promise, including ending inflation. The inflation is artificial due to nonexistence of checks and balances in our system, he added.
He said, good governance is necessary for the development of the country. Food, health and education are the basic needs of the people and these fundamental facilities should reach people irrespective of their political affiliations, he elaborated.
Hussain Ahmed Sherazi said that there will be many flaws and shortcomings in the new government and that is why it is feared that the new government will not last long. So how the instable govt can fulfil the wishes of the people?
He said that in the developed countries, people don’t have any fear about the fulfilment of their hopes and dreams. However, unfortunately, a large part of our society is suffering from multiple fears, he added.
He said majority of people belonging to middle and lower middle class want to get rid of poverty but unfortunately, this menace is growing unabatedly due to lack of job opportunities and increasing inflation.
According to the World Bank, inflation and poverty have broken all the records in Pakistan. The rates of electricity, gas and all other commodities are growing and industries are closing. If the industrial sector does not work, the inflation will never end and the people will never get economic and social justice, he opined.
Dr Qais Aslam said that policies are made for elite class in Pakistan. It is a painful fact that taxes are collected from the poor and spent on the elite class. There is dire need to improve the tax system and the taxes should equally be imposed on the rich class, he added.
He said the 21st century is the era of AI but majority of Pakistani children are illiterate mainly due to limited resources. Affordable electricity is needed for industrial development and water reservoirs required for food security, he urged. The current situation is pushing Pakistan towards serious economic, social and political crises.
Dr Ikram ul Haq said that the debt servicing is the real issue of Pakistan, regardless of any government. This problem may grow to alarming proportions in the new government as the debt burden of $27 billion will be due by November 2024. The inflationary problem is growing only because of taking more loans. Another IMF Loan Programme will put the Pakistan people into deep trouble and it is feared that the burden of taxes on the people will become unbearable.
He said the public expectations and wishes will be fulfilled only when the rulers think about public and end the inflation.