Disharmony in policy

This refers to the letter ‘Keep it public’ (December 21, 2023) by Khawaja Tajammul Hussain. While the caretaker finance minister has called for privatization in the insurance sector, the Sindh government has recently set up an insurance company to undertake insurance business in the province. What a contrast in thinking at the highest policy levels.

It seems that the federation and the provinces do not see eye to eye on the issue of public sector ownership. There is a likelihood that the Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governments will follow Sindh’s example and start insurance companies of their own. This disharmony in policies is not good for the economy and may be adding confusion to the unending debate about the pros and cons of public ownership.

Huma Arif

Karachi