‘Politics of interests, allegations creating instability’

LAHORE

A series of allegations among political parties before the elections is impacting politics and the election commission and superior judiciary should take notice of the issue. 

These views were expressed by the speakers at Jang Economic Session on ‘Impact of rise in political temperature on economic growth agenda’. The panelists were Dr Ikram-ul-Haq, Ahsan Wayne, Khurshid Ahmed, Prof Musarrat Abid, Qayum Nizami, Rifat Malik and Yousaf Baloch while the seminar was hosted by Sikindar Lodhi.

Dr Ikram-ul-Haq said social system has failed badly due to nonexistence of taxpaying culture while political instability is directly related to the economy. He said the rulers have captured resources and want their monopoly on the resources while a planned monopolistic system is being introduced in society. He called for strengthening Pakistan through industrialisation. 

Ahsan Wayne said current politics was brining Pakistan to collapse while allegations between politicians and political parties against each other create panic among local and foreign investors. He said export volume should be $120 billion which is only $20 billion due to nondemocratic politics. He said budget deficit could not be controlled due to debt servicing. He called for adopting democratic attitude to improve politics.

Khurshid Ahmed said Pakistani politicians were elites who never gave any socio-economic growth programme to highlight youth and labour issues. He suggested long-term policies by focusing on national economic growth agenda, reducing a gap between the poor and rich by increasing imports and declining exports and budget deficit. 

Prof Musarrat Abid said the politics of allegations or personal interests are creating political and economic instability which is affecting the commoners and investment. She called for socio-economic justice to control the concentration of wealth in few hands. She believed poverty, crime and illiteracy were the major issues of Pakistan for which comprehensive steps were required. 

Qayum Nizami said political and economic stability was required for state stability while economy was declining in Pakistan. He said if trend of negative politics is not discouraged, it could affect CPEC projects. He called for banning the political gatherings and said a non-political authority should be established to avoid any damage to CPEC projects. 

Rifat Malik said land management, labour and public sector enterprises’ issues should be resolved on priorities as strong public sector enterprises will make the economy stronger. She said investment was declining due to lack of planning. She called for planning to control population growth and cut cost of production. She suggested effective taxation system to increase national income.

Yousaf Baloch said social stability is also crucial for economic growth while economy is caught in debt trap despite the claims of the rulers. He called for spending on production and infrastructure development to control unemployment.