Pakistan’s biggest problem is its poor economy which has been further aggravated by unchecked flight of capital, rampant corruption, the lack of commitment of its economic managers, civil and uniformed bureaucracy, and the political ruling elite. What this country needs is a home-grown solution provided by home-grown economists, whose children would live in this country to face the consequences of their parent’s policies. In the case of Pakistan, with few exceptions, the majority of our political leadership has shifted all their assets abroad, which reflects the level of commitment to this country and their hopes for its survival. We need to reflect upon the role of our economic wizards.
A study of those associated with IMF or World Bank, who were deputed to Egypt during the past few years, before the mammoth problems forced the population to come out on the streets, will illustrate the point. Just look at India, a country faced with a population explosion, where an economist whose roots are in India has steered the country and today it is on the verge of becoming an economic power house in Asia. No politician, a serving senior bureaucrat in the civil or khaki establishment in India has children with dual nationalities, and has not shifted assets abroad.
Sonia Ghandi, an Italian by birth, had to give up her foreign nationality in order to be politically acceptable to the people of India. Compare this to the situation that prevails in Pakistan where even our former head of military Musharraf has shifted abroad while all his children had already acquired foreign nationalities even while he was in office.
Our ambassadors to key countries such as USA, UK, Saudi Arabia, UAE hold dual residential status, or are in the process of acquiring such a status. The problems that Pakistan faces today can never be resolved as long as this nation allows its fate and destiny to be in the hands of those whose commitment to this country is questionable. They cannot be expected to stand up to the pressures of foreign governments when their weakness for possession of palatial houses and investments abroad and commitment to this country is susceptible to pressures. Pakistan’s national interest, state sovereignty and future of 170 million citizens should not be entrusted in the hands of such people.
RASHID ORAKZAI
Quetta
