This is with regards to the article, ‘Iknomics – walking the PTI talk’, published yesterday. I found Imran Khan’s views on economy and politics in general, childish and uninformed, to say the least. in one interview, he said that Pakistan should end its alliance with USA and meet its subsequent balance of payments crisis by developing a copper mine somewhere in Pakistan. Well, balance of payments refers to current account and developing mines is in itself a capital expenditure, which will take years to materialise when Pakistan may default on its current liabilities. Moreover, if America imposes sanctions on Pakistan, after its withdrawal or Pakistan defaults, no financial institution will finance these fancy copper and coal projects. Imran Khan’s views on Taliban and peace talks with them are even more childish and reflect the Pakistan Army’s view that all is lost in tribal areas and it is best to hand over parts of tribal areas to Taliban, which will make them more ambitious. All in all, it is a sheer hopeless situation for Pakistan and Pakistanis’ inability to accept that their state and its idea has failed which is what makes them desperately cling to a mirage called, Imran Khan. In my opinion, Nawaz Sharif would be a much better bet for Pakistan.
Financial Analyst
Karachi