The shot’s been fired

Can the bullet be deflected?

After tumultuous and prolonged priming of the trigger, the apex court has finally pulled it. On Friday, the Honourable Prime Minister of Pakistan submits to the jurisdiction of the court in response to a contempt notice. The ricochet has already hit the main council in the Bhutto reference. Avoidable and unfortunate events, to say the least, added to the ever-growing list of inexplicable happenings endemic to the land of the pure.

In the normal course, a simple glance at the massive problems facing the country would immediately have one visualising all the prime institutions deeply embedded in addressing solutions to provide relief and benefits commensurate with needs. Instead incomprehensible priorities have overwhelmed the scenario. Conflicts and confrontation are the order of the day where restraint and coherent response are desperately needed.

Scandals, omissions and commissions are not unknown in the civilised world but then they are handled in accordance with the law of the land discharged impartially, without prejudice and implemented in letter and spirit. Thus, achieving the perfect constitutional balance between pillars of the estate. I believe it is an unbiased observation to say that abundant gray incidences can be cited in a chequered past to create serious mistrust between the lead players. This drives the atmosphere of incessant instability in which we exist.

Since our part of the world is in constant negative focus of the developed world, it is not out of place to mention the innumerable calls being received from overseas, foreigners and the diaspora alike, seeking clarification and information. To say they are puzzled is being polite. Commerce is at a standstill. Investments are in limbo. Pakistan’s losses in this crisis are inestimable.

Pakistani leadership at all levels must take time to cast a glance at some very recent economic indicators. A US-based consortium has proposed investment of $10 billion in the Thar coal and energy project. Given the current power and gas crisis, and estimated to get worse, this is a godsend. The rewards of developing almost two billion tonnes of coal reserve will have a colossal impact on the economy. Every institution in Pakistan must facilitate this. Recent evidence, unfortunately, is to the contrary. Concessions granted for investment have been viewed as scams and jeopardised. In some instances, it may be correct, however it must be understood that the word “concession” implies special terms and incentives to induce large investment in infrastructure and development projects that are unlikely to be achieved under normal circumstances. Granting concessions is the privilege of the government.

On the domestic front, for the first time during the current government tenure development spending has not been curbed despite the fact that government needs to provide Rs 3 trillion in power subsidies. Rs 100 billion have been provided for power, water infrastructure and transportation projects during the first six months. The finance ministry has also restricted government expenditure for the first six months and revenue collection has achieved its six-month target of Rs 840 billion. Exports are up and likely to improve upon last year’s $ 25 billion. Remittances are up by 20% and reserves of $ 17 billion remain adequate to meet financial commitments that are to become due.

All this is lost in the current melee. The institutions of this country need to focus on the economy. Build on these indicators and implement reforms, build processes and expansion of the tax net, encourage investment and lending, empower entrepreneurial skills, develop venture capital and transfer opportunity from the robber barons to new, committed businesses. Law and order, discipline and the fight against terrorism require unlimited focus and commitment. The very basic needs of the people require attention and focus. When and where is this going to happen if the executive is tied up in chaos? When will the people get relief from the courts when the application of a contractually employed, retired general dismissed by government in exercise of its legal prerogative is taken up immediately while hundreds of more deserving petitions are either ‘discharged’ or given long dates?

It is a shame that better sense has not prevailed in all quarters. Confrontation is avoidable. Perhaps not easily; it requires restraint and forbearance. Adopting a position that damages one’s ability to function and continuing to perpetrate it is shooting oneself in the foot. Sucking the energy from the momentum only feeds the morass. It is difficult to fathom why a government given all the support it had at the commencement of its tenure would allow ego and poor judgement to bring it to this state. We stand for democracy and support the government in its endeavour to make parliament supreme. But that supremacy functions within the limitations of the constitution. And yes, all, repeat all, institutions are governed by the very same constitution.

There is no such thing as ‘no turning back’. Even now there is ample opportunity for all sides to climb down from the high horse and reach a settlement that would bring the situation back from the horns of the precipice. In the recent past, a phone call from General Kayani, reversed Nawaz’ long march from Gujranwala. Perhaps a similar call now will deflect the bullet.

The writer may be contacted via e-mail at [email protected]