Hard times
If the economy, global as well as international, wasn’t being relentless, the government also has a tough crowd on its hands. First, in the form of an angry public, then in the form of angry opposition and wily coalition partners. And last, in the form of international allies that won’t let their interests be overshadowed by our own economic ones.
The US, for instance, is adamant we do not enter into a gas pipeline agreement with Iran. To make matters worse, key diplomats have even been suggesting for Pakistan to develop alternative energy sources. Chutzpah, if there ever was one. The US is a notoriously energy squandering country, which can wage wars for its addiction to oil and a refusal to conserve it. Barring the few upper-middle-class consumers in a state or two who drive hybrid vehicles, its electric power profile is overwhelmingly thermal. Yet it has issues with Pakistan eking out a deal with a friendly neighbouring country.
Back at home, the PML(N) and MQM are up in arms against the petrol price hikes. The MQM’s attempts to present a better case need to be scrutinised with great care. The party’s seemingly reasonable line is that the progression in prices is not sustainable and the government should cut off tariffs on petroleum products. Where would the revenue lost thus come from? Correct ratio of direct taxes to indirect taxes, the party says. Easier said than done. For instance, when the government wanted to reform the GST, the MQM and the Muslim Leagues opposed it tooth-and-nail. The newer model would not have increased the revenue quantum of the GST but, because of the way it was designed, created a better database for the collection of direct taxes.
To make things worse, the mass media is making having one’s cake and eating it too seem like the rational argument. Let us not pay taxes, have more government-funded programmes, have cheap oil regardless of what the stuff costs in the international markets, have cheap natural gas, have CNG stations operating throughout the week, have gas available to industrial units regardless of how little there is to ration out in the first place.
The situation of Pakistan economy is very critical.. our industrial sector is deprived from all basic facilities which it needed. The percentage of GDP is going down day by day. some foreign powers did not want that we may develop our economy position. that s why they are threatening us about the gas pippline agreement with neighbor country. who will admit that who is the responsible of this critical situation???????????????
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