- The rot in the fish starts from its head
PTI leadership’s seven month long campaign against the ‘thieves’ and ‘dacoits’ in the opposition might have provided it a measure of psychological relief but has failed to stop the steady decline in the national economy. The FBR has missed its first nine-month tax collection target by a record Rs318 billion against a Rs3 trillion target set by the PTI government itself. The uncertainties and fears about the IMF programme and the FTF policies persist. The claims of expatriates voluntarily flooding the exchequer with greenbacks have turned out to be a part of pre-poll disinformation campaign. The PTI leadership needs to realize that economic policies do not succeed on the basis of assumptions, hopes and expectations, and least of all through accusations and threats. They succeed on the basis of realistic assessments, competent implementation and the promotion of an enabling environment. This is where the PTI administration has singularly failed.
A perception is gradually being formed that Imran Khan has little comprehension of statecraft. His simplistic reduction of complex social and economic problems to corruption alone has led to excesses being committed by NAB. The businessmen are scared of NAB and are unwilling to invest while government officers are unwilling to sign files for fear of being nabbed. On Sunday several important administrative secretaries including those heading the home and finance departments in Punjab were changed avowedly to improve the civil servants’ efficiency. There are media reports hinting at a reshuffle in bureaucracy and the cabinet at the federal level also. Making a handful of bureaucrats or a few ministers scapegoats will not help. Unless the PTI leadership comes up with an insightful policy to raise taxes, puts an end to the prevailing reign of terror which discourages the investors and demoralizes bureaucracy, economy would continue to deteriorate.
The longer Imran Khan continues his tirade against the opposition the more he is restricting his space to maneuver. There can be no meaningful legislation without consultation with the opposition. Reliance on quick fixes has already done enough harm to the country. What is required is an effective, long-term economic policy devised by taking all stakeholders into confidence.