Pakistan Is Heading in the Right Direction
By Naveed Khan
CA
There is no doubt that on the surface Pakistan looks in dire straits and despite a healthy dose of democracy it continues to slide. People must look at the positives that have come about in the last four years and as they take hold, I am certain it will halt the decline and Pakistan will march toward days of greater glory with the confidence and purpose of building a great tolerant society. It may be difficult for the nay-sayers and detractors of the present government; however, I believe Pakistan is headed in the right direction.
Political compromise, strengthening of democratic institutions, rule of law, independent judiciary, amiable sharing of resources between the five provinces, initiation of political activity in FATA, process of rapprochement in Karachi and Hyderabad are all positive developments meant to strengthen the process. Most significant of the fundamental nation-building structures were warped and badly mangled by dictatorships and self-serving political leaders. Structural corrections have been instituted, independent judiciary will ensure that they are not undone and media will be vigilant in thwarting the present and successive governments from distorting it again. People should just sit back and think that some of the most divisive and intractable issues have been well addressed in the last four years and it will keep Pakistan on the right track.
On the economic front, things will improve. Despite huge budget shortfall, people should know that the current account deficit in Pakistan is at its lowest level in the country’s history because of the high level of remittances from abroad and record increase in exports. There are for sure positive signs on the economic front as the process of political reconciliation takes hold and judiciary gains strength by being credible and impartial. There is no doubt that Pakistan is faced with enormous, social, political and economic challenges. The greatest challenge confronting Pakistan is political and ideological violence emanating from ethnic divides and chasm in major cities and from misplaced and contorted ideology of the Taliban.
I believe that ideological violence perpetrated by the Taliban will decline as democracy becomes more transparent and as the date of USA/NATO troops withdrawal from Afghanistan approaches. Peaceful and total exit of the occupation troops from Afghanistan should be Pakistan's first priority. It will definitely lessen the tempo of ideological zealots and the militant and religious extremists. Presence of USA/NATO occupiers in Afghanistan is the major reason for militant groups to exist, breed and proliferate. Political violence is already on the decline and a few more conciliatory gestures would cause it to recede even further.
Political conciliation, accommodation of interests, emerging strong judicial systems auger well to attract foreign investment in vital sectors of the economy. Foreign Direct Investment would accelerate once they see that nation building initiatives are taking hold and a strong judicial system is emerging to protect their interests. I am of the firm belief a sure way to defeat militancy and violence is to strengthen democracy, accelerate political conciliation and attract global investments.
No doubt, the current situation in Pakistan looks bleak, however, the future looks encouraging. A few more hurdles to overcome and few more corrupt to be nailed, a few more political adjustments and the peaceful exit of the occupiers from Afghanistan and Pakistan would put the nation on the road to progress based on tolerance, respect and rule of law. It will be on the path to attain social integration with a common purpose to build Pakistan that would make us all proud. There is need to be vigilant, there is need for extra efforts in all spheres, but there is no need to be despondent. We need courage, unflinching and steadfast determination to make Pakistan a great success. As we celebrate the 64 years of its existence we need to make a solemn pledge to transform Pakistan into the best country of the world.
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