Economic aspects much more serious

RAIS AHMAD KHAN

ARTICLE (April 10 2008): At a time, when sober thinking and restraint should be the order of the day to face the immense problems the country is confronted with, the shocks of previous three days might have jolted the entire civilised world into a re-assessment of their concepts of Pakistan, as a democracy.

The politicians will deal with the political and social fall-outs of the reprehensible happenings, but the economic aspects are much more serious and far- reaching, and may take decades to be restored to 'status quo ante'.

Leaving aside the prospects of foreign investments, even domestic entrepreneurs will re-assess their investment plans for the immediate or remote future. Capital, proverbially, is fleet-footed and flees at the first signs of disturbance, while here the alarm bells have been ringing for a long time.

The latest manifestations are only the symptoms of a chronic malaise. Our society is mainly a mass of illiterate, unsophisticated mobs of desperados, unfortunately, and not geared to the present day global inter-action. There are exceptions, and some outstanding individuals, like Dr Salam or A.Q. Khan, but the vast majority, including the so-called 'graduate' members of assembly with few exceptions, is a rag-tag association of opportunists, turncoats, or downright imbeciles.

Even the lawyers, who are expected to respect 'law and order' more than any one else, have proved wanting. Unless a miracle happens, and Divine help intervenes, the future is bleak and full of untold hardships, tears, and toil. Prime Minister Gilani has his work cut-out - get busy and disown the ruffians who have besmirched the name of his party, and dragged the nation's prestige into the mud.

Before any meaningful changes can be brought about, an overhaul of the lethargic bureaucracy, and also clipping the wings of the influence-peddlers, who make mockery of any piece of reform, is a must. The money managers have to rethink their strategy and go all out to re-assure the panick-stricken about an ultimately bright future.

The problems have been spelt out umpteen times, and need no repetition. Action is what is needed IMMEDIATELY, and can brook no delay or hesitancy. A bold programme should be chalked out and executed with defined goals - the top of which must be amelioration of the conditions of the downtrodden. Sacrifices have to be made, but must be shared in proportion to the capabilities of the 'haves' and 'have-nots'. The nation must be taken into confidence, and prepared for the difficult days ahead.

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