We don’t know how the figure of $6.1-tillion was arrived at because no details about the quantity and the price of the individual minerals are given. One must therefore put the whole scenario in proper perspective. Besides,
Whatever mineral wealth is there, it is only “Potential”; Pakistan lacks the economic and the technical manpower to exploit the same. We have to seek foreign companies’ help before taking any economic benefit out of it. Which implies that the major share of profits go to the international investor. Many African countries such as Nigeria (oil) Zambia (copper) have huge mineral wealth but are still poverty stricken. This proves that vast mineral wealth does not automatically translate into economic well being.
During my long life of 80 years, I have heard numerous speeches and slogans by the wily politicians, but all were like ‘Castles in the air’ and net result was zero.
The first one was ZA Bhutto who promised “Roti, Kapra aur makaan” in 1970, but after peoples party took over, Pakistan economy shrank and the poor never got roti, kapra or makaan.
Then came the CPEC. The so called game changer for Pakistan. Can anyone one honestly say that after 10 years, CPEC project has made Pakistan's economy significantly better?
PTI promised to recover 200-billion dollars stolen wealth but as usual it turned to be little more than a pipe dream.
Saindeck Copper & Gold deposits were discovered in 1970 and the mine has been producing since 1995 (?) but even after 28 years did it make any difference to Baluchistan?
Reckodiq project feasibility was completed in 2010. Whatever the reason, Pakistan has yet to earn single dollar from Rekodiq mines.
The point I am trying to make is that talk of the so-called ‘Potential’ $6.1- trillion riches is mere ‘Hogwash’. What Pakistan lacks and badly needs is good governance with competent/skilled manpower without which a country can not make economic progress.
Bangla Desh can boast exports of more than to $60-billion whereas Pakistan has yet to achieve half of this number. Bangla Desh does not claim to have $6-trillion in mineral wealth but obviously their governance is better and their labour is more productive, Has anyone asked why we are unable to even follow Bangla Desh's example?
There are undoubtedly many talented Pakistani but there are few and far between. In the UK as well as in the USA, Indians /Indian origin nationals hold top managerial and financial positions and won industries. Whereas Pakistanis are mostly shopkeepers, restaurateurs or clerks. In the Middle East, while Indian are mostly traders Pakistani fill the labour and building vacancies. Pakistani nation is badly in need of ‘Introspection’. We are prone to conspiracy theories and the only nation in the whole world where anti-Polio vaccine workers are shot dead! What kind of nation have we become?
You may hate Shabbar Zaidi, but kindly listen to his interview with Shahzeb Khanzada. Even if half of what he revealed is correct, unless Pakistanis are willing to change, the future is only down hill.
