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It’s Simply ‘Commonsensical’
By Lt Gen Muhammad Haroon Aslam (Retd)
While the economic gurus remain busy with regular diagnostic commentaries on the economic turmoil in the country, the Government continues to harp on the tune of “all is well”. Amid the ever-increasing price hike, shrinking of businesses and closure of the industry, the finance minister remains pugnaciously adamant that the ship is on course and not taking in water. It seems that the situation is not entirely under control as the Prime Minister is feverishly running from pillar to post to borrow US Dollars from wherever he can. The dollar crunch has put trade, commercial and industrial activities in a nosedive. What’s the remedy? Keeping economists’ abracadabra aside is a matter of common sense. It appears that our decision-makers cannot call to mind the inevitability of common sense. No wonder Voltaire said, “Common sense is not so common.” What is a commonsensical solution to our economic woes? Let us first identify the problems.
Our main issue is of US Dollar liquidity crunch. To put it plainly, we don’t have sufficient US dollars with us to take care of our import bill. Our inflow of dollars is lesser than the outflow. We have to essentially fix this problem first, and the other issues, to quite an extent, would fall in place. We must exercise strict control over activities that directly or indirectly consume foreign exchange. It cannot be business as usual, which seems to be the case with all of us. The country is sinking into the pitfall of economic regression with the resultant impact on all dimensions of national security. Our main chunk of imports is oil and gas. The solution lies in outright conservation. The import of these two commodities must be reduced. Can we? Yes, if we have the will to do so, but one doesn’t find that will either in the public or the bigwigs in the governments. What’s to be done? Free petrol for public servants???? Stop it other than essentially needed for official duties. Rationing of electricity is imperative. Discontinue wasteful use of streetlights, illumination, and proliferation of neon signs.
If it can be done in most EU countries, why not here. One is appalled to see the most shameless display of opulence by the public representatives and government functionaries, whether it is jet set style travelling in planes or moving around in large cavalcades with the customary display of power and authority. Strict rationing, control and punitive actions are essential. Fix a petrol quota for all government vehicles. Let the public learn to live with meaningful rationing. Let’s do it voluntarily, otherwise, we will be forced to do it out of compulsion. There is ongoing rationing of edible oil in Germany. If they can do it, why can’t we? Do you recall the remarks of Angelina Jolie after having a sumptuous lunch with PM Gillani’s family during the floods of 2010? She had bitterly criticized when she was served rich culinary delights while the poor children in flood-affected areas were going hungry. The food at PM’s dinner table would not have helped the hapless poor, but it’s important as a matter of gesture.
The leaders of consequence display personal examples in crisis that enable them to connect to the masses and motivate the latter to follow conservation policies with conviction. If our leaders continue with business as usual and with characteristic pomp and show, then they should not expect that the public would listen to their appeals of conservation and sacrifice. Amid an acute economic downturn, one is amazed at the audacity of our leaders turning up with branded dresses and accessories with customary arrogance and indifference to the misery of the poor. That’s how our elite acts. There has been incessant complaining about the flight of US Dollars from the country, particularly to Afghanistan. Most ironic is that such grousing comes from the top-ranking government functionaries themselves. What the hell? Those who have to stop this flight of capital are themselves complaining.
It belies common sense. Either they are inefficient or accomplices. Just get going and mobilize the entire might of the state apparatus to put an end to this alleged malpractice that is adding to our economic miseries. It may require a ‘rocket’, but certainly not rocket science. Transparency in undertakings of the governments, both at the federal and provincial levels, attains increased significance for Pakistan as the resources get shrunk with a dire need to be mindful of each, and every Rupee spent. On the contrary, we still don’t see the required degree of transparency. This is simply mindboggling. Globetrotting of government functionaries with stays in luxury hotels on state expenditure, import of luxury goods and cars, cherry picking in the issuance of Letters of Credit for import, and so many other controversies raise a big question mark on both sincerity and competence. All these happenings create a sense of despondency amongst the masses.
To create the right perception and motivation in the public, it is pretty logical that enhanced transparency must be enforced. While focusing on the few essential measures, I have dared to venture into the domain of economists. To me, all this is simply commonsensical and quite doable if one has the will and sincerity to do it. We need to act, and act fast less we get into an irretrievable spin, a situation not entirely unpredictable.
The views represented in this post are solely the author’s own and do not represent the policies of the publisher.
By Lt Gen Muhammad Haroon Aslam (Retd)
While the economic gurus remain busy with regular diagnostic commentaries on the economic turmoil in the country, the Government continues to harp on the tune of “all is well”. Amid the ever-increasing price hike, shrinking of businesses and closure of the industry, the finance minister remains pugnaciously adamant that the ship is on course and not taking in water. It seems that the situation is not entirely under control as the Prime Minister is feverishly running from pillar to post to borrow US Dollars from wherever he can. The dollar crunch has put trade, commercial and industrial activities in a nosedive. What’s the remedy? Keeping economists’ abracadabra aside is a matter of common sense. It appears that our decision-makers cannot call to mind the inevitability of common sense. No wonder Voltaire said, “Common sense is not so common.” What is a commonsensical solution to our economic woes? Let us first identify the problems.
Our main issue is of US Dollar liquidity crunch. To put it plainly, we don’t have sufficient US dollars with us to take care of our import bill. Our inflow of dollars is lesser than the outflow. We have to essentially fix this problem first, and the other issues, to quite an extent, would fall in place. We must exercise strict control over activities that directly or indirectly consume foreign exchange. It cannot be business as usual, which seems to be the case with all of us. The country is sinking into the pitfall of economic regression with the resultant impact on all dimensions of national security. Our main chunk of imports is oil and gas. The solution lies in outright conservation. The import of these two commodities must be reduced. Can we? Yes, if we have the will to do so, but one doesn’t find that will either in the public or the bigwigs in the governments. What’s to be done? Free petrol for public servants???? Stop it other than essentially needed for official duties. Rationing of electricity is imperative. Discontinue wasteful use of streetlights, illumination, and proliferation of neon signs.
If it can be done in most EU countries, why not here. One is appalled to see the most shameless display of opulence by the public representatives and government functionaries, whether it is jet set style travelling in planes or moving around in large cavalcades with the customary display of power and authority. Strict rationing, control and punitive actions are essential. Fix a petrol quota for all government vehicles. Let the public learn to live with meaningful rationing. Let’s do it voluntarily, otherwise, we will be forced to do it out of compulsion. There is ongoing rationing of edible oil in Germany. If they can do it, why can’t we? Do you recall the remarks of Angelina Jolie after having a sumptuous lunch with PM Gillani’s family during the floods of 2010? She had bitterly criticized when she was served rich culinary delights while the poor children in flood-affected areas were going hungry. The food at PM’s dinner table would not have helped the hapless poor, but it’s important as a matter of gesture.
The leaders of consequence display personal examples in crisis that enable them to connect to the masses and motivate the latter to follow conservation policies with conviction. If our leaders continue with business as usual and with characteristic pomp and show, then they should not expect that the public would listen to their appeals of conservation and sacrifice. Amid an acute economic downturn, one is amazed at the audacity of our leaders turning up with branded dresses and accessories with customary arrogance and indifference to the misery of the poor. That’s how our elite acts. There has been incessant complaining about the flight of US Dollars from the country, particularly to Afghanistan. Most ironic is that such grousing comes from the top-ranking government functionaries themselves. What the hell? Those who have to stop this flight of capital are themselves complaining.
It belies common sense. Either they are inefficient or accomplices. Just get going and mobilize the entire might of the state apparatus to put an end to this alleged malpractice that is adding to our economic miseries. It may require a ‘rocket’, but certainly not rocket science. Transparency in undertakings of the governments, both at the federal and provincial levels, attains increased significance for Pakistan as the resources get shrunk with a dire need to be mindful of each, and every Rupee spent. On the contrary, we still don’t see the required degree of transparency. This is simply mindboggling. Globetrotting of government functionaries with stays in luxury hotels on state expenditure, import of luxury goods and cars, cherry picking in the issuance of Letters of Credit for import, and so many other controversies raise a big question mark on both sincerity and competence. All these happenings create a sense of despondency amongst the masses.
To create the right perception and motivation in the public, it is pretty logical that enhanced transparency must be enforced. While focusing on the few essential measures, I have dared to venture into the domain of economists. To me, all this is simply commonsensical and quite doable if one has the will and sincerity to do it. We need to act, and act fast less we get into an irretrievable spin, a situation not entirely unpredictable.
The views represented in this post are solely the author’s own and do not represent the policies of the publisher.
