Pakistan government in the midst of expectations and fears

The people are eagerly waiting for the Imran Khan government to take revolutionary steps to solve their problems.

The tumultuous year of 2019 has passed and the sun of next year has risen for new aspirations and hopes. The winds of change that have blown over the past few years can uproot many of the rotten trees of the new year. Last year, many countries of the world were also affected by political, economic, and social changes. 

Today, whether a country is developed or developing, the biggest political issue there is how to establish good governance in the country. The reason is that due to the mismanagement of the government, a country gets into serious problems. This mismanagement gives politicians, bureaucrats, and other influential and powerful sections of the society an opportunity for corruption. They evade the law, break the rules, and make themselves richer. They live a life of comfort and ease while the people do not even get basic amenities.

Remember, in the time of the Rightly Guided Caliphs, even an ordinary Muslim could get up and question the Caliph from time to time. This strict system of accountability is characteristic of our religion. In modern times, but not until recently, the rulers of most Islamic countries became dictators. They did whatever they wanted. In the end, the self-immolation of a poor man in Tunisia caused a strong wind of accountability and change.

The Arab Spring rolled up the sleeves of some rulers who have been ruling for decades. Many rulers quickly introduced pro-people measures to keep their governments safe. Although the Arab Spring movement did not produce the desired results, it did manage to bring a new weapon of accountability in the hands of the people, social media. Social media has become a platform where even the common man can openly question the rulers and hold them accountable. Thanks to this, it is no longer possible for any politician, government official, minister or adviser to hide his evils and shortcomings. Its corruption is also exposed to social and digital media. This is the positive side of this new media.

The air of accountability is not limited to the Islamic world. People in the United States, Germany, Britain, Australia, France, Italy, and even the Second Ninth have staged protests, urging their governments to improve governance and improve their ranks. Get rid of corrupt elements. Then, in 2016, a group of journalists blew up the Panama Papers. From this scandal, people all over the world came to know that the ruling class hides the wealth gained from corruption in foreign bank accounts by setting up fake companies.

The Icelandic Prime Minister had to resign following the Panama Papers. The trial of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has begun. In other developed and developing countries, the careers of many corrupt ministers, advisers, politicians, and government officials belonging to the ruling class came to an end forever. The Panama Papers strengthened the winds of accountability, and ordinary people around the world began to speak out for good governance and the rule of law.

In South Korea, the accountability process took the form of a storm. In 2018, Korean courts sentenced two former presidents, Park Geun-Hye and Lee Myung-bak, to several years in prison after allegations of corruption were substantiated. The people of South Korea appreciated these decisions and decided that this would strengthen the rule of law in the country.

 On December 20, news came from Argentina that allegations of corruption against the former female president, Cristinacar Channer, had been substantiated. Therefore, she will be tried in the Supreme Court. Due to mismanagement and corruption of the rulers, Argentina is suffering from a terrible debt burden. Similarly, Greece, Ireland, Malta, and other European countries are also trapped in a debt trap.

The world's largest economic and military power, the United States, has been ruled by a dictator like Donald Trump for the past three years. The reason is that members of the ruling Republican Party were in the majority in both houses of the US Congress. But in the recent mid-term elections, the tide turned. The Democratic Party won a majority in the National Assembly (House of Representatives). Thus ended Trump's dictatorship. He can no longer act as he pleases. The effect of this change soon became apparent when the US government was "shut down" over the border wall dispute. Work stalled in several government departments due to a lack of funds.

Another major power in Britain, the ruling party and the opposition are embroiled in controversy. Many British intellectuals and politicians want a referendum on Bridget. He claims that by saying goodbye to the European Union, Britain will run into economic problems. France, a major European power, has also been the target of riots over the past few months. When the French government increased the price of fuel, the people did not accept it and started protesting on the streets without any leadership.

 The Yellow Jackets movement became effective and different sections of society joined it. Ten people were killed when protesters clashed with police, and the movement was stained with human blood. Protesters are still on the streets demanding the resignation of President Mike Ron. In other countries, such as Romania, Italy, Sudan, Israel, and Lebanon, troubled people are now protesting against their governments to bring good governance.

In the dear homeland also, the year of 2018 was very turbulent. The accountability process that began two or three years ago has accelerated. Former presidents, prime ministers, ministers, advisers, and government officials from the ruling class are facing corruption charges. Businessmen with close ties to the rulers were also held accountable.

On December 24, the Supreme Court banned the sale and purchase of properties of Zardari Group, Bahria Town, and Omni Group. A case of fake bank accounts is pending in the Supreme Court. The court had formed an investigation team, Yaj IT, to investigate the matter. All three parties listed in the team's report were found to be involved in the crime. The report revealed that former President Asif Ali Zardari also received personal expenses from fake bank accounts with the same amount to cover the expenses of his palace-like residences in Karachi and Lahore.

The probe team also revealed that the Zardari group has so far taken loans of Rs 53.4 billion from banks. Out of this, a loan of Rs. 24 billion was taken from Sindh Bank. However, the bank was legally authorized to lend only Rs 4 billion. The report also revealed that Bahria Town illegally built the Icon Tower in Karachi on government land. Also, some land of Bagh Ibn Qasim was seized. The Supreme Court has summoned Asif Ali Zardari and Chairman Bahria Town, Malik Riaz for the next hearing on December 31. An important decision may come at this point. The accused may be sentenced.

On the afternoon of December 24, the accountability court in Islamabad sentenced former prime minister Nawaz Sharif to seven years in prison in the Azizia Steel Mills corruption case and ordered the confiscation of his property. The court also imposed heavy fines on him. Nawaz Sharif could not prove in court where the money for the steel mills he set up in Saudi Arabia came from. So it became a case of having more wealth and property than sources of income. However, the accountability court acquitted Nawaz Sharif in the flagship investment case.

It should be noted that on July 28,2017 the Supreme Court had disqualified Nawaz Sharif from the post of Prime Minister. At the same time, the NAB was ordered to file three cases against the Nawaz Sharif family in connection with Aiwan-e-Field Flats, Azizia, and Flagship Investment. On July 6,2018 the accountability court had sentenced Nawaz Sharif, Maryam Safdar, and Capt (retd) Safdar to ten, seven , and one years respectively in the Aiwan-e-Field property case. However, on September 9, the Islamabad High Court suspended the sentences and accepted the bail of the three. The case is now pending in the Supreme Court.

Former President Asif Ali Zardari and former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, both political leaders, claim they are innocent and will defend themselves legally in the courts. However, his party did worse than expected from opinion polls, which saw them at gaining about a third of the support. 

Political experts and intellectuals are divided on the question of whether these public demonstrations will be successful or not. Some experts say the PPP could bring a significant number of people to the streets in Sindh. Some quarters claim that the two parties are not as popular as they used to be, so effective public protests over the arrest of former rulers are unlikely. However, if large numbers of people take to the streets, political turmoil will exacerbate the situation in the country. Experts say former Sindh chief ministers Qaim Ali Shah and Murad Ali Shah could also be implicated in the fake bank accounts case.

The JIT report also revealed the bitter truth that our banks have been instrumental in laundering black money and the SBP has not tried to stop them. It is as if all anti-social elements whitewash their illicit wealth through the illegal banking system. The question is, can Pakistan get rid of economic problems with a corrupt financial system used to hide and launder money?

It is necessary to introduce reforms in the banking system of Pakistan so that it can be brought under the purview of the law. Also, severe punishments should be given to those bank officers who are involved in money laundering. Without reforming the banking system, the reform of the tax system will also fail. The JIT report revealed that the Summit Bank was opened only so that the corrupt gang could easily launder the money of corruption and use it. 

The threat of being included in the FATF's gray list and being blacklisted also sends the same message that Pakistan's banking system has become a "frontman" for corrupt people. It is imperative that this system be brought under the rule of law. This will go a long way in curbing corruption and money laundering.

The performance of the PTI government over the last four months has been mixed. He did some good deeds and some mistakes were made by the government. The biggest allegation against this new government seems to be that Prime Minister Imran Khan and his team did not do their homework to deal with the problems facing the country. That is why economic problems, in particular, have become more serious than ever. The rising dollar has pushed up inflation. In addition, the government increased the rates of many taxes and duties. This process further increased inflation. Some people started cursing the government openly in suppressed words.

But the people are also seeing that the judiciary and the new government are chasing powerful corrupt people. The Supreme Court wants to uphold the rule of law in the country through accountability. While government agencies are after tax evaders. New laws are being drafted to arrest them. The judiciary and the government also have the support of the military. These three forces want to eradicate corruption from the country and bring good governance so that Pakistan can move on the path of development and prosperity.

It is clear from the cries of corrupt people that NAB and FIA are freely investigating powerful and influential people. The move by the PTI government is positive that its minister, who was accused of any kind, was forced to resign. The new government also caused a stir in the journalism sector. The government, like previous governments, has relentlessly refused to place government advertisements in newspapers and private TV channels. Obviously, it is not the responsibility of the government to support the dummy newspapers and channels by providing advertisements. Newspapers cut pages due to a lack of advertisements. On the same occasion, the staff was reduced and many people lost their jobs.

According to informed sources, the government is preparing to bring in a mini-budget in January. The goal is to increase government revenue by raising tax rates. However, regulatory duties on raw imports are expected to be reduced to boost exports of domestically manufactured products. However, this mini-budget could bring a new wave of inflation in the country. But the PTI government's claim that the rulers of the past are responsible for inflation also carries weight. Due to their mismanagement and corruption, the country went into economic trouble. So it will take time for the economy to get stronger. 

The stench of forty years cannot be removed in a few months. In addition, the economies of powerful countries around the world are suffering. This situation is also having a negative impact on the Pakistani economy. When powerful countries face various political, economic, and social crises, they first and foremost affect the international economy, trade, and industry. Share prices fall in the stock markets. Trade activity slows and the global economic downturn begins. That is why famous economists are warning that the world is in a state of economic decline.

This is not good news for Pakistan, which is already mired in various economic problems. When the Imran Khan government came to power, the public exchequer was not only empty but the state was languishing under internal and external debts of Rs 29000 trillion. The government had very little foreign exchange reserves. It was feared that the Pakistani government would not have the required dollars to buy petrol and other goods from abroad.

The last global economic crisis came ten years ago. Many banks, financial institutions, multinational corporations, and companies went bankrupt. Various governments provided financial support to save their large banks and institutions from bankruptcy. While developing countries borrowed from the IMF and the World Bank to provide oxygen to the dead bodies of their economies. Pakistan was one of them.

Today the economic situation of the beloved homeland is worse than ten years ago. As if, God willing, the global economic downturn has begun, then Pakistan will go home to more problems. The economic crisis affects the poorest people the most. Rising inflation further reduces their purchasing power and sometimes they do not even get the basic necessities of life.

In the pitch dark, but also a ray of hope. One reason for this is geopolitics and the other is the impression that the Imran Khan government is not as corrupt as the governments of the past. That is why, when the Prime Minister of Pakistan visited Saudi Arabia, China, the United Arab Emirates and Malaysia one after another, he received an encouraging response. Meanwhile, the Army Chief also visited friendly countries to not only renew friendly relations but also to strengthen them. This extraordinary political and military diplomacy has yielded significant results.

Falling oil prices have left Saudi Arabia's budget in deficit. It recently raised 32 billion by selling government bonds on the world market. The goal is to cover the fiscal deficit. Despite the crisis, the Saudi government made a promising announcement that it would provide a  6 billion package to Pakistan.

US President Trump has been raising tariffs on goods imported from China. The Chinese government also raised taxes on American goods, sparking a fierce trade war between the world's two largest economies. Because of this, the Chinese economy is also under severe pressure. China, however, did not disappoint the Pakistani prime minister. He was given the good news that China would invest five to six billion dollars in Pakistan. 

The UAE economy is also not in good shape due to the global economic crisis. Inflation and unemployment are on the rise in the country. The UAE government also announced that despite difficult circumstances, it would provide  3 billion to Pakistan.

China, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are all in financial trouble. But he decided to help his longtime friend, Pakistan, for two reasons. First, geopolitics has given the land of Pakistan an important place. It has become a major player in the open and secret hybrid war of the major world powers. Secondly, the impression that the new Pakistani government is different became popular abroad. She will honestly spend the dollars she gets from loans and grants. This money will not be a victim of corruption but it will be used for the welfare of the people.

In the early months of its rule, the government has taken some concrete steps to restore the state writ and enforce the rule of law. For example, a campaign was launched against illegal encroachments. Powerful but corrupt figures began to be caught. Effective action was taken against the militants. It was announced that visas will be issued to the citizens of 55 countries on arrival in Pakistan. The Kartarpur border was opened for the Sikhs. Concrete steps were taken to curb money laundering. Efforts to correct the qibla of the bureaucracy began.

Meanwhile, the fall in global oil prices is also benefiting the country. Pakistan imports  14 billion worth of oil. Oil prices have fallen by 40%. This means that importing this product will now save the Pakistani government  5.5 billion. We got this great support in the current economic situation. This will reduce our fiscal deficit in international trade and balance payments.

By the beginning of the new year, our foreign exchange reserves will reach  12 billion. It seems that Pakistan's economy will be stabilized by the global definition that it will be able to bear the cost of exports for three months. In this situation, economists are advising the Pakistani government not to turn to the IMF. Pakistan can also borrow from other financial institutions such as the Asian Development Bank, the World Bank, etc.

In fact, the IMF, the US government's financial institution, has set strict conditions for lending. First, he wants Pakistan to provide details of the C-Pack project. Secondly, it is a condition that current expenses should also be reduced. It is as if the expenditure on public welfare schemes and national defense should also be reduced. No country would be willing to accept such strict conditions.

It is important for the PTI government to continue its program of economic reforms. In this way, all sectors of the national economy will improve. This change will also have a positive impact on the Pakistani stock market. Stock markets around the world are declining. In the month of December, the turnover in many popular markets dropped by twenty to twenty-five percent. However, most Pakistani experts say that the Pakistani stock market has been declining over the past two years. Now the national economy is on the rise, so in the coming months, the Pakistani stock market will rise and perform well. This is a hopeful sign.

Exports are also expected to increase with government measures. This will also boost the morale of those in Pakistan's business and industrial sectors. Recently, British Airways, Expo Mobile, and other foreign companies have announced to re-enter the Pakistani market. Mobile companies have also announced that they will invest billions of dollars in Pakistan in the coming years. These announcements make it clear that business and industrial activities in the country may increase this year compared to the previous two years.

One of Pakistan's long-standing problem is the lack of good governance. Lack of a better system has led to two major problems: corruption and the lack of rule of law. Prime Minister Imran Khan has reiterated many times that he also wants help from the Chinese model for good governance and poverty alleviation in the state.

Interestingly and surprisingly, when Deng Xiaoping became China's president or supreme leader in 1978, China was also suffering from serious political, economic and social problems. The country was mired in poverty and the rule of law was weak. It is as if the system of government introduced by Mao Zedong when he came to power in 1949 did not yield the desired results despite some successes. 

It was now necessary to bring about a fundamental change in the existing system of government so that it could become a means of development and prosperity for the country and the nation.

Ding Xiaoping was short, short, and unattractive. But during his 11-year rule, he succeeded in bringing about a change in the system of government that put China on the path to development and prosperity. Today it is one of the most economically and militarily powerful countries in the world.

After assuming power in China, the new president launched a comprehensive reform program to change the system of government. 

The same program transformed China and people and properties got rid of poverty and ignorance and began to benefit from the blessings of prosperity and knowledge. The Supreme Leader's reform program was successful for two reasons.

The first is that there was a one-party system of government in China. The President (Supreme Leader) was the CEO of the state. The orders he issued would be carried out. The peculiarity of this style of government is that the entire attention of the government is focused on work. While the general observation is that in a country with a multi-party system of government, there is tension between the ruling party and the opposition. Most of the energy of the rulers is spent on saving their government and they can do little concrete work. 

This phenomenon is common in developing countries. Due to the one-party system of governance, the new policies formulated by the Deng Xiaoping government were implemented. Newly arrived presidents have more or less pursued the same policies. Thus the consistency of the Chinese rulers brought color and China began to evolve into a developed country.

Second, as soon as Deng Xiaoping took over the government, he gathered around him seven experienced, intelligent, and sincere advisers from the country and the nation. Today in China, these advisers, including Xiaoping, are called the "Eight Great Eminent Elders." In Chinese society, he is held in high esteem because he changed the destiny of China with his thoughts and actions. Among these eight elders were four politicians and three army generals!

The group of eight began daily consultations to bring about change in their country's politics, economy, and society. Chinese historians write that these meetings were held at the house of Deng Xiaoping. A proposal approved by consultation would take the form of a government policy. These policies became the prelude to a political, economic, and social revolution in the country. Surprisingly and interestingly, it took only 22 years, not decades, to bring about revolutionary change. By the year 2000, the sun of China's great development had risen.

Imran Khan has also taken power in his beloved homeland with the slogan of changing the system of government. They want to turn Pakistan into an Islamic welfare state. The question is, can they bring about meaningful changes in politics, economy, and society under the current system of government? This question is being debated among experts in the higher political, military, and intellectual circles.

Some experts are of the opinion that only if the presidential style of government is adopted in Pakistan will Imran Khan be able to start a comprehensive program of reforms with the help of experienced advisers. But a major objection to presidential rule is that it could take the form of a dictatorship. For example, it is said that freedom of the media in China is restricted due to restrictions, just as the Chinese government's crackdown on Uighur Muslims to enforce government policy is not worthy of imitation. Then there is the issue of how the presidential style of government will be implemented in Pakistan. Will there be a referendum like in Turkey or will the parliament approve it? Is it possible to adopt this model within the basic structure of the constitution?

But time is needed for Pakistan to get rid of its stereotyped system of government. The prevailing style of government is dominated by a handful of powerful classes and is reaping all the benefits. While the people have been in need of bread for a while. Like the Chinese ruling class of 40 years ago, our political and military leaders must now come together to create a system of government that will transform Pakistan into a real welfare state. Only after the nuclear transformation in the present system will a new Pakistan come into being where the rule of law prevails, the common man gets justice easily and the government institutions remain active for the welfare of the people.

In order to establish good governance, qualified and talented people should be appointed to key positions in all institutions, regardless of their political affiliation, and they should be given full freedom of action and legal protection.

In a country where governance is effective, no citizen has the courage to break the law because he knows that if he is caught, he will face heavy fines and penalties. Fear of punishment also helps strengthen the rule of law.

Last year, a great change took place in occupied Kashmir as well. The Kashmiri people have now taken over the independence movement. Today Mujahids are being born in every house in Kashmir Valley. As soon as they get military training, they fight Indian forces with their lives in their hands and get martyred. Now many parents, armed with weapons, send their sons to the battlefield with laughter and joy. When a son is martyred for the sake of the motherland, they celebrate with pride and glory.

Under such circumstances, India's leading intellectuals and thinkers are claiming that the situation in occupied Kashmir is out of the control of the Indian government. The Modi government has put an end to the oppression of the Kashmiri people in particular. On the orders of the Modi government, Indian security forces have now started firing directly at the protesters. As a result, hundreds of Kashmiri people were martyred in recent December. It is a pity that no Western government that has become a champion of human rights has been able to verbally criticize the Modi government for committing horrific atrocities.

 It is a far cry to take practical steps against India. The independence movement in occupied Kashmir is now in the hands of the people. They will die only after liberating their state from Indian occupation. Indian rulers should read the graffiti.

Since 2017, the Modi government has been trying desperately to bankrupt Pakistan economically. In this regard, he also had the support of the US government. Therefore, both the powers have been trying to get various international regulatory bodies to impose such sanctions on Pakistan which would make it difficult to do business. The hostile campaign of both the forces also caused economic damage to Pakistan.

Fortunately for Pakistan, the alliance between India and the United States broke down a few months ago. Russian President Putin then sent India the latest Russian missile, the S 400. Announced to sell. The proximity of India and Russia did not suit the American generals at all and the United States became very distant from its new Asian ally. Even President Trump flatly refused to be the special guest on India's Republic Day.

Meanwhile, for an honorable return from Afghanistan, the US military again had to seek help from Pakistan. The United States has fought the longest war in its history in Afghanistan. Despite pouring billions of dollars into the war, coalition forces have not been able to defeat the Taliban. Now the United States wants to get rid of the huge war costs of foreign wars due to public pressure and economic crisis. That's why President Trump announced the withdrawal of troops from Syria and Afghanistan.

The alliance of India, the United States and other allies has left Pakistan somewhat politically and economically isolated globally over the past two years. One of the major benefits of the Prime Minister's and Army Chief's foreign visits was that Pakistan's isolation was significantly reduced and its international prestige was significantly restored. In January, young crown princes from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates promised to visit Pakistan.