In the Name of Good Governance

The nonstop hyperinflation trend in Pakistan is now culminating in a full-blown crisis affecting both the middle and lower-middle-income groups equally, let alone those living below the poverty line. Thanks to the International Monetary Fund, the special credit must go to the current dispensation led by His Excellency Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The plight of the people has now turned from bad to worse, with no sign of any recovery or improvement in the country’s socio-economic indicators in the current decade. Making matters worse, this is all happening in the name of good governance. What would bad governance be all about if this is a sign of good governance?

Banning the PTI?

There could not be a more ridiculous yet desperate move than banning the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). Those who believe the proscription of a particular party would lead to much-needed political stability in Pakistan must revisit their fancied ideas, which have nothing to do with ground realities. The country has already been grappling with political chaos, together with almost collapsed economics. To cap it all off, banning the most popular political party can only exacerbate the ongoing disaster and nothing more. Gone are the days when such coercive measures were the norm. Since the times have changed, it is incumbent upon the current edifice to throw off its authoritarian yoke and show some maturity in its decision-making.

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

Hamza Khan, the last-edition champion of the WSF World Junior Squash Championships, saw his title defense come to an abrupt end in the quarter-finals of the premier squash tournament when he was defeated by Joo Young Na of South Korea. It bears to be mentioned that Hamza Khan ended Pakistan’s 37-year-long wait for the world championship title last year. However, despite his early exit in the current edition, Khan’s phenomenal rise paints a promising picture for the future of Pakistan squash. Well played, Hamza Khan!

Grapevine