Together We Rise
This is with reference to the Cover Story that appeared in the March 2024 edition of SouthAsia. It is gratifying that today’s situation seems to have changed positively compared to the past. The current military leadership recognizes the supremacy of the Parliament and the Constitution as the only way to national development. At the same time, our judicial leadership also recognizes the wrongness of the judicial decisions given in favor of unconstitutional measures in the past. Similarly, the possibilities for all state institutions to perform their duties within the prescribed constitutional limits have become bright. National development and progress are not possible without smooth coordination among state institutions. Unfortunately, this could not happen in most periods of our history.
Ansar Ali,
Gujranwala, Pakistan.
Incisive Analysis
The article “Waiting for the Messiah’’ by Mohammad Arslan Qadeer, which appeared in SouthAsia in its March 2024 edition, is a poignant exploration of Pakistan’s quest for visionary leadership amidst political, social, and economic challenges. The writer adeptly captures the essence of Pakistan’s historical struggle to find a transformative figure akin to Mao Zedong or Quaid-e-Azam while delving into the contemporary factors hindering the emergence of such leadership. One of the article’s notable strengths is its incisive analysis of the multifaceted barriers obstructing the rise of visionary leaders in Pakistan. The writer navigates through complex issues such as political instability, ethnic and sectarian divides, external influences, institutional weaknesses, and pervasive corruption with clarity and depth. The author provides a comprehensive understanding of Pakistan’s leadership challenges by dissecting each factor and elucidating its impact on the leadership landscape. Furthermore, the writer’s proposal for eradicating corruption as a pivotal step towards fostering genuine leadership is insightful and pragmatic. The article’s relevance in modern society cannot be overstated.
Ameerah Ghaznavi,
Los Angeles, United States.
Significance of Foreign Relations
In three and a half years, one of the main reasons for the sudden rise in Pakistan’s economic predicaments was the coldness in Pakistan’s relations with many foreign countries, notably Saudi Arabia, China, and the United States. However, the current government, led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, has started efforts to move in the right direction as soon as it assumes power. In addition to the Chinese leadership’s assurance of full cooperation to end the economic difficulties and the active start of the second phase of CPEC, the process of improving relations with the United States and restoring collaboration in various fields has also begun, as well as Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. On the front of foreign relations, including Qatar, Bahrain, Turkey, and Iran, clear and promising progress is seen in the first few days of the government. Keep up the excellent work!
Iraj Siddiqui,
Lahore, Pakistan
Dirty Politics
Country comes first before anything else. Inviting global financial institutions to interfere in local politics is not the right approach and should be discouraged anyway. Earlier, the leadership of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) had written a letter to the IMF asking it not to hold talks with Pakistan’s newly-elected government until the alleged fraud and massive rigging in General Elections 2024 was investigated, creating a crisis and creating more threats to the national economy. However, this was not accepted by the international lender. American Ambassador Donald Bloom has also assured Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of the IMF’s support to Pakistan. It alludes to the fact that the good news regarding the economic recovery has started coming. Negotiations are ongoing with the IMF for a short-term loan program, and another package of several billion dollars is being negotiated. However, recent protests by PTI activists in America outside the offices of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank must be condemned, as this behavior for momentary political interests is very sad and an ill-intentioned attempt to harm national interests.
Dr. Murtaza Ahmed,
Larkana, Pakistan.
Soaring Inflation Rates
Despite the government’s assurances and claims of action, the illegal profit-seeking mafia is active on a full scale, which is a big question of the ability and actions of the administration. Mobilizing the administrative machinery to remedy this artificial inflation immediately is necessary. The month of Holy Ramadan has started in such a way that a storm of inflation has come, and the high street sellers and hoarders have compounded the problems. Due to the lack of administrative checks and balances, the government price list has been manipulated by the profiteers, and the prices of food and drink have been arbitrarily increased. It is not difficult to understand that this increase is unrelated to market fluctuations, but behind it is the mafia that does not miss any opportunity to exploit the people.
Jamshed Ahmed,
Karachi, Pakistan.
Mafia Raj
It is a painful fact that many people in parliament support the mafias, thwarting any attempt to control the skyrocketing inflation. In this regard, federal and provincial governments should act against all mafias without any concessions to restore the public’s confidence in the system. This is because the government cannot be solid and stable if the people do not trust the state. Currently, all the major parties in the country are getting a chance to rule the country in one way or another, so they should do everything to improve their image in the eyes of the people. On the one hand, this will restore the people’s trust in the state and democracy; on the other hand, these political parties will also benefit. Instead of giving billions of subsidies, a system should be devised through which most of the country’s population does not suffer artificial inflation and illegal profiteering. A mechanism should be created to monitor the entire system and eliminate the role of the middlemen to avoid undue profiteering by mafia-like traders and hoarders.
Tehmina Idrees,
Rawalpindi, Pakistan.
Another IMF Programme
Pakistan must improve its economy through self-reliance instead of relying on the IMF. History is a witness to the fact that the economies of countries that implemented the IMF programs were destroyed. The tragedy is that Pakistan and the nation are currently mired in debt. The newly elected government of Shehbaz Sharif is very hopeful for Pakistan’s new deal with the IMF. What will happen to the people of Pakistan with another agreement with the IMF being considered with strict conditions? Will they get any relief, or will their problems increase? It will be assessed in the next one or two months.
Janib Soomro,
Karachi, Pakistan.