Elephant(s) In The Room

By: Badaruddin Kalhoro,  Bureau Chief Lahore International London

NSP(national security policy) appears more like a threat than chance of prosperity. The federal government formulated so called comprehensive National Security Policy for the first time ever in the history of Pakistan. This, sixty-pages, document is the strategy of federal government to overcome economic challenges. However, it appears another elephant in room to many civilians as well as bureaucrats. Because “The Kashmir” is the first one and already in search of door. The economic fallout of Taliban led Afghanistan can be the third elephant in the room.  However, PM Khan has prioritized economy over external territorial threats of the geographical complex country. Although, the economy

of Pakistan is in collapsing stage and Pakistan has topped the list of ten countries with highest external debts, yet government believes NSP will help them withstand economic challenges be it rocketing prices of essential food items, be it fuel prices, etc.  Lately,  As said by Moeed Yousuf (an advisor to prime minister on National Security), NSP was not only formulated after consensus between civil and military but also opposition party- that administers on provincial level. While it is the open secret that no provincial government official was taken into account in such huge and baffling decision. For which, opposition critisized federal government and, regrettably, it fell on deaf ears. Based on recent history, it seems another “tall claim” by PM Khan after observing the progress of schemes like Naya Pakistan Housing Scheme, reducing poverty(that has reached 40%), ending corruption, etc. Moreover, the dissent among common masses has increased manifolds. Evidently, It is mentioned in many sections that the government will curtail inflation and revive the economy. However, how these task will be achieved? it is not cited in the documents. This places a big question mark for provincial government as well as people to understand the debatable strategy of federal government. Furthermore, to drag the agendas of NSP two steps away from lay man, the government formulated it in English language. while the National language is Urdu.  Arguably, all the tall claims will bring some change. perhaps the change can also be adverse one. NSP will not serve its purpose if it remains the current government which has been futile all three consecutive years. The regime has deceived the people of Pakistan more than any previous stakeholder. Therefore, the tall claims are only claims until any genuine reform is made. The frugal innovation of PM Khan will not work to revive the economy of the world’s fifth largest populated country. It will get further difficult with the passage of time because now there is more than one elephant in room.