People are never happy

Criticism on everything seems to be the favorite time pass; not just coming from opposition benches, but intellectuals of the country are not much behind in making the mark. In early days of PTI government, experts were critical on Asad and rest for not possessing experience of government or the one to deal with multilateral agencies. There were questions as to how someone from private sector or from political class can handle complex economics and energy issues.

The other bashing was on the economic advisory council, and other experienced economists hovering around PM and FM. Those were labeled as 'old men club'. The critics argued that the aged lot does not have fresh ideas, they lack energies, they are stubborn, and are not ready to think out of the box. Another, point against them was that the folks have theoretical background and since they have never done any business in Pakistan or have never dealt with FBR and other institutions, how can they give solutions while being oblivion to the ground realities.

Later, an economic advisory board was formed where all the practitioners within the country and from outside in banking, taxation, regulation, and energy joined the club. Then the talks shifted to the conflict of interests brewing from their own businesses or clients' business interests. The core support of the PTI started moving away as they thought the champions of status quo are at the helm.

The criticism on Asad and team was that they were inexperienced and not doers, but when the 'doers' are taken in the inner circle, they have conflict of interest. In a country like Pakistan, the challenges are big and out of box solutions are warranted, but out of box thinking is not welcomed. It's ironic.

The arguments against appointments of FBR chairman and SBP governor are not dissimilar in nature. The bureaucrats are always being criticized in Pakistan and are blamed for poor performance in successive governments and the buck stops at them for institutional derailment - within it, the PAS officers elite are being seen with pinch of salt from other civil servant groups.

The outgoing SBP Governor came from PAS background and he was never fully accepted in terms of capability by economists and IFIs circles. Now he is replaced by a relatively young economist having hands on experience in dealing with IFIs. Asad and Bajwa were not fit as they were deemed not best to deal with the IMF and rest. The old economists group did not have young and energetic people.

Now we have one man fitting all these criterion, but he is being bashed for coming straight from the IMF. It is a fact that most better performing SBP heads in the past two decades came straight from these IFIs, such as Yauqub (1993-99) from IMF, Ishrat (1999-2005) from WB, and Shamshad (2005-08) from ADB.

Then there are a few raising questions on Reza not being a son of the soil. He is being criticized on the fact that people do not know him and he is not tested. But how can you bring in young and fresh people, without them not being a household name.

Last but not the least is the not-confirmed appointment of Shabar Zaidi who is arguably one of the best tax men in the country. The bureaucracy is resisting change. His appointment may or may not materialize. But one thing is for sure, the next in line, irrespective of background will face stiff criticism from one group or the other.