Economic consequences of fear

The time will come when we will forget the fear caused by the Karachi carnage. We had inside of one year already forgotten the Peshawar School attack. We are not the only nation that has had this kind of amnesia. Others have it too. Our political leaders are constantly harping on the fact that we are on the move economically and that is the reason for this attack. That our potential is unlimited and we only have to work to that potential. That connection is tenuous at best. The fact remains that the political system seems to have developed the skills to state a true fact and then hide a lot of lies behind it. The information that is sent out is different and skilfully passed on to the public. Take for consideration the economic corridor that is to be built by China. The true facts have not been indicated. The cost to future generation[s] will be horrendous based on the rumours floated by economists and anchorpersons. Suffice it to say that the facts seem to be different. In the absence of right to information all that we will get are rumours. Take the jungla bus the true facts as to costs have not been revealed. How these costs have been worked out is again a moot point. The government is in any case unable to count and reveal the true costs to the citizens of the towns where this jungla bus is to operate. I know that the cost to me has been excessively burdensome in terms of repair and maintenance of transport(s). All kinds of rubbish have been strewn around causing environmental pollution and we have the CM's infantile habit of taking a ride and pronouncing satisfaction or shouting as if the people operating are his servants.
We now have the green train. I hope they realise what a green train really means. Given our levels of inefficiency we will soon turn it into a garbage train. The turnaround will only come through if the people are sure of the policies where the average citizen will get his due. That does not seem to happen nor are there any indications that steps are being taken to correct these matters. The prosperity of the country is limited to a few people and to some of the MNCs. There can be no turnaround if these MNCs are around. They have their representatives in all political parties. They are suave and they know how to play their cards. Their bread is buttered on both sides. These reps are really touts of these MNCs.
Since there is an unholy alliance between the elites of the country and the MNCs it is not so easy to handle these mafias. Any one seen to be in their way is ruthlessly attacked in the media and at the political arena. What does it take to get a decision on one's own terms? A few perks, a few trips and a few provisions of luxury. That is all.
The mafia (that includes the politicians as well) keeps on telling us about the potential and how it can develop this country. What has been the outcome of all this cost that the taxpayer incurred? The technological innovation was linked with free market. I have already written about free markets that led me in to conflict with Shaukat Aziz and the then SBP governor. It was a scathing attack on the system and it did not go well these non-political political goons.
It is difficult to perceive what would happen in the future. That the debt incurred as a result of these innovations would be overridden by the social war that would present itself. Karachi, Baluchistan, Fata and N&S Waziristan are the result of that technological shift. East Pakistan I will not mention for then the story would take a different twist. Did we distribute the benefit that we received equitably? Did our elites not siphon these benefits? Are the noises coming out of these areas not worthy to be heard and corrections carried out? No green line, orange line and red bus service is all that we hear of and the advertisements are carried out of the taxpayers money. Will the Punjab government must tell us how much they have spent on photo opportunities of these politicians. Should they want publicity why not spend out of their own funds or are they beggars in gold garments?
Did we foresee that the war weapons that we acquired from the West and from the Chinese would be available to those that opposed the civil society? Cracker is the new word for a much more lethal weapon. Why denude the civil society from the facts. Did our para-civil forces not acquire the Stinger missiles and used them at will? Were we sold to the West for some billions of dollars?
This fear in the economic systems ensures that the investment will not come to Pakistan. In fact, the flight of resource capital from Pakistan to the real estate in Dubai is now a scandalous matter. Even women are involved in the flight of capital. Unless there is stability in Pakistan these matters cannot be controlled. Customs catching Ayan is a freak situation. What happens to our maestro(s) in the political system who have amassed property abroad. Why has the election commission not taken their right to election away from them?
Let any minister go out without an escort anywhere in Pakistan. Even Sangla Hill is now a danger spot, so is Gujranwala and I can make a lot of noise about other places. Unmoved and unconcerned about others is the best way to happiness in Pakistan. It is also the best way to amass money and keep them elsewhere than in Pakistan. Our greatest difficulty is to get out of this system of governance. Imran Khan has promised much but has not given his vision of way forward. The manifestoes that have been given have not been implemented. So why waste paper. There is lot of hogwash that is coming through.
Civil society here is non-existent. The few that make up are not sufficient for critical work. There has to be a critical mass to uproot this system and to go for something that is based more on reason. Will the HEC provide the wherewithal? You got a hope. It's a long haul and Pakistanis are not ready for this long and torturous haul?
Is Pakistan on the way to democracy or is the concept in use to save their money making strategies. Democracy is in danger every minute of our lives. Now when the carpet is pulled off the recourse to Section 58(2b) will not be there and the likelihood of a bloody action cannot be ruled out. So how will the constitution be implemented? Has anyone read the section on Principles of Policy and have these reports been submitted to the National assembly by the provinces and the center? Please do not show me the holes in your socks as evidence of hard work? We know what it is not to put pen to paper. When thoughts are not put on paper one cannot work out strategies.