Partly Facetious: The bar was very, very low

"Compassion, justice, adherence to democratic norms..."

"I understand you are disappointed based on some domestic news on Thursday, but I would have you know that compassion, justice and adherence to democratic norms are being challenged by leaders all over the world, and I am not limiting myself to dictators anymore..."

"Unlike the leaders you are referring to, we, in Pakistan were expecting positive change because the bar was so very, very low..."

"Right, but a low bar doesn't necessarily mean there is no other way but up. Let me give you an example. Domestic economists and some IMF staff thought that our exports would rise because the base was so low and that hasn't happened."

"Economists whose salaries are paid by the taxpayers, or those who claim to be independent?"

"Claim?"

"We have seen time and again independent economists shutting up after they are offered lucrative jobs paid for by the taxpayers."

"Yep, and this policy is as old as...as...as..."

"As is Pakistan I would say."

"I presume, it is difficult for you to see the glass as half full today but..."

"If you are going to talk about our improved ranking on the World Bank's ease of doing business then let me raise one issue with the Bank: why in the world would they talk about improvements in ease of doing business when those who were doing business in Pakistan are scaling down their output, LSM was down by 7 percent in August, courtesy the conditions agreed with the IMF? Shouldn't the World Bank international staff with tax free salaries have focused on coming up with a more relevant indicator!"

"Razzak Dawood was asked that question and he said the results would be seen in the long term..."

"Has he heard the much quoted statement by Keynes that in the long run we are all dead?"

"I guess not and besides even the long run would be beyond September 2022, as growth is targeted to pick up after the IMF programme is completed, and I am not sure the poor and the rising army of unemployed will not come out on the streets well before then..."

Copyright Business Recorder, 2019