Speaking at a Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) and International Development Research Centre (IRDC) seminar here, Deputy Chairman Planning Commission, Dr Nadeem ul Haq on Monday vehemently opposed land reforms saying it was an old floated to change an important issue and if implemented it can be counterproductive.
Dr Nadeem claimed that since land holdings in Punjab and Sindh were divided among families' members its reforms programme was just an ill-timed issue. He also strongly protected the politicians when one participant hold corrupt janta now in power responsible of Pakistani peoples problems.
Dr Nadeemul Haq's response to a number of queries raised by Dr Tariq Banuri and other speakers of the seminar annoyed many from the participants . Some of them disagreed with Dr Nadeem claimed in his arguments. One participant told Nadeem that she was totally confused and disappointed to hear from you that Pakistan lacks community policing and community thinking needed for positive changes in the society. Even the chief guest of the seminar IDRCs chief in Pakistan did not agree with Dr Nadeem that Pakistan was a donor run economy and its people think that signing of $35 billion with China will bring a paradigm change for increased growth in a short span of time. Dr Nadeem claimed that Pakistan was in fact a donors driven economy and it lacks major prerequisites for sustainable growth. He also held the community responsible for low growth rate and ailing economy and said when a country posses a divided community it can not have growth.
Dr Nadeem conceded that the country right now in serious energy crisis and its responsibility again rests with those who were just citing instead of thinking to lead the country to a solution to the energy problem. Deputy Chairman Planning Commission claimed that the country was losing Rs 300 billion annually on account of energy waste and cited an example of his flat in US whose geyser was the most efficient and saving energy. He wanted that the people should have a sense to use energy efficient geyser like one in his flat in New York. Dr Nadeem said gas prices in Pakistan were heavily subsidised and one reason of energy waste. He also questioned the people life-style and termed it one of the factors of energy waste causing Rs 300 billion loss per annum to the national kitty.
IDRC'S chief differed with Dr Nadeem donors' role in Pakistan's economy. He said Pakistan's economy against Dr Nadeem's perception was trade driven and not the donors driven.
Dr Tariq Banuri in his lecture termed green economy vital for fast track progress and prosperity. He said Pakistan's neighbours like India and China were giving key importance to green economy for economic growth and adding to per capita income to address issues of poverty and unemployment. Dr Abid Sulehri in his address of welcome, he said that Pakistan possess all the key ingredients for economic growth. He appreciated IDRC's role in arranging the seminar and bringing a large number of intellectuals and policy makers at one point.