This is apropos a Business Recorder op-ed "The rationality deficit" by A B Shahid. The writer has concluded his argument in an impressive manner: "Finance Minister keeps reminding us of the 56 percent increase in tax revenue during the last three years, although it was the sour fruit of continuous rise in indirect taxes. The social crisis being fuelled by rising poverty (manifested by the un-ending protests by low-paid workers in state offices) doesn't bother him - a mindset that reflects zero concern not just for fiscal and trade deficits, but for a severe rationality deficit as well. Yet the PML-N regime hopes to complete its full term."
There is little doubt about the fact that the current rule of the PML-N is strongly characterised by a lack of vision and planning. The so-called targets it achieved in the realm of economics and social sector do not qualify it to even contest the next general election. The prime minister who is mired in an unfortunate controversy of the Panama Papers has been expending all his energies towards the Panamagate challenge, paying little or no attention to his job as chief executive of the country. Insofar as his Cabinet colleagues are concerned, they are working 24/7 to defend the prime minister in relation to the Panama Leaks scandal. Finance Minister Ishaq Dar seems to have little or no time for budget business as he has been representing the government team in the parliamentary committee set up by the National Assembly Speaker to articulate consensus Terms of Reference (ToRs) for the proposed commission to investigate the Panamagate. Dar Sahib has too much on his plate; and he has not much time for the real economic challenges facing the country.