COMMENT:Behave or else!—Mujahid Eshai

Nations have to sit down and take count of what they have and how best they can utilise these resources. On the contrary, we have always waited for manna to drop from the heavens

The other day I met a non-resident American-Pakistani who asked why does the Pakistani electronic media show graphic images and why does it sensationalise non-issues. Frankly, I answered that the majority of anchorpersons, newscasters, editors, etc, belonged to the vernacular press and thus their approach remains to seek sensational headlines in order to sell the paper, while forgetting that they now work in a totally different environment. I stated that they would learn to restrain themselves with the passage of time. The gentleman, however, believed that at present Pakistanis are like the Romans of yesteryear, and appear to have become sadists, looking forward to watch a man killing another. The spate of targeted killings in Karachi and the horrendous assassination of the lone son of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s information minister perhaps prove the point.

The visit of the Indian foreign and home ministers was followed by the arrival of the guardian angels from the ‘master protector’. One could sense the gleeful anticipation in Islamabad and everyone was busy in providing foolproof security arrangements for the visitors. Did they all, in the process, forget to do their homework? The officials were quite happy at being told what to do and how to ensure the security of the visitors who clearly stated that they would raise hell if any terrorist activity were traced to the country, and that we must forget everything else and do more as it was in the interest of the ‘master protector’. Not for a moment did one hear anyone talking of how Pakistan should be protected from internal and external threats the way Pakistanis wanted. Why should both parties not be more worried about safeguarding and promoting Pakistan’s interests? We were told to examine our behaviour and correct our ways. Very sound advice indeed when it comes from them. Some in Pakistan, who have been saying exactly that for years, were always told to take a hike, because those in power considered themselves more intelligent than the rest. But are they really?

The much-liked and appreciated chief of army staff (COAS) has been given an extension in service. The chap deserved it simply on account of what he has achieved and how, in some people’s opinion, he had repeatedly stood up for Pakistan’s interests. However, did anyone think of the long-term cost involved that we might not be able to afford? Did we forget history and the trail of events following such extensions in the past? Did we forget what it would do to the morale of the force at large? Would it not have been better to take the recommendation of the concerned institution and other army chiefs? If indeed this was done, the public at large has not been made aware of this fact. But does the public matter? Maybe it was simply another case of massaging one’s ego, where the announcer had to be seen as the decision maker. Perhaps the intention was to display that the civilian government is operating in harmony with the army.

The US has finally agreed to allow the import of Pakistani mangoes but subject to the usual monitoring and control. A breakthrough on the economic frontier, they call it. However, I wonder how many mangoes and years would it take to recoup the cost of one fighter plane or a piece of sophisticated machinery purchased from them. Most battles today are not being fought with guns but with economic might and influence. Nations have to sit down and take account of what they have and how best they can utilise these resources. On the contrary, we have always waited for manna to drop from the heavens. It seems that we have not yet forgotten that the majority of us have always survived and prospered on handouts, whether doled out by the great Timurid kings, the East India Company or the British Raj. We continue to want to be bailed out by some potential saviour, thus forsaking our long-term national interests in the process. There is no dearth of resources, be they minerals, water or manpower. Over the years, trillions of dollars have been remitted from hardworking Pakistanis living abroad. The question that remains is, why did we not use these resources for the benefit of the country?

The issue now is whether we have completely missed the bus and are content with simply continuing the hideous tradition of letting everyone walk over us or not. Our great economic wizards have made policies only to keep up with the proverbial Joneses. Such behaviour is also observed in our daily lives regardless of the accompanying costs. Have we ever thought about where would we like to see our country in 20 years and whether we have sufficient resources to achieve our objectives? If we do not have the resources, then do we go back to the drawing board and rework our thoughts until we come up with attainable milestones? It is imperative that we take the public on board because it is they who matter. Such a drive requires unselfish attitudes and going across the board to seek the best people who represent a broad array of views, to assist in creating a nation that we must be.

We should not overlook the fact that to make the All-India Muslim League the sole representative of the Muslims of India, the great Quaid did exactly that. Otherwise, men may come or go, but we as a nation will be stuck in the immense mire of self-deception and intrigue. Let us stop hurting ourselves and get down to business to rescue our future and the future of the coming generations of Pakistanis.

The writer is a fellow and former president of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan. He also served as a member of the Federal Ad Hoc Public Accounts Committee