For the last so many days, I
have been very much optimistic about the country ’Pakistan’ and the various
political and economic developments that continue to take place in the country
,these days. Despite the fact, there are numerous social, political, cultural,
economic, religious issues being confronted by the developing South Asian
economy ‘Pakistan’; the country still struggles for hope in an atmosphere of a
so-called hopelessness.
However, I am really depressed at the current political situation of Pakistan.
The country Pakistan, which is slowly but steadily prospering, is no more
capable of disastrous or bloodshed-linked events in the name of change.
Although, there is lawlessness, energy crisis, poverty, unemployment and
numerous problematic issues ,but at the same time it is never justified for
either the government or the opposition of the country, to stagnate the
country’s economy by taking steps which are never favorable for the country
especially her developing economy.
A day it is reported that Pakistan Railways comes out of crisis and on the very
next day, we come to know that Pakistan’s national carrier PIA achieves high
aviation standards and what happens the next day is again encouraging nationally
as well as internationally for the country.
Here I would like to share some scripts from Pakistan’s local print media, which
is totally different from what’s being shown on various media news channels
(electronic media) of Pakistan. Let’s have a look at it by being realistic in
all respects.
SCRIPT 1:
“The financial position of Pakistan Railways has improved tremendously after
passenger and freight sectors attracted commuters and traders respectively after
several measures taken by the PR administration.
These views were expressed by newly appointed Pakistan Railways General Manager
(Operation), Muhammad Javed Anwar while talking to APP in an interview after
assuming office as GM Operation here on Sunday at Lahore Railway Headquarters.
Citing some examples like reduction in fares up to the level of buses,
availability of locomotives in the freight sector which made it possible to ply
up to 16 cargo trains in a single day, punctuality of passenger trains has been
improved from 10 pc to 55 pc, fuel availability enhanced up to 15 days from zero
level to streamline operation of trains and last but not the least several
hundred acres of railway land has been retrieved so far, he said and added the
PR administration had made an all-out effort to revive the department”
SCRIPT 2:
“ISLAMABAD: The rapid increase in prices of essential commodities has slowed
down to what they were in the post-election period, as inflation fell to 7% on a
year-on-year (YoY) basis in August, increasing prospects of a reduced discount
rate in the upcoming monetary policy announcement.
Inflation measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) – an indicator that
captures prices of 481 commodities every month – rose to 6.99% in August on a
YoY basis, according to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) on Monday. It
was the lowest since July last year.
The fuel- and food-adjusted inflation also slowed down to 7.8% year-on-year in
August, a reduction of 0.4% in a single month. The slowdown in the pace suggests
that the inherent risks of double-digit inflation are abating. Independent
experts give more importance to core inflation, excluding food and energy, which
are susceptible to seasonal price shocks.
The average inflation during the first two months (July-August) of the fiscal
year remained at 7.44% as compared to the same period of the previous fiscal.”
SCRIPT 3:
“Karachi—Pakistan International Airlines has successfully acquired approvals
under ANO 145 and ANO 147, from Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority thus becoming
the only Pakistani airline in South Asia to achieve both high aviation
standards.
At a simple ceremony Director General Civil Aviation Authority Air Marshall
(Retd) Muhammad Yousaf gave ANO Certificates to Managing Director PIA Mr.
Shahnawaz Rehman whereas Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Aviation Mr.
Shujaat Azeem was also present on the occasion.
The program was initiated by SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional
Cooperation) countries under the “SARI” (South Asian Regional Initiative)
program in the year 2008.
The primary objective of the program was to harmonize aviation regulations in
all member states and align the same with the European Aviation Safety Agency
standards. The CAA teams performed extensive audits of PIA Engineering
&Maintenance facilities and PIA Training Center before issuance of Air
Navigation Orders ANO 145 and ANO 147.
This milestone is a prelude towards acquisition of International approvals such
as EASA (European Aviation Safety Agency) 145 & 147 and other maintenance
organization approvals from other countries too. This will not only provide an
unsurpassed opportunity to the National Flag Carrier in representing the Name of
PAKISTAN into the international skies, but will also contribute to the foreign
exchange reserves.”
SCRIPT 4:
The Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE) on Tuesday witnessed an instant growth after
the joint session of parliament in Islamabad scheduled to discuss the prevailing
political crisis.
For the past couple of weeks, the ongoing political crisis was adversely
affecting the Karachi stock market as the Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE)-100 index
had dropped to 585 points.
Banking and cement sector was lowered by 20 and 22 per cent respectively.
According to the investors, they invested in these sectors in the wake of
initiation of anticipated development program’s but now they feared that the
development programs might not begin.”
SCRIPT 5:
KARACHI: The US dollar seems to have settled at Rs102 as neither the State Bank
nor the Ministry of Finance is making any effort to bring it down through
intervention.
For the last ten days, the dollar is pegged at the same level that suits to
exporters’ interest. They stopped sending home export proceeds to get benefit of
political turmoil which weakened the local currency.
Political uncertainty generated by the sit-ins of PAT and PTI in Islamabad
demanding prime minister’s resignation wreaked havoc in the currency market,
prompting the greenback to move from Rs98 to Rs103.30. "
After going through all these scripts carefully, what a person can cogitate in
connection with the current state of Pakistani state may definitely be another
amazing debate .At least, in a so-called hopelessness, I can easily locate the
ray of hope in Pakistan.
However, what is meant to be carried out at firsthand by Pakistan is not only to
take constructive steps to overcome monetary uncertainties but to introduce
steps that ensure political, social, economic, religious stability in the
country, at the same time.
Exploring feasible localities and strong sectors for investment are the domains
to be relied upon primarily by Pakistan currently. An endeavor directed towards
the betterment of the economic sector, in general and the enhancement of
national income with special reference to the positive trends in Gross Domestic
Product (GDP) and Gross National Product (GNP), in particular, is the need of
the hour.
There is always a room for improvement. Same is the case applicable for the
South Asian country ’Pakistan’. Tremendous break through s in the development of
property, healthcare, infrastructure, in addition to financial services,
telecommunication and technology, growth in retail sales and promotion of
quality and credibility will surely pave the way for a stronger, effective and
strengthened Pakistani economy.
( @ W.M Khan ---------- B.S Honours in English )