- Will the new year be equally challenging?
Pakistan fared better than many other countries as it grappled with covid-19. Despite this millions were pushed under the poverty line as the economy shrank and businesses collapsed. The government could have performed better had it not displayed a lack of urgency at the initial stage and had not taken decisions dictated by religiosity that helped spread the virus. But for the resilience in the masses, the impact of the pandemic could have been more deadly.
The government’s handling of the economy reflected an ineptness which has remained one of its constant features. Right at the beginning of the year, inflation surged to 14.6 percent, the highest in 12 years. The government tried to control the prices of commodities of daily consumption but failed. The unwise decision of exporting wheat considerably raised the price of the staple, forcing the poorest sections to cut down food consumption. This was followed by the rise in the price of sugar. In both cases imports failed to bring down the prices to the early-2018 level. The rise in the prices of medicines added to the burden on the common man while it could further bring down the life expectancy figure. The failure to control circular debt, combined with pressure from the IMF, has led the government to enhance the electricity rates. The belated decision to import LNG hasraised its price and caused considerable loss of revenue. The petroleum scandal is yet another blot on the government’s performance
The quality of governance in 2020 was once again marked by Incompetence. Aviation Minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan’s unguarded statement about 150 Pakistani pilots holding dubious or fake flying licences led global airlines to initiate probes against Pakistani pilots while PIA flights continue to be banned in Europe. Again governance shortcomings continued to play a role in the country’s failure to satisfy the FATF with the result that Pakistan continues to be on the grey list.
Pakistan’s influence among the Gulf states considerably declined in 2020. Pakistan wasg required to pay back Saudi Arabia $1 billion of its loan within six months of the loan’s renewal. Meanwhile UAE has halted employment and visit visas for Pakistanis causing fear that Pakistan might be losing job market to India. Foreign Minister Qureshi’s meeting with Dubai’ ruler last month failed to affect any change in the UAE policy. Last month Indian army chief Gen Manoj Mukund Naravane visited both UAE and Saudi Arabia which was the first ever visit by an Indian army chief to the two countries. This too is seen as a sign of the shrinking Pakistani influence in a region of vital importance to the country.
FM Qureshi’s highly undiplomatic remarks delivered in August were obviously not helpful. Mr Qureshi had asked the Saudi-led OIC to stop dragging feet on Kashmir. “If you cannot convene it, then I’ll be compelled to ask Prime Minister Imran Khan to call a meeting of the Islamic countries that are ready to stand with us on the issue of Kashmir and support the oppressed Kashmiris.”
India is trying to consolidate its grip in Occupied and bifurcated Kashmir by incentivising sections of non-Kashmiri population to settle in the Valley and thus turn the Muslim majority into a minority. It is simultaneously threatening Pakistan by increasing pressure on te LoC. The PTI’s critics maintain that its government has no clear policy to respond to the challenge. .
For the opposition 2020 was yet another year of political victimisation. Shahbaz Sharif was arrested in September while Hamza Shahbaz has completed a year in custody. Kh Saad Rafique and his brother were finally bailed out after 16 months in jail. Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Ahsan Iqbal too were arrested but given bails BY the court. The last to be taken into custody by NAB is Kh Asif.
The opposition has taken recourse to agitation at a time when Pakistan is in the grip of the second wave of coronavirus and there are reports of confirmed cases in Pakistan of the fast spreading UK covid-19 variant. PDM, the newly formed opposition alliance, is meeting today to take important decisions to step up the ongoing agitation. The government has tried to suppress the opposition through use of force but failed to achieve the purpose. Unless those who matter take recourse to persuasion, the confrontation could harm Pakistan.
