‘Basic Fives’ key to our uplift

A Siddique

Nothing has changed for the better for the people of Pakistan since the Independence irrespective of the regimes – elected or military. The foremost reason is that basic issues have not been addressed deliberately or due to incompetence, lack of vision and sincerity on part of the ruling elite. All efforts had been made, and are still being made, to maintain the status quo to benefit the already rich and powerful elite.

Nothing will change without addressing the following ‘Basic Five’: i.e. the population growth, ruling elite and electoral laws, political parties, judicial system and police, and education, moral values and ethics.

In 1947 the West Pakistan had 50 million people. Today we are 200 million. The population is growing at 2.5pc rate and is likely to be doubled by 2050. Whereas the resources, like water and agricultural land etc are decreasing rapidly. Pakistan is likely to face drought like situation 12 years from now if no action is taken. All socio-economic problems, terrorism, law and order etc are directly or indirectly linked to the population growth. All governments have shown criminal negligence in this regard. This can be checked by incentives, disincentives, creating awareness among the people and through “Ijtehad”. Pakistan can gain demographic dividends by investing in education and health sectors, otherwise demographic disaster will ruin the country.

Our elite, comprising 250-300 families, is ruling the country since 1947. It has amassed huge wealth by misappropriating state resources and through corruption. Their assets, business and family interests in foreign countries have become national security issues. It is a mafia, and a cartel whose only aim is loot and plunder. Its members protect each other irrespective of party affiliations and are devoid of any moral and ethical values. The elite must be replaced with educated, honest and capable people with moral and ethical values having no interests outside Pakistan. This can be done by amending electoral laws and an independent election commission capable of implementing those laws to bar the corrupt, loan defaulters, non-taxpayers, drug and land mafia and those with business and family interests in foreign lands, to contest the elections.

Political parties are actually the fiefdoms, personal and family properties of leaders and are inherited by the sons and daughters. Proper party elections and audit of their accounts must be held under election commission to free them from the clutches of few families. There should be a ban for close relatives becoming party heads after the leader at least for five years.

No society can progress without peace and justice. To a great extent, our judicial system and police have failed, though there are other factors equally responsible, in this regard. A complete revamp of entire judicial system, investigation and prosecution procedures is required to ensure affordable and speedy justice. Recruitment, training, postings, transfers, promotions, rewards and punishments in police should be purely on merit and without political interference. Motivation of police through incentives and personal example by the leadership at all levels can be a deciding factor in the performance of their duties. Education of their children, medical facilities for the families, married accommodation, food and transport during duty and compensation in case of death may be looked after on the lines of armed forces.

Finally, our education system has not produced honest and responsible citizens with high moral and ethical values. It has resulted in division of society due to different education systems and medium of instructions. Education system should aim at creating one nation with high moral and ethical values. Education class without these values has damaged this country the most. Problems like corruption, bad governance, absence of rule of law, energy crisis, failed economy, law and order and terrorism etc are the result of these basic issues and not the issues in themselves. These basic issues are interlinked and unless these are addressed in their entirety, nothing will change. (ENDS)