Over 60 million voters participated in the 12th general elections held on February 8, 2024. Several political parties across the country participated in the elections to elect representatives in the 265 national assembly and 590 provincial assembly constituencies. Whose so ever forms the government will have many challenges ahead of them. The biggest challenge faced by the country is economic crisis. The country is facing crisis in fluctuating foreign exchange reserves dropping rapidly which are barely enough to cover Pakistan’s debt payment. Foreign exchange reserves need to meet the IMF target of net foreign assets. Situation may arise where paying back loans to IMF will be difficult.
Unfortunately, we have to borrow money to pay the interest on the debt. The debt burden has increased manifold in the recent years. The debt and liabilities are increasing every year which will be posing a serious challenge to new government. The budget deficit has grown over the last many years. Pakistan will have to continue with bailout packages from IMF and friendly counties. Pakistan’s economy mainly depends on agriculture. Despite being an agriculture based economy and 8th largest wheat producer the country is facing food security issues. The COAS has given the Green Pakistan Vision to transform Pakistan into green by reclaiming waste and barren lands across Pakistan. Green Pakistan Initiative already launched across Pakistan and for the first time thousands of acres of barren land in Cholistan have been cultivated.
Another issue would be addressing the issue of unemployment. Various governments in the past promised creation of new jobs but never fulfilled their promises made during election campaigns. The youth employment is a big challenge as this has to be addressed through innovative approach. Inflation has become a serious issue as people are burdened by sky rocketing prices. The raise in oil prices has aggravated the fragile financial economic and financial situation. Tax collection is yet another factor which is affecting Pakistan financially. Only salaried class is paying taxes religiously but still majority escape tax payment. They need to brought into tax net and there is requirement to improve tax collections across the country. Another major issue confronted by the country is terrorism which is threatening the security of the country.
There was 86 percent reduction in terror attacks before the take over of Afghanistan by the Taliban. There is a surge in terror attacks by banned terror outfit ‘TTP’ from the safe heavens inside Afghanistan equipped with latest US weapons. Pakistan has already paid a huge price on the war on terror as more than 90000 Pakistanis have lost their lives. The unfortunate’s part is that Afghanistan’s Taliban Government is not cooperating with Pakistan. The issue needs to the addressed by the new government in line with national security policy. There is urgent requirement of reorganization and upgradation of police mainly CTD to effectively combat terrorism. Police in KP and Baluchistan is facing burnt of terrorism with bravery as first line of defence.
Therefore there is a requirement to enhance capacity of Police across Pakistan in anti-terror operations. The politics in Pakistan have polarized to the extent that politicians are not ready to accept each other and carry mutual hatred towards each other. Politicians accuse each other with undignified words even families are not spared. Political parties need to demonstrate maturity and dignity in their political statements. It will be the responsibility of new government to take all political parties on board while taking decision in the interest of the country. Another important issue is to control those youtubers and social media users who are maligning the state institutions. Anti Army narratives are floated on social media which are detrimental to national security. Those maligning state institutions are working on the agenda of our enemies. Anti Army narrative is always welcomed in India and Afghanistan.
In the prevailing scenario, the situation demands that instead of indulging in blame game and political point scoring better sense should prevail to come up with policies to confront the economic and security challenges together successfully. The Pakistan nations except the elected political leadership / new Government to address some of the issues discussed in this article. The new government must take serious and sincere efforts to make Pakistan stand on its own feet.
Masud Ahmad Khan
The writer is a retired brigadier and freelance columnist. He tweets at @MasudAKhan6