Lofty promises
AS the conversation on the upcoming election picks up speed, it is hoped that political parties are in the crucial phase of crafting their election manifestos. However, if past poll exercises are any indicator, coming up with these documents might prove a mere formality rather than an insightful process for parties to engage in.
Parties seem to have stopped putting any effort into these important declarations, perhaps believing the voter will not read them before choosing who to vote for. But they need to realise that much has changed since the advent of social media and a large proportion of our young populace has been added to the voter list.
In fact, these youngsters make up 45pc of those eligible to vote. Voters in today’s age are informed and demand greater engagement. The only engagement they have seen, however, is verbal jousting on social media.
If their manifestos are crafted intelligently and communicated effectively — and there is real intent to follow through — parties would have a good chance at connecting with their voters.
There are several key areas parties should pay particular attention to when drafting their manifestos. Education remains a paramount concern. A disconnect can be seen between the tall claims made by the parties with regard to education and the actual implementation of their policies.
In 2018, parties including the PPP, PML-N and PTI, did recognise — at least on paper — the importance of education, and promised to increase budgetary allocations and student enrolment.
However, the lack of specifics and clear timelines led to underwhelming results. The handling of climate change is another critical area. Pakistan’s vulnerability is often highlighted, but the true issue is our lack of preparedness for climate-induced disasters. The floods of 2010 and after underscore this vulnerability.
Despite international commitments to climate agreements, the country lacks comprehensive national adaptation plans. Health policy, particularly during times of political change, has shown a tendency for discontinuity.
The evolution of the national health insurance system, impacted by political affiliations and changes in government, highlights the need for policy continuity and the importance of strengthening primary healthcare.
The explosive population growth in Pakistan, now the world’s fifth most populous nation, presents a dire challenge that is often overlooked in policy discourse. Rapid urbanisation, inadequate civic infrastructure, and social issues arising from an uncontrolled population increase demand immediate action.
This election cycle offers an opportunity for parties to demonstrate a clear understanding of these critical issues and a commitment to addressing them through actionable plans. The true test, however, will lie in the execution of these plans, ensuring that promises made today do not become the broken pledges of tomorrow.
Published in Dawn, November 27th, 2023
PSX performance
THE relentless bulls have pushed away the bears — at least for now. The benchmark KSE-100 index touched a new record of above 59,100 points on Friday, despite profit-taking towards the end of the day due to the culmination of the rollover week. Helped by excellent corporate profits, reduced economic volatility, the successful conclusion of a staff-level IMF deal, expectations of a post-poll ‘stable’ government and optimism about the early reversal of monetary tightening, share prices have jumped rapidly in the last three months. The return of foreign institutional buying has also played a part. The share index gained 3.5pc week-over-week and increased by nearly 45pc from its end-December level. Many analysts feel that the valuations still remain attractive in spite of the recent sharp rally as the market recoups the losses of the last six years. The market’s current bullish march is impressive considering that the Pakistan Stock Exchange, which was the worst-performing market at the end of 2022 in dollar terms, is now being ranked among the best-performing bourses worldwide since end-August.
But for how long will the bears stay on the sides before returning to their rampage to pull down share prices? Much of the answer hinges on how the economy behaves going forward and whether the government is able to woo the promised foreign investment from ‘friendly’ Gulf nations to improve Pakistan’s balance-of-payments position and kick-start growth. The recent macroeconomic recovery remains fragile as it has been achieved through short-term fixes such as cuts in development spending, implementation of import curbs, and imposition of indirect taxation and administrative actions. The structural weaknesses dragging down the economy and growth also remain entrenched and unaddressed. More crucially, the longer-term bull reign will depend on political stability after the elections. For now, investors are holding on to hopes of continuous improvement in the future economic outlook, and the installation of a stronger government with a credible and clear public mandate to take tough decisions and negotiate a bigger and longer-term deal with the IMF. This is not the first time PSX has been ranked among the best performers in the world. The question is: for how long can it hold on to this position?
Published in Dawn, November 27th, 2023
Democratic imperative
THE recent march in Lahore, led by the Progressive Students Collective, illustrates the urgent call from Pakistan’s youth to revive student unions. This was just one example of a generation demanding not only representation but also solutions to systemic issues plaguing educational institutions: harassment on campuses, especially of female students, the absence of effective anti-harassment committees, and the unequal treatment of students in university policies. These grievances, coupled with broader sociopolitical concerns such as enforced disappearances, inflation, and high fees, underscore the multifaceted role student unions can play. It is evident that while the Sindh Students’ Union Restoration Act and similar initiatives mark significant progress, the challenge lies in ensuring these unions operate effectively and autonomously. Universities must balance integrating student voices into administrative decisions, while safeguarding against external political influences. The concerns raised by the students — free education, fair representation in decision-making bodies, and equitable treatment in campus policies — reveal the potential of student unions to address issues beyond academics. They can act as catalysts for societal change, fostering a culture of debate, tolerance, and democratic engagement.
However, as discussions around the revival of student unions progress, it is crucial to heed past lessons. The historical misuse of student bodies by political factions, leading to campus violence and suppression of free expression, must not be repeated. A code of conduct, agreed upon by all stakeholders, is essential to ensure that student unions prioritise welfare and democratic values over political agendas. The revival of student unions is more than a legislative or administrative decision: it is a response to a clarion call from the youth. It is about empowering a generation to shape not only their educational environment but also the future of the nation. As Pakistan stands at a crossroads, the revival of student unions could be a step towards nurturing a politically aware, socially responsible, and democratically engaged youth.
Published in Dawn, November 27th, 2023