Breaking the stupor
The country’s policy machinery has of late acted not very different from the indolent ass which inexplicably sets itself down in the middle of a busy street and thereafter refuses to budge. Shout at it, plead with it or even threaten it with a stick — it will not be swayed by reason or remonstration. At least, that is the picture that comes to mind when one tries to wrap their head around why the government has resisted letting go of some patently bad policy decisions that seem to have done tremendously more harm than good. Well, the public’s patience is now running short.
The State Bank governor recently got a taste of the people’s wrath when he was brought to task for his role in obliging our finance minister’s exchange rate fixation.
Jameel Ahmad ought to have expected anger when he visited the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry last Wednesday. In setting severe restrictions on who can be issued letters of credit and for what goods, his institution has earned the ire of countless industries and commercial enterprises that rely heavily on imports to keep their businesses going. But even if he did anticipate trouble, nothing could have prepared him for some of the more colourful protests directed his way.
Frustrated by the government policy to clamp down on imports rather than boost exports or woo more remittance dollars in the absence of an IMF lifeline, the businessmen in attendance came prepared with novel ways to humiliate the State Bank chief. The poor man was only able to redeem himself with the promise that the situation would improve in the coming week when ‘dollar inflows’ would improve the central bank’s foreign exchange reserves. For the sake of the country, it is hoped that he finds the dollars we so desperately need.
It is doubtful, however, that any of those promised inflows will offset the country’s troubles. On several occasions, the incumbent finance minister has made promises very similar to what the central bank governor made, only to have the ‘friendly countries’ he had pinned his hopes on make it public that they were no longer interested in providing Islamabad with anymore easy money.
Like a chastened child, the government must return to the IMF hat in hand and accede to implementing everything it had been asked to four months ago if it wants any real chance at averting default. The country, which has paid a steep price for that lost time, can only watch in disbelief as the government comes around to doing what everyone except Finance Minister Ishaq Dar knew all along needed to be done. No wonder those at the KCCI meet and greet were so vindictive when expressing their disgust.
Published in Dawn, January 23rd, 2023
Wrong approach
PAKISTAN has for the past several decades been battling sectarianism. While targeted killings and sectarian acts of terrorism may currently be down, in the past the nation has witnessed grotesque massacres of innocent people carried out by sectarian death squads. Amongst the key reasons behind the rise of communal violence in the country has been the increase in extremist tendencies since the Zia era, and the related activity of anti-Shia terrorist outfits. However, instead of looking at progressive ways to address this existential threat to the national fabric, the state has often resorted to muddled methods that end up stoking the flames of sectarianism. In this context, the recent passage of the Criminal Laws (Amendment) Act, 2023, by the National Assembly appears to have worried observers. Sponsored by a Jamaat-i-Islami member, the law, amongst other things, proposes to increase the punishment for those who use derogatory remarks against members of the Holy Prophet’s (PBUH) family, his wives, companions and caliphs to life imprisonment “for a period not less than 10 years”.
It is hard to understand why such a sensitive law was passed ‘unanimously’ without quorum. Such legislation needs the maximum input of elected representatives, and should not be bulldozed through the House. Moreover, there is concern that this law will be open to misuse, much as the blasphemy laws are. As the HRCP has noted, instead of curbing sectarianism, the law will likely be “weaponised disproportionately against religious minorities and sects”. For example, by passing such legislation, even an informed discussion on Islamic history — fully within the bounds of respect — may be misinterpreted by some as an affront to revered personalities. While derogatory remarks against the Holy Prophet and his wives are unacceptable, expanding the ambit through vaguely worded laws can lead to misuse of such legislation. The fact is that confessional differences have existed in the Muslim world for 14 centuries, and the views of any one group cannot be imposed on all. In order to eliminate sectarianism, it should be the responsibility of Shia and Sunni ulema to preach tolerance and advise their flocks not to indulge in toxic polemics. Instead of passing debatable laws, the state needs to crack down on violent hatemongers. Indeed, it is hoped that better sense in the Senate prompts the legislators to rethink the law in view of its implications.
Published in Dawn, January 23rd, 2023
Saudi position
THE Saudi position not to recognise Israel until there is a two-state solution to the Palestine question is a welcome one. The kingdom’s foreign minister restated his government’s stance while talking to a media outlet in Davos. Though the Saudis have said so several times, the latest remarks are significant considering the speculation that Riyadh was on the cusp of recognising Tel Aviv, especially after its Gulf allies — the UAE and Bahrain — established ties with Israel through the so-called Abraham Accords. “True normalisation and true stability will only come through … giving the Palestinians a state,” Prince Faisal bin Farhan told Bloomberg. In this regard Pakistan had also recently stated at the UN Security Council that the two-state formula was the “only viable solution” to the Arab-Israeli dispute, while its ambassador to the UN reiterated the need to protect Al Aqsa’s ‘status quo’.
While ties with other Muslim states may be important for Israel, Saudi Arabia is the big prize. After all, as the kingdom hosts Islam’s holiest cities, the day Riyadh recognises Tel Aviv, other Muslim states may line up to do so as well. That is why it is important to maintain a consensus within the Islamic bloc: unless the Palestinians have a viable and functional state, there can be no normalisation with Israel. The right-wing government of Benjamin Netanyahu is aware of the Saudis’ significance; while holding discussions with the US national security adviser, Mr Netanyahu discussed measures that could lead to “a breakthrough with Saudi Arabia”. However, as things stand, normalisation is difficult, as the extremist members of Mr Netanyahu’s cabinet, as well as the Israeli leader himself, are bent upon expanding illegal settlements in the occupied territories. Moreover, many Israeli ministers have openly racist views on the Palestinians, and to expect a fair deal from them for the Arabs is to delude oneself. Until the Palestinians can breathe freely, normalisation should be off the table.
Published in Dawn, January 23rd, 2023