According to Federal Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal, economy of the country would heavily suffer if political instability is continued to persist. The minister is right in his narrative, but the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz has also played a role in creating unwanted troubles for the country. In its four and half years’ tenure, the country showed the worst performance in the realm of economy. The burden of loans was $45 billion when the PML-N took over the rein of the government in Islamabad, but it has now increased to $90 billion and the economists fear the total loan will cross $ 100 billion mark in coming months. Pakistan exported $25 billion worth of goods in 2013, but the exports fell down to $20 billion in four and half years. The agriculture sector lost its vitality and textile industry failed to take benefit of the GSP plus status it achieved from the European Union. Ironically, the foreign exchange reserves were boosted up on the crutches of loans which were taken at higher markup rates.
On the political front, the PML-N government failed to take all the political forces along with it which was indispensible for the development of the country. Instead of making conciliation and reconciliation efforts, the government itself went extra miles to snub the opposition political parties. In a nascent democracy like Pakistan, where anti-democratic forces are ever ready to roll down the system, the PML-N leadership failed to show any sign of leniency toward the opposition parties. The government pushed the opposition to the wall with its one sided steps. As a result, when the prime minister packed home, no political party protested against it. Iqbal, who is also planning and development minister, has to convince his leadership that tolerance is the best option and it works in any situation. Due to political chaos, the foreign direct investment is dwindling and local investors are also shy of putting their money in new projects. When politicians fight for anything in open, the official machinery starts protecting its own vested interests. The ultimate losers in this situation are the people or the economy. The government leaders should show a sense of responsibility and maturity and avoid the politics of confrontation. The opposition political parties should also cooperate with the government on the issues of national interest. After all, this is their country too.
