LAHORE (AFTAB AFZAL RANJHA): Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) chief Dr Tahirul Qadri are flexing their muscles to inflict heavy damages on the government by entering the Red Zone area in Islamabad. The Red Zone is a highly sensitive area where important government buildings and diplomatic enclave are situated. Any misadventure in the area could lead to heavy national losses but no one in the political divide is ready to listen to the voices of reasons and budge from their firm positions. Both the politicians – who are leading thousands of their followers — are seemingly unaware of the fact that the political chaos has not only jeopardised the political system, but has also adversely affected the trade and investment activities in the country.
Only in the recent past, the businessmen had taken a sigh of relief when the Pakistani products were allowed to enter the European markets and it was hoped that the government would grasp this opportunity and would resolve energy crisis and procedural issues confronting the business community. However, some imprudent elements within the ruling elite adopted the path of confrontational politics and brought the situation to a pretty pass. This state of affairs has created a situation for their leader Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, putting him on the defensive lines. The current political chaos has not only slowed down the commercial activities, but the foreign investors and businessmen are also reportedly shy off visiting Pakistan.
On another note, Khan’s call for civil disobedience drew a strong reaction from the business community as well as the general public. Federal Finance Minister Ishaq Dar has termed the call not only unlawful but also unconstitutional. Dar claims that the stock exchange has lost Rs 350 billion just during the past week’s trading. He says that 90 percent development and daily expenditures of the provinces are met through the revenues from federal divisible pool which means the political chaos is costing the national economy.
At a time when various credit-rating organisations, including Moody’s, were appreciating the government’s economic policies, the latest political chaos is uncalled for. According to Dar, Japan External Trade Organisation has termed Pakistan the best investment destination if it continues the current economic policies.
According to economists, the country would face billions of rupees losses if the current situation is allowed to continue. It is a point to ponder for all the parties concerned — if they prefer the country or their personal interests.
