OPINION Vol.1, No.1 June 2013 - National Defence University

Recommended Areas for Immediate Attention by the Government
At present, the people of Pakistan have high hopes with newly elected government. If the
governance does not improve, the people are likely to react by coming out on the streets and launch
massive protests. Nevertheless, following areas have been identified 38 for attention by the next
government to avert Arab uprising like situation in Pakistan:-
Conclusion
Equitable Socio-economic Development. Equitable socio economic development of all the
regions of Pakistan is of paramount importance. For this, we have to reset our budget allocation
priorities and revenue generation methodology. Social justice, health, education, housings,
affordable food and clean drinking water are the most critical issues which are adversely
affecting the morale of the nation and need immediate attention.
Governance. Poor governance in Pakistan has in fact affected every facet of our national
undertaking. Emerging governments in the Arab world, after the uprisings, are keenly studying
the Turkish model where the government has been able to create balance between various state
institutions through consistent good governance over the past decade. Pakistan also has the
potential to develop at a faster pace provided we improve governance, eradicate corruption and
ensure across the board accountability.
Employment Opportunities. Approximately, three million Pakistani youth enter the job
market every year. Providing them with jobs means high rate of growth sustained over a long
period. Only a robust private sector can provide bulk of jobs so critically required by our youth.
One of the Arab countries that has developed a robust private sector is UAE and it was least
affected by the Arab uprisings. Therefore, instead of spending billions of Rupees on sick public
sector enterprises, our focus should be on strengthening the private sector.
Resolution of Energy Crisis. This is the single most critical issue which has impeded the
economic growth of the country, discouraged foreign direct investment and resulted in flight of
capital from Pakistan. The issue needs to be tackled on war footing.
Internal Stability and Cohesion. The main threat to Pakistan today is from within. Therefore,
the leadership of Pakistan must make a sincere effort and use all the means available to nurture
internal peace, harmony and cohesion, through socio economic justice, end to nepotism,
promotion of merit and the process of national reconciliation.
The Arab world has come out of deep slumber and the people have demonstrated that
collectively they wield power to overthrow the regimes. The Arab men and women from different walks
of life particularly the educated young generation have played the key role in the uprisings and continue
to do so in different Arab countries. They have shown tremendous potential, political understanding and
clear vision for the future. Now, the job of the civil society, intellectuals and emerging leadership is to
focus on political and economic reforms while steering clear of the conspiracy theories and pointless
debate and confrontation between secularists and fundamentalists. In view of socio economic
inadequacies of Pakistan similar to that of Arab world, Pakistan’s leadership must draw relevant lessons
to improve governance and all the facets of people’s life for better harmony in the society, so essentially
required for development and prosperity of the country.
Researchers:
Supervisor:
Brig Qaiser, Amb Khalid, ColAbidi (Jordan), Gp Capt Abdulelah (KSA) and Col Shafiq (Egypt)
Brig Babar Iftikhar
Endnotes
1 Harriet Alexander, One Year on Tunisia Remembers Young Man Whose Death Became the Arab Spring, The Telegraph, 17
December 2011
2 Katerina Dalacoura, The 2011 Uprisings in the Arab Middle East: Political Change and geopolitical Implications,
http://www.chathamhouse.org
3 Tom Behr and Mika Aaltola, The Arab Uprising, FIIA Briefing Paper 76- March 2011
4 Nader Hashemi, The Arab Revolution of 2011: Reflections on Religion and Politics, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news
OPINION Vol.1 No.1 63 June 2013