Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s unveiling of ‘Uraan Pakistan’ underscores the challenges of long-term planning in Pakistan’s unstable political landscape.
The five-year economic reform plan aims to steer the nation toward sustainable growth. Pity that the only thing predictable in Pakistan is the unpredictability of its governments.
Focusing on five key areas—exports, e-Pakistan, equity and empowerment, environment, and energy infrastructure—Uraan Pakistan has an ambitious goal of transforming Pakistan into a trillion-dollar economy by 2035.
However, Pakistan’s history of political volatility—and prevailing instability as the PTI and government clash on every front—raises concerns about the feasibility of such long-term planning. The country has an unenviable history of frequent interruptions in civilian governance, often due to military interventions or political upheavals. Such upheavals repeatedly sever the lifeline of long-term economic planning.
A key factor is the military’s significant influence in Pakistan’s political sphere. While the current administration reportedly has military backing for its economic reforms, this support has not always guaranteed the completion of civilian government terms or the uninterrupted execution of long-term policies. Lest we forget, incarcerated former Prime Minister Imran Khan had once claimed to have a 10-year plan of governance. He couldn’t even complete a full five-year term after falling out with the Army. The military’s sway is only one factor in a broader tapestry of instability that hinders economic reform.
Each new administration often discards the policies of its predecessors, leading to a lack of policy continuity that has facilitated economic stagnation. In his address at the event unveiling Uraan Pakistan, Finance Minister Aurangzeb acknowledged the problem. Without the assurance of political stability, governance in Pakistan will remain akin to a house built on shifting sands, hampering any long-term plans.
For Pakistan to break this cycle, it is imperative to establish a political environment where civilian governments can complete their terms without undue interference. This stability would provide the necessary foundation for the consistent application of economic policies, allowing long-term plans to come to fruition. A national dialogue involving all stakeholders, including the military and political opposition, is essential to break this cycle of instability.
Admittedly, the ‘Uraan Pakistan’ plan is commendable in its vision for economic transformation. However, its success is inextricably linked to the stability of Pakistan’s political landscape. Without ensuring that civilian governments can govern uninterrupted, long-term economic planning may continue to be an exercise in futility.
Uraan Pakistan may take flight, but is unlikely to land.