“A government that robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul”— George Bernard Shaw
The new government, which has somewhat nervously established itself after one of the most questionable elections held on February 8, 2024, has yet to overcome one of its biggest hardships—fiscal challenge for the financial year 2024-2025. Surrounded by an ocean of apparently insurmountable economic complexities, hyper-inflation, burgeoning debts, an out-of-control, unskilled and uncouth bulge of young population, and a hawkish media that is quick to spring upon any bit of information, the government is in direct confrontation with multiple irate ‘bulls’ that could be held by their horns if something concrete is intended.
However, this definitely does not imply that a reign of terror has been unleashed. Rather, it requires the sagacity that should form the backbone of intelligent policies and good governance. Looking within itself should be any government’s priority to first purge its rank and files, thus removing those obstacles that impede the execution of necessary corrective measures and are constantly preventing the restoration of the country back onto its track of progress.
Justice is at the core of every civilised society, and its absence causes insecurity, restlessness, dissatisfaction, disruption of peace and definitely, retardation in economic growth as well as that of the nation. Pakistan is a classic example of a country where justice is present only on paper. If this is not the position, then how come there is a backlog of hundreds of thousands of cases pending at all judicial forums? Where posthumous decisions of innocence are decreed for prisoners languishing for decades behind bars?
How come nepotism is given preference over merit? How come its taxation model is an epitome of inequity? How come perpetrators engaged in different vices like murder, hoarding, adulteration, stalking, usurping rights, etc., roam around free while the virtuous are nabbed for no fault of theirs? How come its disgruntled youth is no longer interested (in John F. Kennedy’s words) “…ask what you can do for your country?”
These are some of the characteristics peculiar to a society sans justice.
With the government least bothered about addressing the problems faced by the common people, hyperinflation, poor governance and extremely poor fiscal policies are causing industries to shut down, halting commercial enterprises, raising unemployment and, resultantly, rendering modest families to a point where earning some money is becoming a herculean task. The handicapped, widows and orphans, who, until some time back were barely eking out a respectable living, are now compelled to seek charity for not only meeting emergency medical needs but also for providing the single meals their families have been reduced, what to talk of affording luxuries such as education for their young ones — the supposed future of Pakistan.
Each day, more and more people are finding themselves sinking deeper into economic black holes thanks to imprudent government policies. And each day, more and more people are openly or covertly begging before anyone who can cross their palms with a few rupees. If this is the trend then our country would be better known for being a nation of beggars. It will not be long before when —just as we look with disdain at paupers in the streets—the international community will also be eyeing us with similar contempt.
We are more than willing to provide a paltry sum of money to residents of low-income groups so that they can manage to make their ends meet for a couple of days, but we are quick to turn down any scheme of creating corporate bodies and make hundreds more shareholders/employees in the dividends of, say, a manufacturing concern to be controlled and run by them, providing ample opportunity to truly grow into a gigantic holding benefitting everyone.
In the absence of a level playing field for all, it is no wonder that we have multi-layered social classes where some are dependent on the generosity of the upper classes and forever theirs to command. For example, check out the vast differences between the Sindhi haris (poor tillers) and their benevolent vaderas (rich land-owners). This clearly speaks of the prevailing injustice which manifests itself in the form of glorified beggars. According to Ralph Nader: “A society that has more justice is a society that needs little charity”.
Where there is true love (not the obsessive or possessive kind), there will always be the desire to see the objective of one’s affections happy and free from anxiety. In other words, one hopes to empower those persons in a way which keeps them independent and raises their self-esteem. This can only be done by teaching them skills—both mental and physical, giving them one’s time, transferring one’s knowledge, lending a helping hand to make them stand on their own, lifting them from shambles and allowing them to participate productively in life.
Giving charity is worthless to a person whose heart is devoid of love for the recipients. The idea of controlling other people’s lives by enslaving them with charity is perhaps the greatest disservice to humanity. On the other hand, allowing others to exercise freedom of choice enables better psychological evolution in terms of mental health and contentment.
The government of the day, as well as those who desire power, need to adopt these principles in their systems, thus focusing towards the betterment of the people who can only be won over by love, not violence. Whether the purpose is to expand voter bank, to continue in power for years, to gain popularity, or to appear like a hero, the only way forward is with compassion and humility—not merely sympathy, and that too peppered with arrogance.
We are presently passing through a period of extremely low vibrational frequency, because of which nothing seems to be right while the future appears murky. At this juncture, our only salvation is in spreading messages of love and humanity and if sincerely done, especially by all three arms of the government, a new dawn will rapidly tear through the present blanket of pitch darkness.