Jang Economic Session: Call to focus on resolving economic issues

LAHORE: Ensuring economic security is difficult without changing the style of ruling. Sense of deprivation and other negative feelings and trends are growing due to unequal distribution of wealth and economic injustice in the country.

These views were expressed by the speakers at Jang Economic Session on ‘how to give feeling of economic protection to public’. The panellists were Ehsan Wayen, Imtiaz Cheema, Khalique Arshad, Shahida Saleem and Jameel Naz. The session was hosted by Sikindar Lodhi. Ehsan Wayen said no system existed since the creation of Pakistan to protect economic interests of the masses. He said capitalism was attached with democracy and common interests of influential people have increased people’s problems while constitutional institutions have also failed to protect economic interests of common people. He stressed the need to develop an effective system to eradicate poverty instead of making the poor parasites and beggars by feeding meals.

Imtiaz Cheema said ensuring economic protection to public is crucial in this scenario. He alleged that the PML-N government had failed to end loadshedding, ensure availability of drinking water, health, education and other basic civic facilities. He said environment of mistrust was not suitable for political system. He said middle class was affected by the government’s policies while the government ignored population planning and unemployment.

Khalique Arshad said with economic insecurity people are using all fair and unfair means to meet their demands, creating law and order. He said current economic condition of the country has exposed ineffective policies of the government. He called for increasing civic facilities in rural areas to stop migration into cities. He said focus on resolving public issues and avoiding politics of confrontation can fulfill the dream of prosperous Pakistan.

Shahida Saleem said economic protection was possible by ensuring basic civic facilities, equal distribution of wealth and respectful employment. She said ineffective polices, non-implementation of policies and lack of facilities are creating problems. She said geo-economics is more vital than geo-political so think tanks should focus on resolving economic issues and ending tension with neighbouring countries.

Jameel Naz called for controlling inflation, corruption, cheating, smuggling and other evils in society. He said people are struggling for survival due to lack of government’s focus on public issues. He said vocational training and technical education are important to reduce unemployment and improve living standard. Giving priority to resolve public issues could revive economy, he said.