Facts behind Tarin’s resignation | Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)

Pakistan Press Foundation

Facts behind Tarin’s resignation

A BBC Urdu Service commentary has pointed to factors, other than the need to attend to his own bank, as the real reason for former finance minister Shaukat Tarin’s resignation.

It reveals that hurdles created by the political leadership in the way of essential economic reforms were ultimately responsible for the finance minister’s departure.

These reforms, which included a comprehensive plan for significantly improving the tax to GDP ratio and the imposition of an agriculture tax, reportedly caused pandemonium within the ruling elite.

The former targeted big businesses generating incomes in the billions, while paying taxes in the thousands; the latter aimed at bringing feudals into the tax net.

Mr Tarin is said to have alarmed the moneyed elite with his passionate advocacy that these reforms represented the most pragmatic and meaningful way of overcoming the economic crisis and eventually self-reliance.

The reforms, once approved and implemented, were expected to generate several billion dollars annually. Economically, additional revenues would have stabilised the economy and put it on a growth path.

Socially, the much needed funds would have become available for health, education and poverty alleviation.

Politically, there could not be a better demonstration of Pakistan’s seriousness in the battle for the hearts and minds of its citizens in the fight against terror.

Internationally, it would have brought admiration and additional assistance. Yet, such is the fate of our benighted nation that, despite all the obvious potential advantages of these measures, the government allowed vested interests, most of whom are turncoats, to scuttle them.

The PPP is the most popular political party in Pakistan. It owes its power to the blood of the Bhuttos and the sweat of the poor.

It has neither been a usurper nor a handmaiden of the generals.

Historically, it has demonstrated courage and conviction in thwarting the capitalists and the feudals.

It is, therefore, ironic that measures which had the potential of giving hope and dignity to the poor were smothered by the Pakistan People’s Party.

In the process it has insulted the memory of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and shattered the dreams of the poor.

The envisaged reforms were fair, equitable and long overdue. In their absence, the government will continue to borrow domestically and beg abroad.

Mr Tarin should set the record straight so that the people can differentiate between friend and foe.

IQBAL AHMAD KHAN,
Lahore
Source: Dawn
Date:2/26/2010