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Economists say adopt austerity, curb luxury goods import
Friday, April 17, 2009
By Mansoor Ahmad
LAHORE: Economists, entrepreneurs and civil society are perturbed by the strings attached with $1.5 billion yearly US aid package for Pakistan that infringe on its sovereignty. They have urged the government not to compromise its dignity and adopt austerity instead.
They point out that the common man is unaware of the most insulting comments of the US public about Pakistans protest against the strings attached to the aid package proposed by the United States. The US public in comments carried on the media said things like beggars can't be choosers, if Pakistan does not like the conditions refuse the money, etc.
They point out that $1.5 billion looks big amount as the rulers and the nation even in present testing times are still indulged in unnecessary spending based on imported goods. They said that it is high time that the government take steps to curb all unnecessary imports and expenditures where foreign exchange is involved.
Leading engineering entrepreneur Almas Hyder said that once a country accepts unreasonable conditions for economic aid there is no end to the donors demands. He said economic aid could be linked to improvement of governance, equitable taxation but it could not be bracketed with political performance the parameters of which compromise the sovereignty of the country.
He said the country should go forth with stopping unnecessary imports. He said it looks criminal to import $26 million worth of dog food when human beings are starving in the country. He said Pakistan has highest per capita edible oil consumption in the world that should be curbed to bare minimum by duties on edible oil. He said there is no need to import chocolates, candies, processed juices, cosmetics, and luxury cars that could save more than $1.5 billion import bill. He said these measures would impact only 5 per cent of the privileged class of the country.
Senior economist Naveed Anwar Khan FCA said If Pakistan accepts strings attached with US aid package it would be at the mercy of the United States that would determine whether we have taken the steps according to its vision and satisfaction. He said the aid would always be uncertain and create more uncertainty in the economy than now.
He said austerity is the best answer to maintain the independence of the country.
He said the austerity should start from the top. The federal government he added must take cue from the Punjab government that has saved enough money through austerity to provide roti at Rs2 and double the salaries of its police without unbalancing its budget. He said even the serving of refreshments at official functions is either simple or is not done at all.
The US based social worker Dr Khishwar Dhingra said that the comments coming from the American public in US media about protest from Pakistan on strings attached to aid package are insulting and call for looking for alternate solutions to resolve its economic crisis.
She said one citizen addressing the Pakistan government wrote we can sure use it here for American citizens first. You should know beggars cant be the choosers. We need Pakistan help, but Pakistan needs our help more. I think you will blink before us.
Another one said if the (US) Government can require US banks to accept conditions for aid then the Pakistanis can accept the same thing. Of course, they can always refuse the money. No one is making them take it. Yet another commented, they want the money then play by rules that are set up. They can always refuse the money.
She said one of the comments was extremely insulting it said they have gotten billions and done nothing to help us in the border with Afghanistan. They are a bunch of liars those Pakistanis. Actually, let them show us that they are willing to help us and then we pay them. Let them work for it first.
$1.5bn US aid conditions compromise sovereignty
Friday, April 17, 2009
By Mansoor Ahmad
LAHORE: Economists, entrepreneurs and civil society are perturbed by the strings attached with $1.5 billion yearly US aid package for Pakistan that infringe on its sovereignty. They have urged the government not to compromise its dignity and adopt austerity instead.
They point out that the common man is unaware of the most insulting comments of the US public about Pakistans protest against the strings attached to the aid package proposed by the United States. The US public in comments carried on the media said things like beggars can't be choosers, if Pakistan does not like the conditions refuse the money, etc.
They point out that $1.5 billion looks big amount as the rulers and the nation even in present testing times are still indulged in unnecessary spending based on imported goods. They said that it is high time that the government take steps to curb all unnecessary imports and expenditures where foreign exchange is involved.
Leading engineering entrepreneur Almas Hyder said that once a country accepts unreasonable conditions for economic aid there is no end to the donors demands. He said economic aid could be linked to improvement of governance, equitable taxation but it could not be bracketed with political performance the parameters of which compromise the sovereignty of the country.
He said the country should go forth with stopping unnecessary imports. He said it looks criminal to import $26 million worth of dog food when human beings are starving in the country. He said Pakistan has highest per capita edible oil consumption in the world that should be curbed to bare minimum by duties on edible oil. He said there is no need to import chocolates, candies, processed juices, cosmetics, and luxury cars that could save more than $1.5 billion import bill. He said these measures would impact only 5 per cent of the privileged class of the country.
Senior economist Naveed Anwar Khan FCA said If Pakistan accepts strings attached with US aid package it would be at the mercy of the United States that would determine whether we have taken the steps according to its vision and satisfaction. He said the aid would always be uncertain and create more uncertainty in the economy than now.
He said austerity is the best answer to maintain the independence of the country.
He said the austerity should start from the top. The federal government he added must take cue from the Punjab government that has saved enough money through austerity to provide roti at Rs2 and double the salaries of its police without unbalancing its budget. He said even the serving of refreshments at official functions is either simple or is not done at all.
The US based social worker Dr Khishwar Dhingra said that the comments coming from the American public in US media about protest from Pakistan on strings attached to aid package are insulting and call for looking for alternate solutions to resolve its economic crisis.
She said one citizen addressing the Pakistan government wrote we can sure use it here for American citizens first. You should know beggars cant be the choosers. We need Pakistan help, but Pakistan needs our help more. I think you will blink before us.
Another one said if the (US) Government can require US banks to accept conditions for aid then the Pakistanis can accept the same thing. Of course, they can always refuse the money. No one is making them take it. Yet another commented, they want the money then play by rules that are set up. They can always refuse the money.
She said one of the comments was extremely insulting it said they have gotten billions and done nothing to help us in the border with Afghanistan. They are a bunch of liars those Pakistanis. Actually, let them show us that they are willing to help us and then we pay them. Let them work for it first.
$1.5bn US aid conditions compromise sovereignty
