Pakistan has long been lacking a leadership that can focus on remedying its fragile economy, political malaise, bad governance, etc to transform the country into a successful model of development. A lack of focus to deal with issues that pose serious challenges to the country is a major problem for the 240 million people of this country.

One can quote innumerable examples to prove that countries where the leadership has a focus on ameliorating the lives of their people are role models. The focus of Japan and Germany, the two defeated powers of WW-II, was on utilising the positives to move on — and emerge as world’s second and third largest economies within a span of four decades. Likewise, China, India, Singapore and the UAE prioritised seeking excellence in industrialisation, modernisation of infrastructure, GDP, per capita income, foreign exchange reserves, educational standards, research and development to lead to good quality of life for their people.

Where Pakistan is standing today is not difficult to gauge. Barring minor achievement like reduction in the balance-of-payments gap, there has been no success over the last one year as regards controlling inflation and poverty, raising foreign exchange reserves and tackling foreign debt. Poor performance in sports, education, R&D and human security like access to clean and safe drinking water, better health, housing, transport reflects the fragility of the leadership in focusing on areas which can augment the quality of life of people.

When the powers-that-be only focus on bringing favourites to the helm, one........

© The Express Tribune