By APP
Islamabad : Ascending the throne would not be a marry go round for the ruling coalition as heightened masses aspirations and enormous local and international challenges are eagerly waiting them. Right from the macro and micro economic challenges down to availability of daily use items and sustainable living would be the key challenges in a partially deregulated economy.
Falling short of just four seats in National Assembly to secure two third majority, the coalition partners PPPP, PML-N and ANP would not be in utmost comfort to run the state affairs.
Being it the global war against terrorism or local extremism, law and order would be a gigantic task for the multi-party government in the face of deteriorating situation.
Poverty, unemployment, socio-economic uplift, trade deficit, infrastructure development and above all strengthening democratic norms, promoting provincial harmony and bringing the neglected to mainstream would be the top issue to be tackled.
In a country where millions of people are earning less than $2 a day, how long the newly elected government would be successful to address their problem, is yet a question to be answered.
Shrinking resources, like water, energy and edibles as well as recent power crisis calls upon these politicians to tighten their belts for a bumpy ride.
Two major parties, successfully sailing through the elections, owe the key responsibility though the opposition parties could also not be oblivious of their obligations to the nations.
Imprudent use and mounting pressure on natural resources, increasing population, climatic changes, impending water and energy shortage, rising pollution, mal-nutrition, infants death rate, insufficient health and education facilities and poor living standard is still haunting the people.
The country is rich in resources and opportunities to prosper but what we lacked is proper use of these resources for the welfare of our people.
With majority living in rural areas and directly or indirectly associated to agriculture sector, this sector would need special heed in coming years.
The new government would need to assess afresh how it could create a balance between supply and demand to avert any future atta, sugar and cement crises.
It would not only be the daily use items but also an overall assessment which the new government would be in a dire need to do and calculating what we have and what we shall be needing during next decade or so.
The problems people facing today are far less than the challenges which may emerge in wake of water and energy shortage due to retreating glaciers, global warming and rising population.
Already at the verge of water scarcity with per capita annual water availability in the country declining to 1050 gallon from 5400 gallon in late fifties and early sixties. The global standard for water scarcity is 1000 gallon per capita water availability annually and we are just close to it.
Meeting electricity requirements would be another challenge with a present power shortfall of around 1000 MW (official figures), so is the depleting gas reserves.
Cottage industry is gradually depleting and sustainability of middle class is threatened by mounting price hike and highly paid services.
Experts describe these two segments as the backbone of any economy and if these two vital components are not safeguarded where we would be heading, is very clear.
Trickle down effect is a promise yet to be fulfilled. As far as the fruit of economic progress do not reach the poor, things remain unchanged.
Over the years, people have been coming across terms like political commitment, socio-economic uplift and ameliorating their lot through resolution of their problems. But, for how long these sweet lullabies for the people, is another thought provoking question.
Are we really going for political commitment and saner policies for fully utilizing our resources for the masses welfare. The answer is not far away.
Situation is not too cordial and need concrete, holistic and result oriented policies as well as crash programs with utmost participation of the people through their awareness on available resources and their prudent usage.
There is no doubt that masses are the key stakeholder in progress, their awareness and participation would be a pre-requisite to continue the pace of progress and bring about an overall turn around.
Let us drive away from the stigma of status quo and stop gap arrangements and forge ahead with unity, commitment and consistencyto earn a respectable place among comity of nations.