THIS is with reference to the article ‘What we need to grow’ (Dec 8). The former finance minister has lately become an advocate of a new elite bargain in Pakistan. He has been talking about a new social contract where middle class gets an opportunity to join mainstream politics and socio-economic development.

In his recent article, he put forward six different ways through which we can go about the proposed elite bargain. But these points are creating further confusion and are based on thoughts which I found rather strange. For example, he talked about creating more independent administrative units so that they may compete with each other. This seems like opening up new windows of corruption and mismanagement at levels that would be in addition to the current provinces.

According to his philosophy, he is in favour of creating more units where special economic zones can be developed, and then all these 38 units will compete with each other. When we have four units — the provinces — that are not in a position to compete, how can we expect to have further subdivisions? And, how can we expect them to be self-sufficient, generating their own revenues and engaging in economic competition with each other?

Keeping in mind the overall situation of the country in the domain of its political economy, the idea seems to be just another storm in a tea cup and a new debate over a cup of coffee.

Above all, it is ironic that the man is denouncing elitism despite himself belonging to that class. He criticises the status quo in the system of governance while being himself a part of it. Which of these two happens to be the bigger irony? Well, you may decide for yourself.

The actual middle and lower classes of the country have always had an ample opportunity to listen to such ‘sympathetic advises’ by such ‘elite’ personlaities who seem to think as if their big responsibility is just to tell the poor that they are poor.

Dr Kamran Ahmed Soomro
Karachi

Published in Dawn, January 3rd, 2023