Editorial: DAWN - 25 June 2013

Missing cooperation: Counterterrorism efforts

OUTRAGE, shock, condemnation, the requisite conspiracy-peddling and then back to business as usual, ostrich-like the same tragic pattern after every new atrocity by militants is playing out once again. For a country that is increasingly suspicious of and hostile to the outside world a reality that is very much reciprocated by the outside world the death of several foreigners hardy enough to try and visit one of Pakistan`s most spectacular tourist sites does not appear to have caused much of a convulsion, particularly given the near-daily litany of death and violence that Pakistanis themselves have had to face. In any case, for those who are increasingly prone to seeing every foreigner in Pakistan as a spy or a Blackwater agent or a Raymond Davis, the reality of what happened in Gilgit-Baltistan on Sunday may not sink in. Surely, though, the loss of already scarce tourism rupees and dollars for a region that has few other economic opportunities should be of concern to fellow Pakistanis? It appears not.

While perceptions will take time to change and ownership of an unpopular fight against militancy may take even longer, the onus is on the government to at least provide a road map for fighting militancy.

Up and down and across the breadth of the security and intelligence appara-tus, there is an understanding that what is lacking is institutional cooperation inside an overarching framework in which a clear and coherent counterterrorism strategy is set out. And to achieve that, there have been few ideas as sensible and relevant as the National CounterTerrorism Authority. In the dying days of the last parliament the Nacta Act was finally passed, seemingly bringing to an end the years-long turf war and desultory activities of Nacta. But while the new government has pledged to infuse Nacta with a real sense of purpose and direction, already it appears that the patterns of old may quickly reassert themselves, ie promises instead of action with meaningful and sustained follow-up.

The purpose of Nacta as a research, policyformulation and coordination body is well known.

Less well known are the difficulties associated with creating a new institution and finding enough elbow space for it to operate in a crowded arena, especially one where the relevant military-run intelligence agencies look down on their civilian counterparts as inferior and unworthy of serious cooperation. Without strong political will and a team to run Nacta that is both professional and independent, little will change.

Still, it is not inevitable that nothing will change.

New worries: Cut in interest rate

THE 50bps cut in the key policy rate last week to a seven-year low of 9pc is in line with the `growth vision` outlined in the first budget of the new government. It also reflects the State Bank`s confidence that the IMF will provide the new loan at much softer conditions than in the past. More importantly, the move shows that the bank is now more worried about a slowing economy and falling private investment than about the balance of payments position and possible risks to inflation in the wake of measures increasing indirect taxes and electricity prices from next month. `Despite these issues, the need to spur domestic investment to revive the economy was paramount,` the bank said explaining its decision.

The return of the PML-N, which promised to reduce the cost of doing business and stimulate investment in its manifesto, has created a kind of euphoria about the revival of growth. The ruling party plans to boost growth to 7pc in three years from the five-year average of below 3pc and take investment-to-GDP ratio to 20pc from 12pc. The rate cut must help reduce the government`s interest payment burden on its domestic loans and improve financial flows of corporations.

It should also act as an incentive for commercial banks to overcome their aversion to risk and lend more money to the private sector as their profitability is squeezed.

But will it boost private investment? That answer depends on how quickly the government bridges the gas and electricity supply gaps and improves the worsening security conditions that have hampered domestic and foreign investment and led the industry to cut its output.

While the business community is waiting for the government`s energy policy with its fingers crossed, the killing of foreign tourists in Gilgit-Baltistan has already dampened the weak investment sentiment generated by the rate cut. The government needs to form a strategy to tackle terrorism and other violent crime if it wants private investors to return to the country.

No escape for favourites: Police transfers

EVEN by Pakistani standards of governing on the basis of personal whims, the police remain an example of chopping and changing. Just as senior policemen routinely suffer public humiliation because of the rulers` urge and need to give sundry security reassurances to the people, the posts these officers are given are a manifestation of their closeness, or otherwise, to those in power. The latest shuffling in the Punjab police department indicates there is no escape for the favourites from the choicest postings. Inevitably, many old faces relied upon by the previous Shahbaz Sharif set-up are back in important positions as the chief minister settles in for his new term.

The PML-N, in power in Islamabad and Lahore, has been given a huge mandate, especially by Punjab.

This increases its responsibilities to provide people with the best in terms of policing. Also, for anyone who is familiar with howaffairs are run at the local level, a glut of lawmakers associated with the ruling party in Punjab create administrative problems of their own. These lawmakers must be kept happy and this is a tough proposition in circumstances where not too many of them can be offered plum jobs, such as ministerial portfolios. Government officials of their choice in their constituencies is the least these lawmakers can expect, putting the much-flaunted desire of the top men in government for merit and justice at odds with the convention where elected members must appear to wield considerable administrative influence among their electorate. If the police are to act as the door to the cherished land where rule of law prevails, with minimal digressions and violations, the thinking has to change. Freeing police of political influence and turning them into a responsible, autonomous force is the key.