The Federal Government’s decision to bring the regulatory authorities under the control of respective ministries has been criticized by economists.
Individuals like Dr Hafiz Pasha, Dr Salman Shah and more termed the move as ‘illegal’ and ‘arbitrary’ and added that it could not be good for consumers.
The Decision Being No Good for the Nation
Former Finance Minister Dr Hafiz Pasha, said that it is a backwards step towards monopolies which will only strengthen crony capitalism. He denied the Government’s decision completely and called it an arbitrary and illegal decision which is supposed to be challenged in the court and reversed since it is an anti-consumer decision.
“The Prime Minister cannot take this decision unilaterally as the matter comes under federal legislation II, i.e. federal as well as provincial governments unanimously can take the decision in the Council of Common Interest in this regard.”
He added that due to this decision, the Government and the Chinese companies will fix power tariffs on their own will and the consumers will be looted without any checks and these regulatory bodies will be able to do nothing about it.
According to another former Finance Minister, Dr Salman Shah, this decision would affect the country’s economy negatively. The nation would convert into “crony capitalism” where favoritism would lead the way and corruption would go off the charts.
He said that these independent regulators take care of the interests of both consumers as well as the investors through its balanced approach, and they would have no power anymore as soon as they go under the direct control of ministries.
Telecom industry experts also said a few words on the subject. They said that Pakistan had always maintained a level-playing field for everyone in the telecom sector thanks to these regulatory bodies, as independent regulators is always a better option when it comes to policy enforcement, but now that it’ll be done by the ministries instead, the new era might not be very investment friendly.
Via TheNation
Unfortunately the Politicians (specially the current lot) think that they are the know all and end all in the hapless empire they rule over.
I can only talk about the PTA, which, under Dr. Ismail Shah has made commendable progress. All stake holders are taken care of and handled as well as the PTA can: Government, Operators and the consumers.
The future now appears bleak since the few people (however competent they are) in the Ministry, cannot overrule their boss (a politician) and the poor boss (in all ministries) has no say in these decisions as Ishaq Dar and Nawaz Sharif are the Vizier and the King respectively. These Ministers unto themselves are not all bad. I think e.g. our own Minister/ess in MoIT is clean and strives hard, but I doubt that the top bosses give them any independence to take (or refuse) decisions.
But I am sure that this will breakdown soon as they realize the blunder they have done and have to revert back to the current system, having made a fool of themselves and creating a loss of Pakistan’s reputation and goodwill.
I truly wish all the politicians should leave something intact and just keep on playing only in the Politics, TV talk shows, land, influence and money grabbing and let this Country not drown because of their greed and hubris.