As the year has begun, my hope and aspiration like millions of my countrymen is that the country takes a turn toward a better future. Our people have suffered for long and the progress the country has made in respect of achieving political stability, economic self-sufficiency and international standing falls far short of what its people deserve. For these failings, the primary responsibility rests with the political leadership. But it would be unfair to single them out. The military's role in politics and the involvement of civil bureaucracy has also contributed to the weakening of the democratic order. However, all this could change for the better if there is a realisation and commitment by all institutions to abide by constitutional and legal norms. We do have a civilian government and a Constitution that lays down a democratic order, but it is greatly handicapped due to its factitious inter-party politics involving PML and PTI and its inability to fully rely on democratic institutions.

After all, the seventy-seven years of experience in Pakistan's short history reminds us that there is no alternative to a democratic order and adhering to constitutional obligations. And this has to be accompanied by government pursuing policies that promote economic growth to empower the people and lift the country. But in this effort too, we have been lagging behind. Pakistan's dependence on economic aid has been there virtually since its birth. Initially, for the first few years, one could understand that there were compelling factors to seek aid. Millions of........

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