Upper-tunity, why the elite will always win

When it comes to the distribution of resources, the upper or elite class of Pakistan will always have the first say, meaning limited opportunities for the rest of nation.

There is no hiding the fact that diplomats, bureaucrats or the elite in Pakistan are the ones who dictate the policies and influence the goings on in the country. Whether it be lending support for a certain candidate during the elections and benefitting
when he is in a position of power or other such behind the scene activities.

Yet, although that is a major issue it is not the angle this article is looking to discuss. Instead, we shall about opportunities and how those in power will always be able to muscle out everyone else. While that may sound like the way the world works, in
Pakistan the case is slightly different.

If an ordinary person wishes to start a business, look for a grant, seek licensing to set up a factory or look for a permit to extract natural resources, there will always be an extra hurdle. Whether it be bribing the official behind the first desk or having
to hear, the usually unfair, deal being offered by the man in-charge, the person with the idea never reaps all the fruit.

That is because those in power assess the potential of the move and give them ‘permission’ as long as a certain percentage is paid. Now one’s mind can see where this is going as our very own president is famous for just this kind of thing.

Yet, he is just one of many, many such people in Pakistan and is one of the few everyone can see. There is a saying that for every one that is caught, there are a hundred more in hiding. That saying is common in fishing, hunting and corruption in Pakistan.

It is not easy for someone to set up a business in this country without having to bribe or sink to a lower level to get it going and then keep it running, which is sad because the people in this country have ideas and the back bone to follow through on them,
if only there was not so much useless red tape.

Short URL: https://www.newspakistan.pk/?p=7155

Posted by Musa Afridi on Dec 23 2011. Filed under Opinion, Pakistan. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry