On 27th April 2017 the PML-N government presented its last budget, for the fiscal year 2018-19. The ideological bankruptcy of Pakistan’s ruling elite was clear in both in the content of the budget, as well as in the politics surrounding it. On the one hand, the government made a great show of some tax cuts to win votes, whilst ensuring heavy taxation through indirect taxes on petroleum and gas, which will increase the cost of transport and electricity. And on the other hand, devoid of any ideological alternative, the opposition was confined to denouncing an unelected finance minister presenting a full year budget when his government has only a month left. Both the ruling and current opposition can never end Pakistan’s economic misery as they both are committed to its cause, the capitalist system.
The current capitalist system has ensured that a huge 28.6 % of gross federal revenues is used for debt servicing. So, Pakistan’s economy is being bled to pay back colonialist financial institutions, whilst being subjected to conditions to prevent it ever rivaling the colonialist powers Under capitalism, Pakistan’s currency has been tied to the dollar, which encourages local producers to focus on exports to earn foreign exchange thus diverting local resources to needs of foreign markets. Resultantly, local needs are now increasingly dependent on hugely expensive foreign imports. Under capitalism, through privatization, private companies are granted ownership of capital intensive industries, such as large scale construction and heavy industry, as well as energy and mineral resources. So, the state treasury is deprived of immense resources that could be spent on looking after the affairs of the people. Moreover, there are colonialist companies that now have ownership of key resources and assets of Pakistan, which is a danger in itself. In addition, the federal nature of the current system adds to Pakistan’s economic problems. It is reminiscent of the British Raj, where centers of political power are privileged, whilst other areas are deprived. Provincial funding is constantly a source of squabbling between political parties in the provinces and the ruling party in the center. So, the Muslims of southern Punjab are deprived of the better standards in northern Punjab, the heartlands of the ruling PML-N. The Muslims of Sindh are deprived of clean water, sanitation and electricity. The vast majority of Muslims of Baluchistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are deprived of decent education, healthcare and employment opportunities, with their provincial capitals only in a marginally better state.
O Muslims of Pakistan!
There is no hope in the current system or any budget within it. It is a man-made system that allows the colonialists to deny our actual potential. We must instead turn to our Deen to ensure our prosperity and the good pleasure of Allah (swt). It is our Deen that has a unique economic viewpoint which ensures maximum revenue for the state without overburdening the citizenry. Islam uniquely divides property in to private, state and public property. Energy resources like oil, gas and electricity are considered public property. Public property can neither be privatized nor nationalized. So, its immense revenues must be spent on the people’s affairs, under close supervision of the state. Islam’s ruling on company structures limits the financial ability of private companies to dominate capital intensive sectors of the economy, such as large scale transport and construction. So, the state naturally plays a dominate role in these sectors, granting substantial revenues for the state treasury. Islam has mandated that currency is backed by gold and silver, which have their own intrinsic value, providing stability to international trade and stabilizing domestic prices. Islam mandates a unified, central structure of the state where the authority over all regions rests with the Khalifah (Caliphate), through his Walis and Amils. Allocation of resources is determined after consultation with the Council of the Ummah and the regional Councils of the Wilayah to ensure appropriate allocation according to the needs of the masses. Squabbling and political infighting are avoided as the councils are advisory bodies, with execution reserved to the Khaleefah.
O Muslims of Pakistan!
Let us reject the failed capitalist system which has produced yet another budget that will only add to our miseries. Let us be clear that whosoever enters the current system after elections, will be tasked by the colonialists with making more holes in the sinking ship of Pakistan’s economy, becoming the object of our anger within months of coming to rule. Let us not be stung again and work earnestly with Hizb ut Tahrir for the re-establishment of our Deen through the Khilafah on the Method of the Prophethood. Through its strict adherence to Islam, it is the Khilafah which has a demonstrated record of excellent economic supervision of Muslim lands for centuries. So let us all turn our backs on man-made law and strive for the return of ruling according to all that Allah (swt) has revealed.
أَلاَ يَعْلَمُ مَنْ خَلَقَ وَهُوَ اللَّطِيفُ الْخَبِيرُ
“Should not He Who has created know? And He is the Most Kind and Courteous (to His slaves), the Well-Acquainted (with everything).”
(Surah al-Mulk 67:14)
Media Office of Hizb ut Tahrir in Wilayah Pakistan
Saturday, 12th Sha’ban 1439 AH
28/04/2018 CE
No: PR18030