To combat the prevailing crisis, what we need is leadership! 

October 22, 2008

Shamas-ur-Rehman Toor

The whole world is going through a major economic turmoil. Even the “G8” have been severely hit by what it seems to be the economic tsunami. Where the contemporary crunch has exposed the flaws in the financial and banking systems, it has also shown that the developed countries are also vulnerable to a crisis that seems to be only getting worse. Bail-out plans in America, Europe and some parts of Asia are being counted upon for some repair to the damage that has already been done. That the “game” is bigger than most think is a different topic altogether, the emerging recession has hit the developing and third world countries. The ‘Big’ guys have their “bail out plans” as they can afford to spare money. But how about the government who depend on IMF and the World Bank to prepare their annual budgets? And what about the countries that are facing plethora of other crises and not just economy? Pakistan comes in the last category.

What takes a nation forward and what changes the destiny of countries is primarily its ‘leadership’. When the Americans wanted a change, they looked up to leaders like Lincoln, Kennedy, and Obama. When the British wanted a change, they elected people like Churchill. When the Singaporeans recognized the importance of transformation, they trusted in Lee Kuan Yiew. In simple words, nations who want to transform and lead choose their leaders carefully. A few days ago, Newsweek published an article that was titled as “The Economy: What we need is leadership”. The article emphasized the importance of role that leadership plays in keeping a focus on the problem, aligning the people, and sorting the best solution and implementing it with courage. I was wondering at the fate of my own country, Pakistan, where we hardly enjoy the luxury of good leadership. My straight gut feeling was “no”. I was convinced that we are much less fortunate in terms of getting some good leaders. There is not only a dearth of good leadership; I would rather call it a “leadership crisis”. We have been fairly unfortunate in getting good leaders in the first place. And if we got few, they were crushed in the system and lost in the history.

Leadership is backbone of any system that involves humans. When leaders are stronger, the nation can stand confident and tall. Otherwise it naturally bows down to the ones who are stronger. To take Pakistan out of the current credit crunch, or at least to minimize its effect on a common man, what we need at the moment is true, sensible, ethical, and transformational leadership. But do we have a single leader who understands the gravity of the issues?  Can we trust a single person who can lead us through this time? Can we rely on one man who we think is capable to carve a local “bail-out plan” instead of begging the money and expertise from the IMF and the World Bank? I cannot stop wondering how our leaders will lead us through this economic and socio-political earthquake, rating 8.0 or even more on the Richter scale. Being a patriotic Pakistani, I strongly believe that we will survive (insha’Allah). We have survived the blow of Dhaka-fall. We have survived a number of dictatorships. And we have survived a number of foreign-implanted politicians as our prime ministers. But how many times shall we do nothing and completely rely on the lofty slogans, luck or loans? Shall we again give away our national interest and compromise on our honor? Shall we again rely on aid? Shall we again take loans on high interest rate and let the others decide upon our public policies? Shall we again bow to Uncle Sam and obey the orders silently? Shall we again sell the future of our beloved lands in the hands of those who have ridiculed and devastated it before? What price are we willing to pay to save our country?

I wish those in the leadership positions can finally show the leadership and take this crisis as an opportunity to reunite the nation, awaken the sense of Pakistaniat, and bring everyone together to take the best decisions in the interest of the country. Our nation is indeed intelligent enough to sense the sincerity if someone who has it. With truthfulness, honesty, integrity, and leadership by example, a true leader will get an immense response from the national if he gives a call for sacrifice. We have sacrificed before and are willing to do it again. What is needed is someone who we can trust. Someone who can truly inspire us and lead us to transform the country. Someone who is an epitome of leadership will hear a loud “Yes”; a pseudo-political stuntman will fall on deaf ears. Someone who can listen to everyone and make tough decisions to confront the enemies with courage and honor. Someone who has the conviction to sacrifice himself. Someone who can bring us a hope to live better and prosperous life, a yearning to progress, and a desire to thrive. Someone who can think deep in the present and far into the future. Someone who can tell the truth to a nation that has been bullied by many in the past.

Someone who is willing to lead by example; by cutting the luxuries of the government officials, by reducing the perks of  President, Prime Minister, Chief Ministers, Governors, senators, parliamentarians, secretaries, and all those who spend millions from the tax payers’ money everyday. Someone who can lead a simple life, be able to sit with poor and understand their problems, willing to go to the grassroots to find locally viable solutions. Someone who is prepared to empower the people and delegate the decision making authority to those who are capable. Someone who does not play in the hands of foreign powers but truly accountable to the people of Pakistan. Someone who is skilled enough to thrive on the similarities and parallels across the provinces and not bogged down by their political differences.

Someone who is selfless and has transcendent values; not the one to form another political dynasty to rule this country and fool its people. Someone who has a vision and ability to cascade it down to the whole nation. Someone who can demonstrate the commitment, hard work, vigilance, and diligence. Now, these are not hypothetical or overly idealistic qualities of a leader. Muhammad Ali Jinnah completely fits the above picture that I have drawn for a leader who can be a savior of this nation. And I strongly believe we have visionary individuals at all levels of the society. They only need to take the fear out of their hearts, stand up for the cause of the country, and demonstrate leadership. When each one of feels the responsibility of demonstrating leadership in our respective field, business, and profession, I am sure the day is not far when we will have someone who will revive the spirit of the Quaid and rally the nation behind. Our nation, I believe, has a bright future and a long way to go. What we need is leadership!