Sohail Warraich’s column “Talaash-e-Gumshuda” (Search for the Missing) was published in today’s Jang newspaper.
Starting his column with a verse by Bulleh Shah, Sohail Warraich writes that Pakistan’s most valuable asset — “Faisla Bhai” — seems to have gone missing.
No one knows whether Faisla Bhai has been kidnapped, taken away by force, or has vanished into a state of spiritual absence, like Jalaluddin Rumi’s teacher, Fariduddin Attar.
On the surface, everything appears to be running normally — people are eating, drinking, enjoying life; the opposition has lost in the political arena, and no major political threat is visible. The head of the house is present, and his deputy keeps a sharp eye on everything, everywhere. Trees are green, music is playing in the air. And yet, something feels missing — a void, a subtle emptiness.
Whenever the government makes a decision — right or wrong, correct or incorrect — it becomes a burden.
Despite having an experienced federal cabinet, in the same season of the same year, the government first allowed the export of sugar, claiming there was a surplus. Then, the same cabinet decided to import sugar to avoid any shortage. This complete incompetence is solely due to Faisla Bhai’s absence. Otherwise, how could the government make two contradictory decisions in the same season?
If Faisla Bhai were among us, would agriculture be in this state? Would cotton production be low? Despite initiatives like the Green Initiative and agricultural subsidies, instead of progress, every sector of agriculture has seen decline. Farmers cannot find buyers for their wheat, even though the owner (Sain) wanted agriculture to flourish and produce good crops — but the opposite happened.
We were told that a flood of foreign investment was coming. But the budget tells a completely different story. Not only did foreign investors stay away, but local investors also pulled back. Production rates are disappointing. How can this happen with such an intelligent and experienced Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister? There is only one possible reason: Faisla Bhai’s absence. Otherwise, how could such disappointing results occur despite such competence and experience?
The government genuinely wanted to increase taxes. After considerable effort, taxes were raised. The plan was to expand the tax base by including traders and new sectors. But recent data shows that the base has not broadened — instead, all pressure has been placed on salaried individuals already under a heavy burden. Here too, there are powerful and influential officers — yet Faisla Bhai’s absence is ruining the entire system.
The federal government is being run as the most experienced cabinet in history. No one in the country can match the Prime Minister’s experience. They possess excellent administrative skills. Their six trained personal staff officers work shoulder to shoulder with them in the cabinet. Who could be more trustworthy than personal staff officers? They can understand a simple raise of an eyebrow. Even the Prime Minister’s family does not appreciate their abilities as much as these officers do. And yet, despite this “star-studded” cabinet, decisions are not being made.
The reason is clear: Faisla Bhai is missing. Perhaps, after placing an advertisement for this “missing person,” someone will find him — and the affairs of the garden will bloom again.