Politically motivated development: a costly burden?

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Lahore: Development in Pakistan is often operated by political reservations rather than economic stability. Many projects are launched to persuade people, to secure electoral benefits, or ensure long -term stability. As a result, many projects have become a financial responsibility rather than fruitful assets. Despite the billions of costs, these projects make little return on investment, which forcing the state to provide subsidies to continue only.

Many experts say that large -scale transit projects like the Metro Bus and the Orange Line train were introduced primarily to seek the help of urban voters. Although they provide convenience, their operational costs are given a lot of subsidy, which makes them economically unbearable. The Orange Line, in particular, requires massive subsidy, which is artificially lowered to avoid public reaction to ticket prices. In the country that struggles with low tax revenue and financial losses, such projects raise concerns about economic feasibility.

Pakistan Steel Mills, which is once an important industrial project, has faced political interference, mismanagement and lack of modernization. Instead of privatization or reorganization, the other governments continued to guarantee it, which resulted in the loss of billions of rupees before its last shutdown. Similarly, the rental power projects were introduced as an immediate determination for Pakistan’s power shortage, it was planned due to high cost and corruption.

These projects failed to provide sustainable energy solutions and instead caused widespread financial losses to the government. In Islamabad, the airport initially planned with a budget of Rs 37 billion, due to delays and incompetence, the cost of cost more than Rs 100 billion. When it finally opened, inadequate infrastructure resulted in severe operational problems. Similarly, the Sapphire Gelm Hydropower Project, which is estimated at $ 1.5 billion, is costing more than $ 5 billion due to mismanagement and delay. Although it generates electricity, the high cost of power generation and loan service has made it a more economic burden than the asset.

Pakistan is not the only country where there are political encouragement plans, but in countries like Malaysia, economic surveillance allows for faster reform. In the neighboring country, politically -run projects such as Farm Lone Valot have pressured state financial issues without resolving basic agricultural issues. The $ 400 million sculpture of the coalition, attracting tourists, has been criticized as a political symbol rather than an economically beneficial investment. Similarly, critics on the Mumbai Ahmedabad Built train have questioned that it should be more priority to upgrade India’s current Railway Infrastructure. In Malaysia, the Chinese -backed Forest City real estate project, which aims to promote the economy, has failed to attract foreign buyers and is largely uncomfortable. Meanwhile, the government protected its national automotive company proton, despite the failure, for decades, taxpayers need constant help.

Political -driven development projects often lead to financial tensions rather than economic growth. Although other countries have mechanisms for reviewing and reorganizing such projects, our weak institutions have a long -term financial burden as a result of excessive monitoring and excessive political interference. Unless the leading principle for economic feasibility development becomes, we will continue to struggle with non -productive investment that eliminates national resources.