There is a need to undertake revolutionary measures to get rid of raging crises like terrorism, economic meltdown, deteriorating law and order, price hike, and energy shortage etc. Rather than banking on the foreign donor agencies, we need to formulate home-grown policies to set the economic direction of the country right in order to fetch investment and enable economy to stand on its feet. The oft-tested recipe of having bailout loans will not stand us in good stead in the long run as the masses would have to bear the cost of these loans.

Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri, the chairman of Pakistan Awami Tehreek, expressed these views while talking to Faiz-ur-Rehman Durrani, president PAT from Canada on telephone yesterday. He said transfer of resources abroad and brain drain at such a massive level were the issues of serious concern, needing well thought out and proactive policies to stem the trend. He said there was a need to undertake much needed policy reform to identify the real problems underlying our economy and suggest steps for reversal of ongoing meltdown. He said the ruling elite should shun its elitist living styles and lead from the front by adopting austerity.