Last week, The Indus Entrepreneurship [TIE] Conference was held in Lahore, aiming to bring together “a mix of leading local and international entrepreneurs, investors and business leaders” to explore the role of entrepreneurship as a change agent. The News’ Mosharraf Zaidi, who wrote about the conference, noted, “Without a generation of innovators and entrepreneurs, job creation in Pakistan will stay dormant, while our population and its appetite for consumption goes through the roof.” Elmira Bayrasli, a writer working on development issues, recently returned from a trip to Pakistan where she explored similar issues, noting in a piece for Portfolio.com that Pakistani entrepreneurs are driven mainly by a desire “to pull Pakistan out of its political and economic abyss.” Below, she delves further into this topic [which first appeared on her blog, Wonderment Woman, as part of a five-part postcard on Pakistan]:
Not far from the banner, there also hung a framed black and white photo of a gaunt man in a dark textured and triangular hat, similar to the one that Afghan President Hamid Karzai sports. It was Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the revered founder of Pakistan – the land of the pure. Jinnah established the republic in 1947, after gaining independence from the British and breaking from India.
Jinnah reappeared a half hour later when I entered the lobby of the infamous Marriott Islamabad. He was there again the next day when we visited the Institute of Business Administration in Karachi. Jinnah seemed to be everywhere. The only other place I know of where that happens is… Turkey. The image of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the blue-eyed founder of Turkey, is, like Jinnah’s, ubiquitous throughout Anatolia. Both dominate every government office, school entranceway and public space.
Pakistan and Turkey have a lot in common. As predominately Muslim nations, both have struggled with secularism and Islam. Both have had, as a result, numerous military interventions that have overthrown their respective country’s government. As predominately agrarian societies, Pakistan and Turkey have wrestled with developing their respective economies in order to compete on the global marketplace. For a long time, it was a tough fight. Both countries choked under unemployment, debt, run away inflation and rent seekers. Pakistan still does. Turkey has broken from that cycle.
It broke as a result of the economic liberalization reforms enacted by late Prime Minister Turgut Ozal in the 1980s. With less state-control and relaxed trade and banking laws, Turks embraced entrepreneurship. Overnight, they turned Anatolian cities, more commonly known as “Anatolian tigers,” into textile and manufacturing centers and lifted Turkey’s poor into the middle and upper class. Today, Turkey holds a seat at the G20 and the UN Security Council. Despite being continually rejected by Brussels, it has, by the European Commission’s own account, the fastest (and perhaps only) growing economy. It is an example that beleaguered Pakistan can and should replicate. It should do so with Turkey’s guidance.
Rather than a money problem, Pakistan suffers from an investment problem. The money that Pakistanis possess is caged. It’s used to cover day-to-day expenses rather than being used as leverage to create new enterprises and, most importantly, jobs. Turkey has discussed opening banks in Pakistan, increasing trade and encouraging its private sector to seek collaboration on construction, infrastructure, engineering, energy, agriculture, telecom and textile opportunities. That is a good start. But more can be done.
Here are two suggestions:
- From a historical, religious and cultural perspective, Turkish entrepreneurs and investors are ideal role models and mentors for aspiring Pakistanis with start-up ideas. They can help advise on operating in a Muslim society where entrepreneurship has not traditionally been encouraged or possible, where risk has largely been absent and where failure has always been the kiss of death. Both countries could develop an entrepreneurship exchange and mentoring program where Pakistani entrepreneurs spend time working in Turkey and Turkish entrepreneurs in Pakistan.
- Turkish investors could establish, along with their Pakistani counterparts, a fund, with manageable interest rates and transaction fees, for Pakistani entrepreneurs. It is an idea that American venture capitalists would benefit joining as well. This will help unshackle Pakistan’s paralyzed capital that can then provide the leverage to jumpstart enterprise development and job creation.
It is imperative that Pakistan climb out of its current crisis and into prosperity. There are signs it is prepared to do so. The absence of Jinnah’s photo in the sleek and modern offices of the several entrepreneurs Phil, Sara and I met with was the clearest. Pakistan’s younger generation, while deeply patriotic, is not straightjacketed by the past. They know that while Jinnah may have been their country’s founder, they are its keepers. For now, they’re pushing their black and white past aside in order to keep their focus on what could be Pakistan’s abundantly colorful and high-definition future.
The contribution is the sole opinion of the author and does not necessarily represent the opinion of CHUP. If you would like to contribute a piece to CHUP, please email Kalsoom at changinguppakistan[at]gmail[dot]com. Pieces should be no longer than 800 words please. For past contributions, click here.
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fabulously written article! thank you for making the similarities b/w Turkey & Pakistan so explicitly clear – not just wrt how our flag is set up.
I am of the opinion that the vicious cycle that Pakistan is stuck is more vicious than what Turkey was stuck in.
Pakistan has a huge army problem and the army has a big fat India-oriented ego problem. India is not going anywhere and its power is only increasing.
Way out? Beats me.
Anoop
Turkey also had (still does) a big massive Army – in fact they force everyone to join it at some point. Turkey’s arch enemy is Greece and they still quarrel over issues like Kibris/Cyprus.
As a Pakistani i have always felt very much at home in Istanbul and other parts of Turkey it reminds me a lot of Pakistan and also as a possible future for us.
I learnt Turkish (tho not so great now!!) and spent some time there, Turks and Pakistanis really are very similar and Turks are a great role model for us.
Although we have a lot in common with India, modern younger Pakistanis will have just as many and dare i say it, more commonalities with Turkey. One of the biggest is how we deal with religion on a daily basis.
Turkish secularism has always inspired me, i feel strongly that its a model we can adapt. I am preplexed as to why our govt. hasn’t developed even deeper links with Turkey!
Kalsoom excellent economic research, now the ethnic. Problem of
Turkey regional indifference former nations. Of Ottoman Empire fear expansion of Turkey. Economically Turkey Kalsoom is dependent state. You’ll how? Germany and Low Countries literally, assisted Turkey during. Down turn in 80’s and 2000’s. Kurdish is same as Pakistan dominate culture imposing. Nationalism Kalsoom Treaty of Verailles promise. Kurdistan they made deal with France and Britain. To stop this as my former Baloch: Kalsoom. Those in problem whom, corrupt shall relinquish. Nor, admit they cause the stagnation of Pakistan. I favor making Pakistan independent of Arabs. Whom exploit us I laugh expect us. To render are society for limited economic gains. Kalsoom Iran is strong nation only problem? Hate from America reason to steal there petroleum! Pakistan has
to get economic assistance from non Islamic. Nations funny we
immigrate to west but non-Muslims. Move to Ummah: contradiction what saying Kalsoom. We need science united education system. By using grants not from UNESCO or World
Education Org. Arab and Asian nations would assist with. Schools India is case society I detest them! Everytime I see
region of Hyderbad I see Pakistan. It belongs to Pakistan
Kalsoom one model on retain culture. Thailand and Tunisia just
examples; reverting back. Arab decide what Pakistan economically does. Emir of Kuwait shall fund a medical school.
2015 for 10,000 students in central Pakistan. Kalsoom thanks for article Turkey feels there part. Of EU this there economic model
and anti-non Arab attitude regarding Turkey. Salaam Kalsoom!
Before any investment group or nation. Decide Pakistan there awaiting immiedate gains. Unforturnately, Pakistan is
behind the regional influence are enemy. Geographical and
economically whom assistanting Mossad! India everytime,
there chance of development from EU. India media runs hate stories especially the Mumbai hotel. Incident now we
need have merchants to sell. Success Pakistan yes, internal
turmoil as inter. Fighting among sects simply impose martial. Law notice how Iran doesn’t have this? Shia I fear for are survival in Pakistan; Arab states. Hate any other sect Kalsoom you. Sista of the Deen they consider Shatan.
Why they say Allah woman cannot have. Mind set this problem. Attempting to obey Arab customs if so why. They
puppets of UK and America, formerly resided in Jeddah. I saw nothing of signaficant value business wise. There business standards are feudual and serective. And dishonest and this example for Pakistan I’m against. Arabs
building Arabization of Pakistan. Shall it happen yes we shall lose whom? Iran if they sign deal with India as we China! Another problem Iran gas fields could bring billions. To political parties not the majority accurate. Statement when any party …with bemusement for the people. No party why the need for more hospitals. Kalsoom Kuwait,Alergia and Qatar agreed. To build new hospitals
and research 2014 even Finland. And Low Countries looking into medical investments. Yes, there aware since Nawaz in the 90’s so reverts. To what party establish ties:
for myself working. Liberal Bahrain and Kenya same employer! Business elite in these nations support Nawaz and the party. PPP party is resent by the Pakistani nationals! I support only problem anti-capitalist attitude of
some. Education should be fair to unite Pakistan Salaam!