But as Sharif is out of the picture, it is now the responsibility of the military to create long-range plans. Without political stability, it is hard to carry out long-term policies, which are essential to deal with a huge problem such as literacy. Whatever political dispensation occurs in October 2002, it is critical that a stable system be created. Finally, there has been the ongoing problem of chronic underinvestment in education, as there has been in all social services throughout the history of Pakistan. Given its level of income, Pakistan's social indicators should be significantly higher, but human development has been retarded due to bad policies.
All social spending comes from borrowed money.
Musharraf's attempts to broaden the tax base must succeed if the government is to be successful in its development strategies. In addition to investing financial capital in education, the government must invest moral capital. Education must be made a priority. The Chief Executive should constantly be pushing the issue, as should ministers and junior level government leaders. It should be an obvious and consistent national priority, and a compulsory education law should be put on the books.