One of the most noticeable features of Pakistani public debate is the tendency to ask the wrong questions. “Who should be the finance minister?” is the incorrect question. It makes little difference who becomes finance minister. Whoever eventually becomes the finance minister is virtually always the incorrect choice. This isn’t because Pakistan is exceptional or unique. This is because we are asking the incorrect question.
The correct question is, “What is the finance minister’s job?” with the question “What is required for the finance minister to be successful?”
In today’s piece, I hope to provide solutions to these two queries.
The finance minister’s role is to control and lead the economy. When put in this context, it appears straightforward. Indeed, it is one of the most difficult.The finance minister must guide on both internal and external fronts, while also ensuring that public policy regarding the economy (which affects practically every element of governance) is largely consistent. Let us examine each of the three parts of the work separately: internal economic functions, external economic functions, and policy coherence.
