Former Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) chairman Shabbar Zaidi has suggested relocating Pakistan’s capital from Islamabad to Lahore, calling for a complete “reset” of the nation’s political and administrative system.
Speaking at the launch of his autobiography “32 Anker Road” in Lahore, Zaidi admitted that he had failed to implement significant reforms at the FBR despite his best efforts. He also proposed banning religious political parties, arguing that Lahore — once known for its liberal, nationalist, and progressive spirit — had gradually lost its intellectual and cultural diversity.
During the event, several speakers praised Zaidi’s honest assessment of Pakistan’s governance and economic challenges. They described his book as a bold reflection of an insider’s view of how institutions have struggled to reform.
Veteran journalist Husain Naqi said democracy in Pakistan was under pressure, while former State Bank governor Shahid Hafeez Kardar criticized the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for worsening Pakistan’s structural economic problems. Kardar added that deep-rooted tax and governance reforms were necessary to revive efficiency in the FBR.
Zaidi’s call to move Pakistan’s capital to Lahore has sparked widespread debate among political and economic circles. Islamabad has served as the nation’s capital since the 1960s, replacing Karachi. Any such relocation would require extensive administrative, financial, and legal changes — making the proposal more symbolic than feasible.
Analysts say Zaidi’s remarks highlight frustration with bureaucratic inefficiency and over-centralization in the federal system. Lahore, being Pakistan’s historical and cultural heart, continues to serve as a hub for academia, business, and politics — making it a natural choice in such discussions.
Zaidi’s proposal may not result in immediate action, but it has reignited a national conversation about governance, decentralization, and the future of Pakistan’s political structure.
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