March 26, 2013

The task ahead of Caretaker Prime Minister Justice (retd) Mir Hazar Khan Khoso is historic. The 84-year old former chief justice of the Balochistan High Court, and the Federal Shariat Court has not only to accomplish the transition of democracy taking it to the next phase but also make some vital decisions to mitigate the sufferings of people in their daily life. Khoso is the first caretaker prime minister from the most underdeveloped province. The only elected prime minister from this province before him was Mir Zafruallah Khan Jamali who came from the same district - Jafarabad. Khoso, nominated by the ruling Pakistan People's Party, was selected on Sunday by the Election Commission of Pakistan by a majority vote. Four of the five members of the ECP supported him for the office while Justice Riaz Kiyani from Punjab favoured the PML-N nominee Justice Nasir Aslam Zahid. President Asif Ali Zardari administered oath to Justice Khoso as caretaker prime minister on Monday. The oath taking ceremony was attended among others by former prime minister Raja Pervez Ashraf, speaker of National Assembly Dr Fehmida Mirza, other former ministers and high ranking officials of the armed forces of Pakistan. Khoso's appointment has been hailed across the country and the opposition parties are among them. The only exceptions were the Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaaf and the Jammat-i-Islami which said they had some "reservations" about him. In fact these fears in themselves are not directed to Justice Khoso but the so-called apprehension on holding fair and free elections in the presence of President Zardari seemed apprehensive.

During his first exposure to media on Sunday after being selected, Justice Khoso rejected a perception that the caretaker set-up was going to stay for more than the stipulated period and asserted that elections would be held on time. Holding fair and transparent elections was his top priority, he said adding, his cabinet would comprise only 10 to 12 members which could include politicians. He observed that elections were the only solution to problems faced by the country and said he would soon meet all political leaders. About the law and order situation, he said it was the responsibility of the provinces and consultations would be held with them on the issue.

Justice Khoso would become part of the bright side of history if he succeeds in accomplishing the momentous job of consolidating the country's democratic order and there seems no hindrance in his way to rise to the occasion. Not only the country's political governments at federal aned provincial levels successfully completed their five-year terms for the first time but also ensured that all other related matters are executed within the ambit of the constitution. Even if political parties came into conflict on the question of the appointment of the caretaker prime minister, this issue was also ultimately resolved within the confines of the basic law. And this is the beauty of democracy and constitutional scheme of things.

The leadership has yet to resolve the question of nominating a caretaker chief minister for Punjab and one hopes the issue will also be settled within the confines of the relevant procedure. The PPP and ruling PML-N could, however, not reach a consensus even on Monday. The PML-N had suggested the names of Justice Aamer Raza (retired) and former bureaucrat Khawaja Zaheer Ahmed while the opposition PPP wanted to see either Justice Zahid Husain (retired) or journalist Najam Sethi for the post.

Nothing bars a caretaker administration to take decisions on matter of vital importance left unresolved by the elected government. One of them, and the most important of such issues, is the increasing hours of power load shedding that has already taken a heavy toll of national life. The critical issue may not have been settled by the outgoing government for political reasons. But Justice Khoso's administration has no such qualms. It can substantially overcome the crisis by cutting down on system and line losses. These losses lead to the wastage of power up to a huge 35 per cent while the overall shortfall is one-third of power generated. What the authority will need to do is to give tasks to its transmission and supply companies to gear up to minimize losses. This task can be executed without spending even a single penny. But given the fact that corruption has permeated in power supply companies in addition to power thefts by consumers and a host of other irregularities, it may become an intricate assignment in the end. But this must be kept in mind and matching steps taken because this is the only short-term solution available.

http://www.thefrontierpost.com/category/9/