As election approaches the debate about the performance of the federal and provincial governments is intensifying in print and electronic media. The situation in Balochistan and relatively in the KPK is different from Sindh and Punjab because of insurgency in Balochistan and more intense incidents of terrorism in the KPK.

Thus the focus of comparative debate would be Sindh and Punjab. Many unprecedented things have taken place. For the first time, superior judiciary and now Election Commission have played and are playing their true constitutional role (although independence and active role of the SC and the EC has failed to make any dent in status quo).

Therefore those who have seen the traditional role of these institutions functioning as lackeys and endorsing the illegal actions of rulers for decades are now raising the hue and cry that the SC and the EC are overstepping their preview. The most vocal against the present independent SC and EC are ruling elite who see their past unchallenging sole authority diluted. And the gullible masses are cheated by clever and eloquent political elite that the activism of judiciary and EC is real cause of people's sufferings. Similarly, PML-N has, for the first time, tried its best to provide good governance and eradicate corruption to prove itself a viable alternative to its rival PPP and newly emerging third force, PTIC.

Therefore PML-N government is under attack from its political rivals and section of media as the Punjab government for the first time has worked under constitution and relatively transparently. I cannot say that PML-N is ideal party or it has no weaknesses. The most drawbacks of PML-N are that its top leadership comprises business family and is dominated by dynastic political culture. Moreover its alleged tilt towards religious extremist elements is a major cause of concern for those who desire a bold leadership at the top which guarantees' protection of religious minorities and is ready to fight the cancer of sectarian related violence and religiously motivated terrorism.

But here we are concerned to find a silver lining to find best out of worst. As a party PMLN has proved with its actions that it has learnt lessons very well from past mistakes. The overall achievements of the PML-N as a national mainstream party include; not destabilizing PPP coalition government despite immense pressure from the party and media. Other major achievement of PML-N was to remain steadfast in restoration of the Judiciary (which after restoration has proved a strong bulwark against undemocratic forces).

Punjab government launched and completed mega development projects. Although almost all development schemes of Punjab government came under severe criticism but it has become fashion in Pakistan to oppose everything.

However, despite the all efforts of the PPP, and a gang of anti-PML-N columnists and TV anchors, not a single big case or scandal of corruption against the CM has been unearthed. The PML-N has removed its MPAs when found guilty of wrongdoings whereas top leadership of the PPP, officially, supported and promoted those ministers with substantial allegation of misusing funds and their authorities. The reputed international watchdog Immensity International has given the Punjab Government good marks on transparency and good governance.

During my recent visit to Lahore, I saw visible development and residents of Lahore and even those friends from other parts of Punjab praised Shahbaz Sharif for his hard work and development programs. However at the same time my friends were critical of the Punjab government for spending huge amounts in Lahore and neglecting other parts especially southern Punjab.

The human rights activists from Punjab expressed some concern as are being debated in media that Punjab government is doing little for protecting the minorities. But they also added that despite all these draw backs PMLN will not only sweep Punjab but also would be able to form government in center.
Punjab government through its actions has achieved another millstone of dissipating on great extent rivalry between Sindh and Punjab. Nationalist from Sindh always blamed and some still blame Punjab rightly or wrongly that Punjab dominated center from very inception of Pakistan is exploiting Sindh by usurping its financial and natural resources as Sindh contributes 70 per cent of resources to the national kitty but it gets back pittance of more or less 20 to 26 percent share.

The major bone of contention between Sindh and Punjab has remained water distribution which former alleges that latter takes more than its due share and the talk of Kala Bagh Dam is red rag to every Sindhi nationalists who takes KBD as conspiracy to convert Sindh into virtual desert.

PML-N as a first step of mitigating the bitterness gave up its considerable financial share for Sindh under the NFC and despite the best efforts of the PPP to put the PML-N between devil and deep sea (PPP spokespersons insisted that the PML-N should come clear either it supports or opposes KBD in attempt to either damage its vote bank in Punjab or wipe its thin support base in Sindh ) stuck to its stand that the KBD would not be undertaken unless reservation of Sindh and KP are removed. In addition now those TV anchors and writers from Sindhi TV channels and newspapers who used to erupt into anger even on the mention of the name of PML-N and used to allege that there is the same or even more corruption in Punjab and no development has taken place in Punjab, are now giving example of good governance and development during Shabaz Sharif term in Punjab.

All this and joining of some heavyweights from Sindh to PML-N like Mumtaz Bhutto Liaquat Jatoi and Zafar Ali Shah are clear indications that PML-N would not only win majority in Punjab but nibble away considerable seats from Sindh too. Expect Hyderabad, Mirpurkahs roads, the Sindh, government has hardly any mega schemes in Sindh to claim the credit for.

The roads and highway in Sindh's length and breadth are in pathetic conditions. The critics alleged that the PPP lead the coalition government in Sindh has introduced ghost schemes where schemes were shown on papers and budgets were eaten away but on ground no work took place and even budgets were re-allocated for such paper schemes for several times.
Majority of PPP Ministers, MPAs and officeholders from provincial level to district and Tehsil level has become billionaires, most of whom were paupers before 2008. Although, through jobs, BISP, Watan Card, Pakistan Card and Youth programs a good number of the people has got some financial relief but majority of the poor voters and sincere workers have been sidelined and neglected.

The PPP's strategy to prepare for upcoming election is to appease and enrich big landlords. In Dadu district big landlords and heads of castes were rewarded with lucrative jobs and big contracts and encroachment of the government land etc. The time has changed but the PPP, particularly in interior Sindh, has failed to synchronize its strategies to changing times.
Apart from PML-N/s intrusion in the traditional constituencies of Sindh--the gravest setback for PPP would be the loss of its solid vote bank of the poor masses and support of its workers at grassroots level.

The workers who used to mobilize voters would sit saliently if not vote against PPP. The big or small feudal lords who have been enriched on the expense of the PPP's sincere workers would find no vibes of conscience in joining the anti-PPPP bandwagon after realizing that ship of PPP is sinking i.e. thin prospects of PPP wining.


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