Raza Khan


With the completion of the five-year tenure of the national and provincial assemblies, the countdown to national elections in Pakistan has started, although apart the from other hurdles, adverse security and the law and order situation in different parts of the country raises serious questions on holding free and fair polls.

The completion of their respective tenures by the outgoing national and regional parliaments is a historic political development in Pakistan. Unfortunately, the ugly side of the situation is that five years of uninterrupted rule by elected governments could not bring political stability to the country. Consequently, holding of next elections has become a daunting task for the caretaker governments at the centre and provinces.

At the moment the objective security conditions in Balochistan, Karachi, parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and the entire Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) are worse, making holding elections extremely difficult. Independent quarters fear that if elections do take place in these regions they would not be fair. This does not mean that caretaker governments should put off elections in these regions and provinces as this would wreak havoc. In other words, the situation might be bad, still the only way forward is holding elections in these areas. Because the remedy for failure of democracy is more democracy rather than dictatorship.

As far as Balochistan is concerned, a full-fledged separatist insurgency is going on in the province, but the insurgents are not strong enough to dictate terms to the government. However, they have a huge potential in bringing routine life to a shuddering halt. In fact, the insurgents have already brought the routine life to a halt in many parts of the province. But apart from the former, the government authorities are also responsible for such a situation. Because in response to the insurgents, the state agencies have gone many extra miles; resultantly, the apparatus has become excessively repressive.
This has infused unnecessary fear among the people there while it has facilitated the militants to carry on with their agenda and distance the people from the state. In this atmosphere holding of elections, if not impossible, is at the same time not easy either. However, as polls must be held anyway, therefore, the caretaker government in the province will have to take extremely effective steps to make voting possible. In this regard the foremost measure which needs to be adopted is to bring to an end every kind of military and paramilitary operations against the insurgents. The 60 days time available to the caretaker interregnum should be fully utilized to build the confidence of the people in Balochistan in the state and the system. This is the only way to convince a satisfactory number of voters in the province to come out and vote on the polling day. In this process the role of the political parties would be critical so the caretaker government ought to engage with the political forces of Balochistan. At the moment of the Baloch nationalist parties of the province Jamhori Watan Party (JWP), National Party (NP) and to a certain extent Balochistan National Party (BNP) seems to be willing to take part in the polls. The half-hearted willingness of the BNP, the largest and the hardliner of the nationalist political parties is the glimmer of hope for the meaningfulness of the elections in Balochistan. The BNP along with other parties of the now defunct All Parties Democratic Alliance (APDM) including the mainstream Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) had boycotted the 2008 elections. If BNP decides to take part in elections it would facilitate the work of caretaker government to convince people to vote in large numbers.
Moreover, this decision of the BNP would also improve the law and order situation in the province. At the same time to convince the people the caretaker government in Balochistan must take the civil society and the media on board. Because the civil society particularly non-governmental organizations and above all media can play an instrumental role in highlighting the significance of the process of elections. However, for the efforts of the caretaker government to be effective in this regard it must tell the people that through elections they can even express their no-confidence on the policies of the state by voting for such parties which have been critical of state policies instead of shunning voting.

The situation in FATA is also not conducive for holding elections. Although President Asif Ali Zardari extended the Political Parties Act to the tribal areas last year which has legalized the activities of political parties in the FATA but there are huge challenges to the political forces to carry out electioneering in the region for fear of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Only the Jamiat-e-Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), which has deep sympathies for the TTP and the PTI have some liberty to openly hold election meetings in the FATA. Thus the actual contest would be between these two parties apart from independent candidates in the next elections. As no caretaker set-up has to be put in place in FATA like in provinces therefore, the political administration of the respective tribal agencies has huge responsibility to hold elections possible. At the moment apart from North Waziristan and Orakzai, voting is possible in the rest of the five tribal agencies including Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Orakzai, Kurram and South Waziristan. Although given the situation the turnout would be extremely low. The administration there has to ensure that people come out in significant numbers to vote. Given the large-scale pro-Pakistan sentiments among the residents of the FATA one hope they would realize their national responsibility and come out to vote. For them electing new leadership is also very important to lead the way and the process of deciding the future political and administrative structure of FATA as the movement to make the region a separate province has gathered momentum there.

The security situation in Karachi is adverse but it is basically the problem of target killing of political workers and members of Shiite community and not large-scale terrorism in the shape of bombing which is of concern.
Nevertheless, unless there are some other huge attacks like the Abbas town incident, one hope elections are very much possible in the city. Albeit the atmosphere of fear among the dwellers of the metropolis would prevail. So the task of the caretaker government would be to at least control the situation from further worsening. If the government is able to do that Karachites are expected to take part in voting in large numbers. Keeping in view the past, the caretaker set-up of the province would have to prevent the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, the PPP and the ANP activists from highjacking the polls in their respective strongholds. After the elimination of a huge number of bogus votes and with no General Musharraf on its backing this time the MQM would not be able to dictate terms to Karachites during elections. Therefore, for Karachites it would be a rare opportunity to vote without any fear but it would depend how they overcome their internalized fear.

The general security situation in the KP is more than satisfactory and Swat is fully in control of the state and its agencies. There may be some problems in suburbs of Peshawar adjoining the Khyber Agency and parts of Dir and Kohistan districts but overall the situation is quite favourable for holding polls. However, the caretaker government has to improve upon the existing conditions so that to make possible the participation of at least half of the voters in the elections process.

Thus the situation in the above mentioned regions and provinces may not be satisfactory for polling and people participation in the process, but the caretaker governments could do a lot to make possible the voting and to convince as many people as possible to exercise their right of franchise. So successful elections depend on the best of efforts of the caretaker governments as well as the Election Commission of Pakistan.

http://www.weeklycuttingedge.com/national01.htm

Nasim Ahmed

Back in the seventies, the slogan of 'roti, kapra aur makan' proved such a catchy vote-getter that it not only catapulted the PPP to the pinnacle of power but it has kept the hope of better days burning in the hearts of the common man ever since despite the party's poor performance in office more than once.

Keeping up the tradition, Pakistan People's Party Parliamentarians (PPPP) on March 14 unveiled its election manifesto, once again promising to provide bread, clothing and housing to the poor. The manifesto also promises a minimum wage of Rs. 18‚000 per month by the year 2018, and representation of the labour class in parliament. President PPPP Makhdoom Amin Fahim presented the manifesto at a news conference which was also symbolically attended by former Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani.

This time the PPP has come up with a new theme which expands on the original slogan to make it more comprehensive. The new slogan is "Roti, Kapra Aur Makan, Ilm, Sehat, Sab Ko Kam, Dehshat Sai Mehfooz Awam, Ooncha Ho Jamhoor Ka Naam."
It means bread, clothing and housing, education, healthcare, employment for all, protection of masses from terrorism and primacy to democracy.

Explaining various points of the manifesto, Amin Fahim said: "In our manifesto, we propose seven core priorities that will protect and empower the people of Pakistan and we will initiate key programmes in the first 100 days at the federal and provincial levels to implement these core priorities." The core priorities, according to him are: meeting the basic needs of the people, employment for all, equitable and inclusive growth, infrastructure for the future, a new social contract, protection of people and the country's engagement with the world.

The manifesto, as usual, contains pledges and promises galore. Among other things, it envisages the creation of a new province in South Punjab through necessary constitutional measures. Under the new NFC Award‚ Sindh will get a special grant for Karachi which is the mega port and economic hub of the country. This is clearly meant to assuage the feelings of the MQM which recently walked out of the coalition government in Sindh in protest against the annulment of the local bodies law.

Reinforcing its claim of being the party of the poor, the manifesto pledges to meet the basic needs of the socially and economically disadvantaged people. PPP's record, though, shows that whenever it has wielded power, its policies have made life more miserable for the general people, while bestowing some special benefits on the party workers. As per constitutional requirements‚ the manifesto promises universal primary enrolment by 2018 and 10‚000 higher education and technical vocation scholarships for FATA and Balochistan. As for the housing part of the famous slogan, there will be a renewed focus on housing and the poor will be given priority in the low cost housing schemes to be launched through the public-private partnership. Incidentally, the same promise has been made by the PML-N in its election manifesto.

The PPP manifesto also pledges empowerment of all citizens, especially women‚ minorities and the dispossessed. Labour representatives will get four seats in the National Assembly and two in each provincial assembly through legislation. The National Commission on Minorities will be given statutory status and religious properties would be given full protection. In accordance with the Charter of Democracy (CoD) and to strengthen the federation, a constitutional court will be established with equal representation from all the federating units and the inclusion of other areas administered by the state.
Rampant unemployment, coupled with a rapidly declining economy, has been the bane of the PPP government during its five-year tenure. Keeping this factor in view the party proposes to launch a youth employment initiative called 'People's Employment Programme'. Under this programme special schemes will be made to engage the educated youth in gainful employment.
In the agricultural sector the farmers will be supported by charging a flat rate for electricity for tube-wells and providing cheaper inputs. Special Economic Zones would be established to promote industrialization and create job opportunities. The tax net would be widened and the tax-to-GDP ratio would be increased to 15 per cent by 2018. Incidentally, the government signally failed to achieve these targets in the last five years.

The energy crisis is a sensitive issue for the PPP. In view of its poor showing in the sector in the last five years, the manifesto pledges an addition of 12‚000 MW of power by way of hydel‚ coal‚ gas and renewable energy by the end of the next term of the government. But it does not make it clear from where the necessary resources would come to generate the additional amount of electricity.

Matching the PML-N manifesto's pledge to make the parliamentary scrutiny and approval of the defence budget compulsory, the PPP has also proposed to make the military budget accountable to the National Assembly and institutionalize a better oversight of defense expenditure.

The PPP manifesto is silent on many fundamental issues. For instance, it does not say anything about how the economy, which suffered serious setbacks in the last 5 years, will be turned around or how inflation and prices will be contained to bring relief to the common man who has been a victim of the double whammy of price inflation and rising shortages. It is also silent about how to reduce the mountain of domestic and foreign debt which constitutes a crushing burden for the economy.

The PPP knows that in view of the dismal performance of its government in the last five years, very few people will take its election promises seriously. That is the reason why the manifesto is not only lackluster both in content and presentation but it also avoids setting specific targets for achievement in various sectors. The PPP promised more than 50 years ago that it would provide roti, kapra aur makan to the people. On the basis of this slogan the common people of Pakistan voted it to power four times. But the promise was never fulfilled. Each time the party assumed office it left the economy in a worse shape. On top of it all, corruption has been the defining feature of all PPP regimes. Its latest stint in power has proved to be the worst of all. While the party stalwarts have got richer, and some crumbs have been thrown the way of the lowly hardcore party loyalists, the common people have suffered miserably from high prices, energy shortages and shrinking job opportunities. In the face of these hard realities, there will be few takers in the country for its manifesto promises.

http://www.weeklycuttingedge.com/national02.htm

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/

March 26, 2013

After unceremonious exit from the presidency and subsequent self-imposed exile for four years, former President of Pakistan, General (retd) Pervez Musharraf set foot on his motherland on Sunday to kick start his political career in the country that he ruled for almost eleven years single handedly. The military ruler, who once enjoyed supreme powers in the country, tasted his first defeat in a political battle when he was pitched against a civil political leadership in 2008. For four years he lived abroad but extensively traveled across the globe to earn his livelihood from delivering lectures. Because of the military background and geo-political importance of the country in war on terror, he was one of the most sought-after personalities for lectures and TV talk shows. Having massing billion of rupees regardless of the source of income, he thought to stage a comeback to lead his All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) comprising his hand-picked personalities. Contrary to his expectations, just a few hundreds of his countrymen turned up to give the former president a ‘warm welcome’.

The first rude shock he received at his arrival in Karachi was; the local administration, owing to security threat to his life, denied him the No Objection Certificate to address of a gathering at Mazar-e-Quaid. Security forces duly communicated their concern to former president, advising him to refrain from marching on the Karachi roads. Thus the APML chief delivered a short speech to around 13 to 15 hundreds of his party workers therein he eulogized the economic conditions of the country when he was ousted. Former military dictator-turned-politician, though, did not mention of his bad foreign policy on western war on terror that now had torn apart the country.

Taliban that the West was supposed to fight against in Afghanistan had turned their guns to Pakistan. Legacy of the war on terror that Musharraf had left behind has claimed lives of thousands of innocent people; not to mention of injuries and material loss. Retired general though cancelled his rally yet he put up a brave face saying that he was afraid of none but Allah and vowed to save Pakistan but he did not elaborate how he would do it.

Failing to address his rally in Karachi—the former military rulers promised to mass mobilization campaign for the forthcoming elections in every city of the country. He may well do it. But the mass support, if he is looking for, is non-existent. He must not have any delusion. In the absence of the support from the armed forces and the superior judiciary, there is no room for Musharraf to become a populist leader. Only he is out there in search of lost glory which seldom comes back.

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

Posted on March 27, 2013

Balochistan National Party-M chief Sardar Akhtar Mengal who also heads his Mengal tribe did not show any flexibility nor did he show interest in the democratic process which was unfolding in a big way in view of the next parliamentary elections. What he did on arrival at Karachi on Monday was the reiteration of his six-point formula that he unveiled as panacea for all the ills of the volatile Balochistan province in the Supreme Court during his last visit to the homeland. However, he says those points were rejected in a way that could be described as thrown "in our face". As for his six-point formula, he had demanded that all covert and overt military operations against Balochs should be suspended; all missing persons should be produced before courts; all proxy death squads should be disbanded; Baloch political parties should be allowed to function and resume their political activities without interference from intelligence agencies; persons responsible for inhuman torture, killing and dumping of bodies of Baloch political leaders and activists should be brought to justice and measures taken for the rehabilitation of thousands of displaced Baloch people living in an appalling condition.

Although, Akhtar Mengal desires to be part of the electoral process as he knows that he can hold sway over divided political forces of the province; yet he will simply not take this a public stance because of the pressure from the forces who are riding high upon the American and Indian scheme for our biggest, area wise, but sparsely populated province which is rich in natural resources.

In a way Akhtar Mengal is hostage to the whims of these forces. This was why he was all praise for the militants who had announced a boycott of the coming elections. Still he has called a meeting of his party to take a formal decision. The outcome of this party meeting is not difficult to predict.
If Mengal does not know of what prices a nation has to pay for living on insinuations of foreign powers, he must now understand that the foreign powers wanting him to pull down the sky, they would throw him and the likes of him to wolves once their agenda is executed. No nation has survived on others' muscle power; the only way to walk with head high is the strength from within. The forces now patronizing him have their eyes fixed on the province's resources and, above all, the port at Gwadar that is the corridor to the land-locked Central Asia which promises huge windfalls once the port goes into full operation mode.

Nevertheless, no-one can deny how step-motherly Balochistan has been treated in the past. This is also a hard fact that military regimes in particular have wronged the people living there. But this does not mean that the province should be seceded for the aliens to benefit from. The solution must be seen within the constitutional scheme; the BNP must be part of the electoral process and get itself in the position to fight for the rights of the people of the province.

http://www.thefrontierpost.com/article/213902/

March 26, 2013
Iftikhar Ahmad Yaqubi

The Parliament which had been elected in 2008 managed to complete its term of five years despite hazards and challenges. Actually Parliament as an institution is meant to represent will of the people and implement it after its sifting through discussions and debates for the purpose of arriving at a consensus so for as possible.

As a representative institution it is not meant to complete its constitutional term at any cost because circumstances may arise which render it unrepresentative of the will of the people due to emergence of a wide gap in views of the majority of members of the Parliament and aspirations of the majority of the people in the state. In such circumstances the continuity of the Parliament and letting it complete its term is considered undemocratic and the constitution provides for its dissolution before completion of its term. So completion of term by a Parliament is not a universal principle of democracy to be observed in all circumstances. What has gained universality is the principle that it should guide and represent the will of the people. Our rejoicing at the completion of term by our previous Parliament is not due to the fact that throughout its term it fulfilled its sacred duty of representing will of the people and giving it supremacy within the system of checks and balances provided by the constitution. Rather our sense of celebration is due to the fact that that a Parliament completed its term in our parliamentary history which is full of instances of the assemblies having been prematurely dissolved. Heads of State, who under a parliamentary dispensation are supposed to uphold the constitution and act according to the advice tendered by the prime minister or cabinet and not according to his own discretion, Ghulam Mohammad, Sikander Mirza, Zia-ul-Haq, Ghulam Ishaq Khan and Farooq Leghari, with the support and connivance of civil and military bureaucracy and acquiescence of the then pliable judiciary, dissolved assemblies before completion of their term at their own discretion. They even tempered with the parliamentary process and interfered unduly in the affairs of running government which in the parliamentary system is supposed to be the duty of the prime minister and cabinet that are responsible to popularly elected assembly. This time our national and provincial assemblies completed their term which is a rare phenomenon in political history of Pakistan.

There is no doubt that this time our political system witnessed some maturity and sagacity on the part of our politicians whose shortsightedness and misdeeds in the past had been a potent factor in encouraging Heads of State to make a mockery of parliamentary democracy in connivance of civil and military bureaucracy who acted as real managers of the State in a dispensation which was outwardly democratic. For example in the 1990s our political system had been plagued by the mutual bickering and rivalries between Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif who had crossed all limits in dislodging each other from power and in undermining each the support base of the other. This did irreparable loss to the cause of democracy in Pakistan. This time our politicians, especially Nawaz Sharif, acted in a more responsible manner and did not try to create problems for the central government which he knew would benefit the unseen hands who have always tried to control the destiny of Pakistan. But apart from this factor, there was another and more powerful factor which acted as a catalyst in ensuring continuity of the system and letting the assemblies complete their term. It was the role of Asif Ali Zardari as President of Pakistan and as Co-Chairperson of the ruling PPP. He had his personal and political stakes in continuity of the system which had been dominated by his party and allies. In past blows on Parliament had always been struck through President by using his constitutional powers and status. So, Asif Ali Zardari after winning the 2008 general elections and having forced the then President Gen Musharraf to resign by threatening him with impeachment in collaboration with Nawaz Sharif, himself conquered the fort of President House. In this way he forestalled the possibility of any strike from the President House on his government and on the assemblies in which his party and its allies were in majority. As Co-Chairperson of the PPP he kept strong control over it and saw to it that no rifts were created by outside forces among its members in the Parliament and that no one challenged his authority in his party rank and file. As a skilful manipulator, he not only kept his allies such as the MQM and ANP along with his government but also succeeded in bringing arch rival of the PPP, the PML Q, to its fold. Thus he protected the Parliament from outside onslaught and the latter stood with him in his battle with powerful institutions such as the judiciary over his alleged cases of corruption. There were little chances for the assemblies to stay over their inner strengths accruing from strict adherence to constitution and laws and responsibility to the people and responsiveness to their aspirations which they were unfortunately lacking.

The Parliament and assemblies elected as a result of the 2002 elections had also completed their term because the then military dictator President Musharraf had political stakes in their continuity majority of whose members supported him against his opposition and some of whom had even vowed to elect him as president in uniform for ten times if needed. So he allowed those assemblies to complete their term and fully protected them from any onslaught from anywhere.

Anyhow, the assemblies completed their term. Although the aims and aspirations of the masses, which elected them, remained unfulfilled, the completion of their term in itself is a good omen for democracy in the country. If allowed un-interrupted, democracy has the potential of curing its own ills. The passage of time and continuity will make our representative institutions and politicians more mature, responsive and responsible.

http://www.thefrontierpost.com/category/10/

March 27, 2013 0

PTI chief Imran Khan has come out four-square in support of the Kalabagh Dam (KBD) on Monday, while addressing an election rally in Mianwali. The project is naturally popular in Mianwali district, where it will be built. As a matter of fact, it is located in the constituency from where Mr Khan was elected in 2003. The wave of support Mr Khan is riding in KPK indicates that Kalabagh gets more support among the voters of that province than they are given credit for. The reason for this support is not hard to find: people in KPK are as tired of loadshedding as any citizen of Pakistan and are as anxious as the rest to gain the protection from the floods that it offers. On top of that, KBD would store water for irrigation, water which now flows into the sea. Apart from the crippling power blackouts, there is also shortage of irrigation water because of India’s theft of water.

Mr Khan has shown the entire nation, as well as the mainstream parties, that he is not afraid to speak about things which others would prefer to keep silent about. Opponents of the KBD do not want it discussed, but would prefer it to be put on the backburner and forgotten. However, as Mr Khan wants to end loadshedding if elected, he cannot afford to ignore the project. It is to be hoped that he has ensured the inclusion of the project in the PTI manifesto. It was a surprise omission from the PML-N manifesto, as well as from the PPP’s, both of which have been made public.

Mr Khan’s statement leads to the more general wish that all parties should come out forthrightly with their stance on the issues that most closely affect the country. There must be clear and detailed statements of what policies the parties would pursue on such issues as the economy, Kashmir, energy shortages, and cooperation with the USA in its war on terror. Even if Mr Khan does not come into power, if his position helps lead to the construction of the Kalabagh Dam, his statement will have served its purpose. It is to be hoped that the major parties will learn from him, and take a clear stand on this issue as well as many others, instead of waffling. The electorate will no longer be taken in by amorphousness.

http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-ne...ons/editorials

March 27, 2013 1

In view of the data submitted by the Islamabad Electricity Supply Company (IESCO), 382 politicians among them, leading Senators and former legislators, could be barred from contesting elections for failing to pay their bills while staying at parliament lodges. In line with its swift but stern handling of such cases, the ECP has promptly circulated the list of these defaulters to its regional offices as well as the returning officers with the orders to reject their nomination papers after a thorough scrutiny. Where this is a highly laudable move, these legislators should be ashamed of themselves all the more so since they were thought to be public representatives. Not only are they guilty of breaking the law, but also stand guilty of doing a great harm to the national exchequer given the cumulative amount. Yet another instance of how they have betrayed public trust.

It is becoming obvious that the ECP’s determination to act independently would not be impinged even where powerful members of the ruling class are concerned.

An unflinching resolve to follow transparency whatever the odds must be kept up. However, at the same time, it is expected that other cheats, like tax defaulters and fake degree holders also are made to undergo the same rigorous checking. Whoever is found to be on the wrong side of the law, the doors of polls should be closed on them.

http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-ne...ons/editorials

March 27, 2013 0

Apparently, PML-N leader Mian Nawaz Sharif’s wish expressed while addressing a mass gathering in Mansehra on Monday to turn the country’s economy into a robust one appears an incredible idea to sell. “The last time we were in power we carried out a nuclear explosion but this time around, we will achieve economic explosion,” he promised to the crowd beset by despair, poverty and inflation. Simply put, as they are not having enough to eat, the prospect of a motorway, airport, and last but not least, fulfilling the longstanding demand of according them the status of a province means a lot. Yet it remains to be seen precisely how and with what means the PML-N would bring about the economic explosion. In the absence of the much needed electricity, the dream of a prosperous Pakistan the party intends converting the country into would be as elusive as ever. When there is virtually no power supply, it would not be possible to resurrect the economy. The shortage could be met by large reservoirs -- including the Kalabagh Dam – which would also generate sizeable chunks of energy. Unfortunately, this indispensable project has for long been blithely ignored by the party.

Definitely Mian Nawaz’s words would strike a sympathetic chord with the people of the area just desperately waiting for a better life. Better still, he ought to come up with a tangible plan to get over one of the most pressing problems at hand.

http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-ne...ons/editorials

Sharif promised ‘economic explosion’ but has he learnt from mistakes?

“Nuclear explosion last time, economic explosion this time,” was the rallying call of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif as he kicked off his election campaign from Mansehra.

The PML-N has concentrated the bulk of its manifesto at being able to produce an economic recovery – no doubt the correct priority – but its own credentials remain in doubt. The fact that the campaign kicked off at a traditional PML-N stronghold meant that a good turnout, with at least 30,000 in attendance, was expected and coming a few days after the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Lahore rally signified the continuing electoral strength of traditional political parties.

Sharif spoke of his party’s inability to implement its programmes after being dismissed by military mid-tenure in 1999. Sharif spoke of his inability to fulfill his dream of making Pakistan prosperous country. He also raised the traditional reminder of how much suffering the seven years he spent out of the country after the 1999 coup by General Musharraf had given him. Perhaps, Musharraf’s return to Pakistan, without any arrest, reopened those wounds. He towed the line he has taken more recently, despite his own political origins being owed to the former Islamist dictator General Zia, that the military must not interfere in the running of the country for both democracy and the country to progress. Sharif’s own promises also included building a motorway from Lahore to Karachi – a project whose financial viability would again be questioned and raises the spectre that the Sharifs only see roads as development in a country where over 30 percent of people are still poor.

In many ways, Sharif appeared a man determined to deliver whatever agenda his party does stand for. And if opinion polls are to be believed, it is his party that will emerge as the top seat holder after the next elections, with the Pakistan Peoples Party’s credibility dampened after five fairly lean years in power.

However, no matter how strong his party’s claims and agenda appear this time around, there is no glossing over the fact that politicians continue to focus on delivering patronage above policies – and his party’s recent spate of so-called development projects in the Punjab is a reminder of such. If Sharif has learnt, it may be argued that he has taken too long to do so.

And then there is the question that should still haunt Nawaz: why was there no popular resistance in his favour when a coup d’état was staged against him? One could argue that it was his party’s failure to strengthen institutions, with his party’s attack on the Supreme Court of the time a key moment. And of course there is his ill-conceived attempt to declare himself ‘amirul momineen,’ in a polarised Pakistan. That said, the PML-N continues to show strong credentials as the election season gears up. But there is a need to up both the stakes and the level of the debate.

http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/editorials/