After winning the 2018 elections Imran Khan was sworn in as the 22nd Prime Minister of Pakistan. The Federal Cabinet was also formed. The Prime Minister seems to believe in unconventional wisdom to achieve his long awaited dreams for the development of Pakistan, this indeed is a good omen for us.
Unconventional Methods
In his first televised address to the nation, he outlined used unconventional method for further strengthening of the magic “connect” with his voters, the people who voted for change and a qualitative life. The address was full of promises, pledges and plans and persuasions, a humanistic effort to share his grief about the poor people of this country. It reflected his die hard spirit to defeat the prevailing social ills, economic shortcomings, political divide, civil deformity and moral bankruptcy in the country. The address was not based on rhetoric but on passions of rightfulness.
His words came from the heart, he was simple yet expressive and seemed determined to achieve the unachievable as propagated by the allied opposition. It was indeed a “strategic road map of naya Pakistan”. All the vital issues related to macro-economy, financial industry, nature, civil service, civility, politics and accountability were showcased during his speech. Chronic problems of corruption, de-politicization of police, and liaison with different agencies, health, schooling and even housing were discussed.
Social Justice
He promised to establish a social justice that would protect the interest of the weaker factions of the society. He coined a new “social contract” which will be pursued to protect the rights of minorities, widows, pensioners and old aged people. He promised to institutionalize reforms for safeguarding Pakistan’s resources and their redistribution from the rich to the disadvantaged and marginalized species.
Economic Challenges
Imran Khan identified Pakistan’s economic challenges along with his government’s short and long term policies to overcome them. Foreign debts, declining ratios of Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs), widening parity ratio between US Dollar and Pak Rupee, budgetary deficit, current account deficit, low level of taxes and increase of imports were touched upon. Pakistan’s national debt burden has reached to Rs28 trillion, he appealed to overseas Pakistanis to come forward and remit their money through banking channels.
Human Development Index
Pakistan is at the lowest ebb of human development index, in some regions infant mortality is highest because people do not have access to clean water and children are not getting proper nutrition. He promised to start a national food program to minimize this deficiency. Poverty is a big issue in the country due to which 25 million children are out of school.
Good Governance
Prime Minister Khan emphasized on good governance and outlined diversified but integrated policies to achieve this goal which will be essential in the fight against status quo, corruption and red tapism. He also outlined his 5-point agenda. Supremacy of law, Zakat, compassion, merit and education would be important for achieving the desired goals of socio-economic development. He has set an example by using only cars and two servants as a prime minister of Pakistan.
Tax Reforms
He preferred to make taxation simple and widen the tax net. PM Khan explained that instead of trying to rebuild the economy via external loans, his government will try and fulfill its needs from within. The Federal Board of Revenue would soon be fixed. The idea of creating a task force to repatriate wealth looted from this country was also presented, to put an end to money laundering.
Economic Reforms
Boosting of exports and attraction of FDIs are the two challenges, to attain the same a Business Advisory Council would be formed to help address their challenges. Development of SMEs will be one of the key priorities of new government. PM Khan invited overseas Pakistanis to invest in the country and help rebuild the economy.
Anti-Corruption Drive
The system is rigged because of corruption owing to which rooting out corruption will also be a high priority for his government. Further autonomy of NAB will also be assured. A law for whistleblowers as done in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will be implemented. The SECP and the FIA will also be fixed on a priority basis.
Efficient System of Justice
An efficient system of justice is vital for eradicating injustice from the society. So revamping of the judiciary will also be on the agenda because without justice no sustainable development is achievable. Policing system would be a game changer in the country.
Education
Education has become a strategic tool in the modern ages. Our public sector education institutions as well as madrassahs are in shambles, the PM vowed to tackle these problems very soon. Fixing of healthcare system through national health insurance cards up to Rs.500000/- will also be institutionalized soon. Development funds allocated to MPAs and MNAs ought to be utilized for health care and health infrastructure in their respective areas.
Water and Dams
Water is life which has been endangered due to gross national negligence, to resolve this dams should be built. He said that the Bhasha Dam which is a commendable initiative started by the chief justice will be constructed at all costs.
Civil Service Reforms
Civil service reforms will enforce meritocracy in the ranks of government functionaries. There will be no political interference in anyone’s appointment. Honesty, determination and passion to deliver will be restored. Devolution of power along with checks and balances will be kept.
Concerns for Weaker Factions of Society
The Prime Minister, while addressing to nation, showed great concern for the weaker factions of the society. He boldly admitted the menace of child abuse in our society which needs to be eradicated. He showed interest in changing the lives of street kids, helpless wandering souls and transgender community. He supported the neglected and the underprivileged people in the country and vowed to introduce meaningful policies and programs for their wellbeing.
Climate Change
Climate change is a looming threat to our survival. He promised to fight against increasing incidents of climate change initially by a countrywide drive of plantation of trees for achieving a greener and healthier country. In this connection motivational plantation drives by the students may be an effective tool. Local MPA and MNAs would be made responsible for achieving the targeted plantation of new trees throughout the country.
He said that he would adopt a doable economic model to rescue sinking economy of Pakistan. Conflict of interest must be avoided at any stage. List of PTI MNA, MPAs, and Senators should be sent to every bank and financial institution with a direct phone and email for immediate reporting if someone tries to influence for a loan, write-off, wavier of deletion/reversal. No one from the PTI must be allowed to seek any financial relief of new loan from any bank. Governor houses if not sale out should be opened for general public at least once in the week for creating a “feel good” among the general masses.
Prime Minister and the COAS must jointly meet foreign delegations which will definitely enhance our bargain power. Sincere efforts must be initiated to restore our brotherly relations with UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar.
Forces of Change & Status Quo
Forces of the “Change” and worshipers of the “Status Quo” were in the race to win elections 2018. Terrorism also tried to play a role in these elections but ultimately failed to do so. The elements of fear could not stop people to choose their representatives in these elections. Every political party had equal playing field and nobody was “Ladla” as has been projected by the joint opposition forum. Most of the so called prominent politicians, religious leaders and stakeholders lost the elections because of disconnect with the general masses.
The dreams of last 22 years have been achieved with the victory of PTI in the Center, Punjab and KPK. The people voted for change, for socio-economic prosperity, against corruption and favoured development. The status quo was badly defeated and routed.
Alleged Pre-Poll Rigging
A hot debate has been going on in our regional, national as well international media about pre-poll rigging and fabricated walk-over to a specific party. Different important organs of the state were also in the “line of fire” due to these alleged claims. Social media had become a “decisive factor” in elections campaigning of each and every party in the country. Tit-for-Tat and war of tug went on among different political parties due to which national interests and moreover, strategic assets were also largely criticized unfortunately.
Role of Judiciary
Justice is sacred and a “Judge” is a symbol of greater good, accountability, rule of the law, equality and above all humanity. Ironically even this organ of the state which is the custodian of the constitution, civil liberties, human rights and protector of minorities and weaker factions and sections of the society was dragged in the ongoing dirty power politics in the country, especially during elections 2018. Allegations aired publicly by an Islamabad High Court Judge had opened a new Pandora box in the country.
The common people have been marginalized in the process of politicization and democratization in the country. If judiciary is being compromised towards power brokers then an abrupt fall is imminent in the society for which only the judiciary will be responsible. But first courts must discard popular perceptions of their biased verdicts and conducts. Agencies have nothing to do in the decision making of judiciary at any level against or in favour of any body. Let us hope, the new PTI government will initiate some meaningful policies to dilute this perception.
Bashing of Intelligence Agencies & Armed Forces of Pakistan
The bashing of intelligence agencies and armed forces of Pakistan was carried out by conspirators in Pakistan, this was seen at its peak during the elections 2018. Intelligence agencies and armed forces have nothing to do with a political party or group and voters were free to exercise their right. ISPR and Election Commission had already made it clear that there was no fog or smog. The electables acting like a migratory bird have always been in search of safer heavens since long, the agencies have neither forced anybody nor encouraged any electable to join any political party. This was a wrong perception being floated by those who felt they would come out second best in these elections. The Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) being the pioneer of this culture should be ashamed, this has been its own guilt which is now reflecting through political frustration.
Democracy and People
Democracy is the mother of modern political philosophy and civilization and is the “last resort” against monarchy, fascism, dictatorship and the last but not the least family dynasty. Democracy stands for people’s voice. It also speaks about “equal opportunities” and “fair-play”. It institutionalizes true spirits of accountability, supremacy of law, tolerance and basic necessities of life. In elections 2018 Democracy has won and the people’s free choice has been honored.
Whereas, as has been seen in Pakistan, democracy has been taking care only of the interests of the rulers, their cronies, ministers, business tycoons, financial mafias, falsified clergy, land mafias, pressure groups and of course non-state actors. Democracy has been labeled as “personal servant” to a party’s chief wherein, nobody has the right to differ or defy. Democracy has been used/misused to grab ruthlessly more and more power and precious bounties. PML-N has been in the corridors of power for the last 35 years and still it yearns for more and more power.
No substantial change was achieved in the system of governance, bureaucracy, law and order, education, health and housing under the so called people’s rule of PML-N. On the contrary, there was a steep rise in massive corruption, rigging of the system, malfunction of bureaucracy, deterioration of law and order, poor policing system while ignorance and darkness have been the hallmark of this government for the last so many years. It should therefore not be surprising that the people voted for good governance and a corruption free society.
Political Parties & Family Affair
Political parties across the board have been annexed as a mere “family affair” wherein princes and princesses are preferred over members of the parties and common voters. Election 2018 has opened a window of opportunity for all political parties as well as voters to vote for a better tomorrow, qualitative life, peace and harmony, socio-economic prosperity and above all social justice. So, please “Vote for change” which does not mean a specific political personality, group or party, it is your free choice, so one must think above prejudices, bigotries and comfort zones. PTI has set new standards of political loyalty, manifestation, service, submission and above all political affiliation which is totally contrary to the old political dynasty of Muslim League (N), PPPP and of course the many religious parties.
Exploitative & Oppressive Socio-Economic and Political System
Unfortunately, the socio-economic and political system in Pakistan has been both exploitative and oppressive because of the status quo of so many years. The status quo has favoured the rich at the expense of the poor. The result is growing inequalities of income and wealth and widespread poverty making it difficult for about 60 percent of the people to make both ends meet. Common people suffer from lack of adequate education, health and sanitation facilities, non-availability of clean drinking water, and housing. The ongoing fatal combination of deprivation and injustice has made the life of the common people unbearable. All political parties, especially the PML(N) has been responsible for this social unrest, economic meltdown and political division.
Financial Action Task Force (FATF)
Pakistan has already been put in the grey category of Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and if its policies are not rectified the “Black Category” is not far away. Rupee-Dollar parity is at its peak and it is feared that the Dollar may be as high as Rs.150-170 till December 2018 because of the so many complicated economic conditions in the country.
Emerging socio-economic issues may not be easy for the new government at the center. Water is depleting and nobody appears to be serious about it. Energy generation is expensive and nobody is ready to change its mix. So many mega corporations of the country are at imminent default and fall but still nobody is capable enough to turn the table. Internal/ external debts are out of the control and political parties are at war with each other for survival. Hunger, deprivation, injustice, marginalization, poverty, and unemployment is on the rise and unfortunately no political party has a vision to rescue us to safe shores of social stability, political maturity and the last but not the least economic sustainability. The common people voted for a prosperous Pakistan where no one will be above law.
Imran Khan, the PM of Pakistan made a very impressive speech wherein he assured social justice and rule of the law and no political revenge for anyone. He also promised not to use the Prime Minister House. In this context, he must follow the model of former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad who used his presidency only when there was a “foreign delegation” while he himself settled in a small home/flat. Imran Khan should also replace all the governors of provinces and appoint some real intellectuals/ professors or educated people. There must be “feel good” gestures among the people about “simplicity” of Prime Minister, his cabinet and associates.
PTI has already formed a functional government in the Punjab. Public health, and education should be foremost priorities of PTI. Uzbekistan’s model of social welfare and social development should be thoroughly studied and implemented in the province. There should be zero-tolerance against corruption in this respect the Malaysian Model of accountability needs to be implemented.
