Achievements of democratic government in Pakistan
Tuesday, 23 March 2010
Rao Liaqat Ali Khan
Following nine years' of dictatorial regime, the people of Pakistan expressed their desire for democracy in no uncertain terms when they came out to vote in large numbers and elected Pakistan People's Party on February 18, 2008 to captain the state ship out of the unchartered waters onto the safe shores.
The democratic govern ment of Prime Minister Gilani has paid special attention to empower the parliament to usher an era of representative rule. The government wasted no time in establishing the parliamentary committees having across the board representation to conduct the business of the House in an efficient manner. One of the basic measures emphasizing empowerment of parliament is the appointment of Opposition Leader as the chairman of all powerful Public Accounts Committee. It is for the first time in the national history that the defense budget was presented in the parliament. Closely related to the idea of strengthening parliament is the establishment of All Parties Constitutional Reforms Committee, which is likely to complete its task in March 2010 to revive the original character of the 1973 Constitution, according to the Charter of Democracy.
Respecting the mandate the masses gave to the political parties, the newly elected democratic government, upon taking over, started a process of national reconciliation. In line with the provisions of Charter of Democracy, it joined hands with its erstwhile political rivals to form coalition governments at the Center and in Punjab, NWFP, Sindh and Balochistan.
Upon taking over, the most critical problem that stared the government in the face was that of terrorism and extremism due to previous regime's failed policies. There was a collapse of government writ in the settled areas of Swat and Malakand Division. The government tried to find a negotiated settlement of the issue and promulgated Nizam-e-Adl Regulation despite strong opposition and allegations of surrendering to the terrorists. Once negotiations and dialogue failed, the government was left with no option but to establish its writ at any cost. The successful adoption of anti-terror resolution passed in the joint sitting of Parliament helped evolve national consensus against terror which motivated the armed forces to take on the terrorists and crush them in Swat, Malakand and S.Waziristan.
The completion of the military action within a record time followed by orderly and Successful rehabilitation of more than 2.5 million internally displaced persons enabled the government to win the hearts and minds of the people. This achievement won accolades for the government both within Pakistan and abroad.
The present alienation of Balochistan is the result of 62 years of neglect the province received at the hands of successive governments. Upon taking over, the democratic government acknowledged the criticality of situation in Baluchistan and promised to heal the wounds. The Parliamentary Committee on Baluchistan came up with a comprehensive package of economic, political, administrative, constitutional reforms under Aagaz-e- Haqooq-e-Balochistan Package to end the alienation of the province.
The signing of the Seventh National Finance Commission Award between the Centre and provinces with consensus is a historic step in the direction of strengthening the federation. The new multi criteria consensus award has resolved a complex inter-provincial dispute, which festered for 19 years, to the satisfaction of all stakeholders.
Gilgit- Baltistan Empowerment and Self Governance Order -2009 is yet another major success of the democratically elected government which has received enthusiastic response from people of the area as well as all political parties. Under the new political arrangement, the status of Gilgit-Baltistan is almost that of a province with an elected assembly, chief minister, cabinet and other state institutions.
Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) was initiated in 2008-09 and has allocation of Rs. 70 billion in the current year. The Programme has been initiated to partially offset the impact of inflation on purchasing power of the poorer sections of society. The programme is aimed at covering almost 15% of the entire population, which constitutes 40% of the population below the poverty line. Each family would receive Rs 1000 monthly assistance under the scheme.
Pakistan People's Party has pro-worker policies to make the people master of their destiny. As pledged in the election campaign, the President issued an ordinance for reinstatement of 6000 employees of various public sector enterprises who were sacked on political grounds. Other pro-worker measures include revival of trade unions, massive increase in the salaries of government employees, the launch of Benazir Employees Stock Option Scheme in more than 80 state owned enterprises, the initiation of Benazir Green Tractors Scheme for small farmers, provision of subsidy in provision of about 70 items at the Utility Stores, increase in the minimum wage of the workers to Rs. 6000 and National Internship Programme.
The government is committed to implement the vision of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto to empower women and double the pace of national development. In consonance with the dream of the martyred leader, the parliament has enacted a law called Women Empowerment Act, which would provide security to women at the workplace. Similarly, in order to create space for women within the public sector, the federal government increased quota of women from 5% to 10% for recruitment in all the federal jobs and exclusive women universities are being established.
The size of Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) has been increased from Rs. 371 billion during 2008-09 to Rs. 421 billion in 2009-10. Over 700 new development projects costing Rs. 1535 billion have been started during financial year 2009-10 with sufficient allocations. The government is according special priority to infrastructure development by constructing new airports, motorways and modernizing rail system.
One of the major problems inherited by the government upon taking over was the power shortage and load shedding. Not a single MW was added to the national grid during the last nine years of the dictator. Sensing the magnitude of the challenge, it went into action mode with short, medium and long-term plans to develop water & power resources. It has plans to construct 32 small and medium dams and work on construction of 6 dams has been launched. To overcome electricity shortage in the country, up gradation of existing power system has also been started to reduce transmission and distribution losses. To exploit Thar coal reserves, a number of projects under Thar Coal Energy Board have also been initiated.
To boost exports, Export Processing Zones, Industrial Estates and Reconstruction Opportunity Zones are being established in the country and the existing ones are being expanded in consultation with all stakeholders.
Following nine years' of dictatorial regime, the people of Pakistan expressed their desire for democracy in no uncertain terms when they came out to vote in large numbers and elected Pakistan People's Party on February 18, 2008 to captain the state ship out of the unchartered waters onto the safe shores.
The democratic govern ment of Prime Minister Gilani has paid special attention to empower the parliament to usher an era of representative rule. The government wasted no time in establishing the parliamentary committees having across the board representation to conduct the business of the House in an efficient manner. One of the basic measures emphasizing empowerment of parliament is the appointment of Opposition Leader as the chairman of all powerful Public Accounts Committee. It is for the first time in the national history that the defense budget was presented in the parliament. Closely related to the idea of strengthening parliament is the establishment of All Parties Constitutional Reforms Committee, which is likely to complete its task in March 2010 to revive the original character of the 1973 Constitution, according to the Charter of Democracy.
Respecting the mandate the masses gave to the political parties, the newly elected democratic government, upon taking over, started a process of national reconciliation. In line with the provisions of Charter of Democracy, it joined hands with its erstwhile political rivals to form coalition governments at the Center and in Punjab, NWFP, Sindh and Balochistan.
Upon taking over, the most critical problem that stared the government in the face was that of terrorism and extremism due to previous regime's failed policies. There was a collapse of government writ in the settled areas of Swat and Malakand Division. The government tried to find a negotiated settlement of the issue and promulgated Nizam-e-Adl Regulation despite strong opposition and allegations of surrendering to the terrorists. Once negotiations and dialogue failed, the government was left with no option but to establish its writ at any cost. The successful adoption of anti-terror resolution passed in the joint sitting of Parliament helped evolve national consensus against terror which motivated the armed forces to take on the terrorists and crush them in Swat, Malakand and S.Waziristan.
The completion of the military action within a record time followed by orderly and Successful rehabilitation of more than 2.5 million internally displaced persons enabled the government to win the hearts and minds of the people. This achievement won accolades for the government both within Pakistan and abroad.
The present alienation of Balochistan is the result of 62 years of neglect the province received at the hands of successive governments. Upon taking over, the democratic government acknowledged the criticality of situation in Baluchistan and promised to heal the wounds. The Parliamentary Committee on Baluchistan came up with a comprehensive package of economic, political, administrative, constitutional reforms under Aagaz-e- Haqooq-e-Balochistan Package to end the alienation of the province.
The signing of the Seventh National Finance Commission Award between the Centre and provinces with consensus is a historic step in the direction of strengthening the federation. The new multi criteria consensus award has resolved a complex inter-provincial dispute, which festered for 19 years, to the satisfaction of all stakeholders.
Gilgit- Baltistan Empowerment and Self Governance Order -2009 is yet another major success of the democratically elected government which has received enthusiastic response from people of the area as well as all political parties. Under the new political arrangement, the status of Gilgit-Baltistan is almost that of a province with an elected assembly, chief minister, cabinet and other state institutions.
Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) was initiated in 2008-09 and has allocation of Rs. 70 billion in the current year. The Programme has been initiated to partially offset the impact of inflation on purchasing power of the poorer sections of society. The programme is aimed at covering almost 15% of the entire population, which constitutes 40% of the population below the poverty line. Each family would receive Rs 1000 monthly assistance under the scheme.
Pakistan People's Party has pro-worker policies to make the people master of their destiny. As pledged in the election campaign, the President issued an ordinance for reinstatement of 6000 employees of various public sector enterprises who were sacked on political grounds. Other pro-worker measures include revival of trade unions, massive increase in the salaries of government employees, the launch of Benazir Employees Stock Option Scheme in more than 80 state owned enterprises, the initiation of Benazir Green Tractors Scheme for small farmers, provision of subsidy in provision of about 70 items at the Utility Stores, increase in the minimum wage of the workers to Rs. 6000 and National Internship Programme.
The government is committed to implement the vision of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto to empower women and double the pace of national development. In consonance with the dream of the martyred leader, the parliament has enacted a law called Women Empowerment Act, which would provide security to women at the workplace. Similarly, in order to create space for women within the public sector, the federal government increased quota of women from 5% to 10% for recruitment in all the federal jobs and exclusive women universities are being established.
The size of Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) has been increased from Rs. 371 billion during 2008-09 to Rs. 421 billion in 2009-10. Over 700 new development projects costing Rs. 1535 billion have been started during financial year 2009-10 with sufficient allocations. The government is according special priority to infrastructure development by constructing new airports, motorways and modernizing rail system.
One of the major problems inherited by the government upon taking over was the power shortage and load shedding. Not a single MW was added to the national grid during the last nine years of the dictator. Sensing the magnitude of the challenge, it went into action mode with short, medium and long-term plans to develop water & power resources. It has plans to construct 32 small and medium dams and work on construction of 6 dams has been launched. To overcome electricity shortage in the country, up gradation of existing power system has also been started to reduce transmission and distribution losses. To exploit Thar coal reserves, a number of projects under Thar Coal Energy Board have also been initiated.
To boost exports, Export Processing Zones, Industrial Estates and Reconstruction Opportunity Zones are being established in the country and the existing ones are being expanded in consultation with all stakeholders.