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Gilani's Emergency Plan for a Future Pakistan
Upon winning the confidence vote in parliament on March 29, 2008, new Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani's's policy speech came as a long-awaited beacon of hope for the people of Pakistan who seemed to have lost all faith in the politicians and the so-called democratic process which only means elections. Not only the entire National Assembly unanimously reposed its confidence in the leadership of Prime Minister Gilani, but perhaps for the first time in Pakistan's history, the opposition members too voted for the Leader of the House. The opposition leaders did all this just to proclaim their solidarity with the new government and to support and strengthen democratic norms. Gilani enumerated his policy decisions for the next 100 days after getting a unanimous vote of confidence in parliament. Gilani enumerated his policy decisions for the next 100 days after the unanimous vote. The prime minister has touched the right chord by taking up issues such as terrorism, independence of the media, unemployment, energy crisis, weak institutions, the role of the army, etc.
Through dialogue
Speaking in the National Assembly after taking vote of confidence, the new Pakistani premier Gilani said maintaining law and order in the country would be the top priority of his government for which terrorism needs to be rooted out. Prime Minister Gilani promised to take along all sides and work for the best interest of the country.
He called the "militants" to shun the path of violence and initiate dialogue with the government. The past eight years or so have amply proved that the two-pronged strategy of resorting to military means and holding or abandoning peace talks with "militants" on the instance of the US has not worked.
The prime minister welcomed the COAS decision of withdrawal of the on duty military officers from the civilian departments adding that it has boosted the prestige of the armed forces. He announced repealing of the draconian Pemra laws of Nov 3, 2007 adding the Parliamentary Reconciliation Committee recommendations will be introduced. He welcomed the announcement of the Chief of the Army Staff that all army personnel from the civil departments will be called back.
The steps like bringing the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) under the judiciary and lifting ban on the student and trade unions will go a long way in strengthening democratic credentials of the country. In the same way, the annulment of the Concurrent List contained in the Constitution through legislation will certainly open up a new era of provincial autonomy.
He vowed to strengthen the institutions and to improve law and order in the country. Gilani has done the right thing by announcing the abolishment of the British-era Frontier Crimes Regulation (FCR) laws in the tribal areas under which decisions in the region were taken by the local authorities that could not be challenged in a court.
The Prime Minister said his government would take steps for the restoration of deposed judges. As a first step, these judges have already been freed from detention.
FOREIGN POLICY
The Prime Minister said the basis of country's foreign policy would be peace, solidarity and peaceful coexistence. He said Pakistan keeps respects the solidarity of other nations and expects a similar treatment from other nations towards Pakistan. He said the government would strengthen its ties with the Islamic countries. He said Pakistan also desires close and friendly ties with Europe and United States of America.
The new government in Islamabad has wasted little time making clear its disapproval of Washington's policy toward Pakistan and its strategy on counter-terrorism. PM Gilani also dwelt on salient features of his government's foreign policy, saying relations with the outer world would be based on shared values. He particularly and rightly mentioned China with which his government would like to have even closer relations. China was a traditional and time-tested friend of Pakistan.
Linking relations with India to the solution of Kashmir, the PM reassured his commitments to the cause of Kashmir and expressed his readiness to resolve this issue in accordance with the UN resolutions and as per the wishes of the Kashmiris. An amicable solution to this issue is likely to serve as a hard nut to crack, during his premiership. Raza Gilani assured the Kashmiris that there sacrifices will not go waste and the lingering dispute will be resolved according to their aspirations. Addressing the National Assembly after getting a unanimous vote of confidence, Gilani said, "We will promote peace and brotherhood with neighboring countries."
Gilani said the government would take forward the process of negotiations to seek resolution on Kashmir issue. However, he made it clear that Confidence Building Measures would only be effective if the issue were seen getting resolved according to the aspirations of Kashmiris and international principles. Later, Gilani reassured the Kashmiris of Pakistan's continued support for their self-determination drive and hinted that he would pursue further the Pakistan's resolve to obtain freedom for Kashmiri patriots from occupying India. He also wants to improve ties with neighbor India.
Many Pakistani ambassadors, posted particularly in European capitals, busy with spending their sweet time in foreign capitals with the glorious pleasures and privileges of the post, are virtually doing nothing worthwhile in terms of image building of their country. There must be somebody who could tell them that it is now time to pull up socks! The new premier and the foreign minister of course have the guts and sufficient public support as well to execute their plans.
Common man's problems
Price hike and unemployment are other key problems faced by the country, the government would provide jobs to jobless, he said. To provide employment to the fresh graduates, Prime Minister announced the setting up of Literacy and Health Commission. It will also ensure employment to one person in a household. He said all retiring government servants will be given flats or houses and the provinces have also been directed to launch similar schemes for the retired persons.
Gilani thinks over the steps to lower the prices of daily commodities and bring relief to the common man is equally praiseworthy. The package of political and economic reforms in the tribal areas will address many of the complaints of the local people. He said he would soon announce a special package for tribal areas to give them employment and to remove their backwardness and other social evils. The prime minister in his landmark speech increased the support price of wheat from Rs. 510 to 625 per 40 kilograms. He announced lifting of ban on student and trade unions, while changed the status of PEMRA to make it a subsidiary of the ministry of information.
The Prime Minister said that every year one million housing units will be constructed in the country. By declaring plans of five-marla housing schemes for people from the middle and lower middle class, Gilani has addressed a long-forgotten but important matter that concerns the majority of our population and forms part of the PPP manifesto. The announcements made by the prime minister have made people pin high hopes on him.
Referring to power, flour and water crises in the country, Prime Minister Gilani said these problems were not easy to tackle. He said there was a possibility of more load shedding in the country during the summer season. He would overcome the electricity shortage in the country, which at present stands at 3000 megawatt, new power units will be set up and PEPCO has been asked to issue 10 million energy saver bulbs at discounted prices. He said in the first phase of Thar Coal Project the electricity generation will be 5,000 mw which will increase to 20,000 mw in the next phase. To save the wastage of water, he added, canals will be brick lined and small dams constructed to ensure supply of water for irrigation and drinking purposes.
The much-trumpeted madrassa reforms initiated by the previous regime were not implemented in their true letter and spirit. It is hoped that this government's efforts on this count will not end up in smoke. The focus of such education should be sharing of true Islamic values.
As part of austerity measures, Gilani wants the budget of the Prime Minister House to be cut by 40 percent and hoped that other departments too will follow the example. The cabinet members will not use a vehicle of more than 1600 cc and they will only be allowed Economy Plus class during air travel.
FORWARD!
The problem is that announcements can be made without any hurdle and opposition but when time for their implementation arrives, troubles then start to test verves of all and sundry. One should not, however, doubt the commitment of the PM, which he made to the people regarding maximum relief besides providing them with basic amenities of life. If implemented with success, the steps will win for him huge amount of respect and credibility.
Simplicity no doubt has the dynamics of setting strong basis for an equitable society in which everybody has access to all basic facilities, but as it is said, charity begins at home. The sitting government can succeed in this noble cause provided it takes the lead in setting some worth-emulating precedents. Hopefully, Gilani would concentrate on this fairly well.
For his part, Gilani has vowed to take along all political parties and work for the prosperity of the country and its people. The new government should, however, remember that this time people are not ready to bear with shallow promises made to them. The government will have to keep its promises to avert a major political crisis and thereby prevents a further blow to the people's confidence. For the moment, all things seem to be working right for the prime minister as the National Assembly has reposed its confidence in him.
Clearly, Gilani has opted for a balanced act both in domestic and foreign affairs. A fight between presidency and the parliament in Pakistan is not in the best interests of the country, already passed through turmoil and almost torn in parts owing to several inside and outside problems. It looks a promising scenario is emerging in Pakistan where the politicians are slowly shedding their mutual hatred in favor of constructive cooperation to safe guard the legitimate national interests. That is exactly what can take Pakistan to greater heights.
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Analyst, Researcher, Columnist & Commentator
Delhi
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