Pakistan at
a Turning Point
By Dr Ghulam M. Haniff
US
After fifty-eight
years of rudderless adrift Pakistan is now at a
critical turning point seemingly in transition from
a failed past to a hopeful future. Signs of hopefulness
include an economy experiencing rapid expansion,
a stock market bursting at the seams, an information
technology revolution involving increase in Internet
connectivity and higher education seriously contemplating
fundamental changes. Pakistanis in anticipation
of a brighter future should have much to celebrate
about when the independence anniversary rolls around
this year.
Just a handful of years ago Pakistan was a ravaged
country on a downward spiral waiting for the inevitable
collapse. Interested observers had labeled it a
failed state, ridden with graft and corruption,
struggling to stay afloat. Since then the country
has been resurrected, and despite adversity, political,
social and economic institutions are showing signs
of revitalization to give the nation a sense of
statehood.
Under the democratically elected prime ministers
the country was rife with civil strife, disorder
and widespread anarchy for over a decade. Bombings
and bloodshed were daily occurrence. It seemed as
though the nation had descended into a Hobbesian
hell with war of all against all. Today, there is
still social turmoil though the intensity of violence
has markedly subsided as attempts are being made
to impose a sense of law and order.
When the dramatic coup took place in 1999 and General
Pervez Musharraf took over just about everyone cheered
for joy. There was dancing in the streets. People
were fed up with violence and social chaos. They
longed for national salvation at the hands of a
savior. Since that date in October much has happened
and indications are today that the country is undergoing
fundamental changes and moving in the right direction.
In the political arena the concentration of power
in the hands of the feudal elite, while still a
reality, is beginning to erode as union councils
gain strength and local governments acquire effectiveness.
Pakistan’s elective feudalism rendered democracy
meaningless and the exercise of ballot box power
impotent. The vested interests were only interested
in looting the national treasury. Recent requirement
that legislators be college graduates is likely
to break the stranglehold on power at the top. It
would certainly usher in a new set of lawmakers
more responsive to the pressures for change.
No doubt, there is urgent need for efficacious legislative
culture particularly in the National Assembly. That
is beginning to happen with the project launched
recently to create an institutional culture for
the purpose of strengthening the capacity of the
parliamentarians and legislative staff. The inclusion
of women in the traditionally male-dominated decision-making
bodies is likely to have a dramatic effect as it
provides an avenue for input into lawmaking by the
neglected one-half of the population. In addition
to women, the inclusion of farmers, labor and minorities
would make policy formulation truly revolutionary
and further deepen the devolution of power. The
political role given to women represents a novel
phenomenon in Pakistan’s political history
and is the only one of its kind in the Muslim world.
Despite enormous resistance by the vested interests
political institutions are being cast into a new
mold to become answerable to the voting public.
A new structure of power will not come about anytime
soon but pressures for participation in decision-making
at various levels of government remain high.
The most important achievement of the Musharraf
regime can be seen in the economy. It has been rescued
and turned around. The processes of deregulation
and privatization have realized the creation of
a free market economy. The results are already reflected
in the rising productivity with 5 percent rate of
growth in GDP for each of the past three years.
The latest projections are that the economy will
expand in excess of 7.5 percent during the current
fiscal year. The fact that the management of the
economy was placed in the hands of technocrats,
with Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz as its latest czar,
obviously has paid handsome dividends.
At the moment economic growth is being fuelled by
the massive real estate boom in the major urban
centers, and with it construction and consumer spending
for durable goods, as well as manufacture and sale
of textile products. All of these have led to bank
reserves at an all time high, greater tax collection
and reduction in national debt. The higher rate
of growth in GDP is also contributing to larger
outlays in the social sector for the financing of
social services and improvements in the infrastructure.
Musharraf has paid considerable amount of attention
to trade. Unlike the previous governments a number
of trade deals have been negotiated and the trade
policy regime of Pakistan is one of the most open
in South Asia. That means that competitive pressures
will qualitatively improve production and enable
the country to compete internationally.
While left behind in the development of information
technology Pakistan has attempted to catch up during
the past five years. The IT breakthrough has largely
been the result of the dedicated effort of Prof.
Atta-ur-Rahman, Minister of Science and Technology,
one of the wisest appointments that Musharraf ever
made. Prof. Rahman continues to rekindle interest
in scientific studies and emphasizes the development
of IT industry. The fledging software initiative
is off to a good start with exports increasing each
year. Even outsourcing contracts are being snared
with at least half a dozen call centers in operation,
as new companies acquire greater business acumen.
Having been in the seat of power barely for six
years Pervez Musharraf has accomplished a lot for
Pakistan. The nation owes him a debt of gratitude.
It is ironic that this military strongman is more
interested in building a framework for democracy
than any other leader previously. Academic studies
indicate that the most important factor in implementing
democracy is dedicated elite. For nation-building
argues David McCullough in “1776”, a
current best-seller, what a country needs is a few
good men and one great one. He emphasizes that it
is individuals of character that can change destinies
of nations. The inevitable question that arises
for the Islamic Republic is whether Musharraf would
be that “individual of character” who
can change the destiny of Pakistan.
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