News
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Pakistan is making historyBy Wajid Shamsul Hasan
A democratic Pakistan is just about to make history. For the first time ever in 66 years a popularly elected government completes its constitutional tenure of five years on March 16. No doubt a momentous occasion; it is a land mark achievement for a country that has had roller-coaster political existence. It is now all geared up for elections to be held on May 9.
The great transition from dictatorship to democracy will coincide with the 73rd anniversary of historic Pakistan resolution of March 23rd 1940. We have come to this happy pass through a policy of national reconciliation pursued by President Asif Ali Zardari bringing in the fold all the political stake holders and a coalition evolved through consensus – fulfilment of Benazir Bhutto’s dream to carry Pakistan forward towards making it an egalitarian state as envisioned by Pakistan’s founder Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah and its builder martyred Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.
It is a singular achievement that despite multifarious problems including a strenuous war against terrorism, the nation has emerged united, resilient and determined to overcome onerous challenges. Five years of democratic rule have been of seminal consequences. Never before did Pakistan have such consensual purpose of bringing on the same page its political leadership, military, judiciary, and entire Pakistani nation as manifested in the broad based unanimity on key issues. Its constitutional amendment—18th, 19th and 20th—have consolidated the federation, its provinces and the people to make democratic polity irreplaceable and irrevocable.
Besides it has taken steps to improve national economy, overcome huge back log in power generation, making Pakistan self-sufficient in wheat through a revolution in agricultural sector overcoming endemic shortages in other essential items hitting the common people hard. Its Benazir Bhutto Income Support scheme has laid the foundation of a social welfare state.
These achievements should be a source of strength for the next government since the nation and its institutions are unified on issues of national and strategic importance. It is a matter of satisfaction that all the decisions on key vital and imperative issues taken by the past governments including prime minister martyred Benazir Bhutto and now President Zardari has had the support of all intuitions as well as the nation.
Lately the bold decisions made by President `Zardari on Gwadar Port and Pak-Iran gas pipeline are not only in the supreme national interest but would go a long way in converting Gwadar Port into a gate way for enhancing trade in the region especially facilitating land locked Central Asian Republics, Afghanistan and China. All political parties, military and judiciary have supported these decisions. Balochistan will benefit from both the decisions in a big way.
China has expressed its intent on setting up a free economic zone in Gwadar which will bring prosperity to the region. Yet another important decision was taken by the government by inaugurating Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline costing US$ 1.5 billion out of which US$ 500 million loan will be given to Pakistan by Iran. Iran will also construct an oil refinery in Baluchistan with the capacity of 400 million barrels. It is also dealing effectively the inherited problem of circular debt of over Rs16 billion accumulated by previous governments over the years due to non-payment to power generating companies.
These two being the most outstanding and daring achievements in the conduct of its foreign policy, opening of up trade with India Pakistan has also set its priorities right. It wants peace with India but with dignity without compromising on its core issues. All stake holders in Pakistan want normal relations with Delhi. Political and military leadership backed by an overly independent media has fully backed the government for opening and fostering trade with the eastern neighbour.
Its relations with the United Kingdom have blossomed into unmatchable ties as manifested in the of-repeated assertion by British Prime Minister that “your enemies are our enemies and your friends are our friends”. This relationship is more than just words when seen in the context of laudable role played by UK in getting Pakistan market access into EU. As such UK has come to be the most outstanding friend among the western countries.
The most significant achievement of the current government is to ensure free, fair and transparent elections within the constitutionally mandated time. It made all stakeholders on board for a consensus based appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner for guaranteeing transparency in polls. All political parties have endorsed this by reposing their confidence in the Chief Election Commissioner.
On the Afghanistan front while NATO prepares for withdrawal of its troops by 2014 Pakistan’s leadership has initiated a process of dialogue with the Taliban and has accepted the offer of negotiations without any wheeling dealing on the fundaments of national sovereignty and territorial integrity. The ball is Taliban’s court—whether they want to join the mainstream of civilised fraternity or be faced with a determined Pakistani nation committed to holding onto its independence and securing internal peace for its people and the world.
Pakistan’s nuclear programme has remained a bone of contention for some countries. Since it is a manifestation of national pride all stake holders are unequivocally committed to its safeguard to ensure security of Pakistan. Initiated by its leader Zulfikar Ali Bhutto as a deterrent to guarantee national security, successive governments have shown singularity of purpose in sustaining it despite outside pressures.
There are no two views that Zulfikar Ali Bhutto defied powerful external pressures and opposition and sacrificed his life for Pakistan’s nuclear glow. His nuclear programme came to fruition in 1998 with its formal testing. Benazir Bhutto gave a new and effective dimension to the programme when she introduced missile technology as a means for targeted delivery. There is a national consensus that acquisition of nuclear technology is a matter of life and death for the country.
Today Pakistan can pride itself for free and independent judiciary that had previously become pliable tool for the dictators. Besides, media never had it as good as now in the area of freedom often crossing into pale of licence. It goes to the credit of this government that there is no political prisoner in the country, long marches are held unhindered and democratic culture of tolerance has replaced politics of vendetta. Obviously nation would in the longer run reap the full fruits of freedom as time moves on.
An election being round the corner, the government has ensured that power would be transferred to those who win elections within the framework of the constitution under an interim set up. It would be a milestone in our history that for the first time a democratic government will be completing its tenure and transferring power – a fact that would establish continuity of legitimacy which is imperative for consolidating democracy for posterity. Voters would surely remember that the sine quo non of success lies in continuity and not change.
The author is High Commissioner of Pakistan to UK
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk