A journey backwards
In August, the PTI government completed its second year in office. The occasion warrants an assessment of its performance. What frightens me as a citizen of this country is the despondency and hopelessness sweeping through the land. It appears that the fear of the unknown has gripped the nation; 126 days of rhetoric and propaganda from atop the infamous container had created an environment of hostility and at the same time gave false hopes to many. While hopes have undoubtedly been shattered, the hostility remains.
With the cost of living becoming unbearable, businesses being shut, and jobs being lost in hundreds of thousands every month, there is no recent example of such a massive loss of faith in the government’s ability to perform even its basic functions.
Compounding the citizens’ problems has been a bureaucratic dysfunction that the PTI government has caused over the last two years. Looking at the treatment this government meted out to star performers such as Ahad Cheema and Fawad Hassan Fawad, civil servants are reluctant to put their signatures on day-to-day files. There is a fear of being caught and publicly humiliated even for minor procedural deviations.
Contrary to the high-sounding rhetoric of the civil services reforms, the current dispensation has presided over massive reshuffling in the bureaucracy. It is difficult to keep track of the changes brought about in key administrative positions. Punjab is awash with the reports of political interference being the norm even in the matters of routine transfer and postings. Little wonder then that governance has come to a grinding halt. An adversarial relationship with the bureaucratic machinery based on a lack of trust and suspicion is a sure recipe for disaster.
The past two years have witnessed a government that is being run by a small kitchen cabinet consisting of unelected advisers who hold important portfolios in the government. Under the parliamentary system, a cabinet is an offshoot of parliament with As regards internal dimensions of national security , these are numerous and equally crucial if not more . These interalia , include economic security , energy security , security against terrorism , food security , water security , cyber security and ever aggravating climate challenges . Pakistans internal situation undoubtedly got worst in Gen Musharraf era when there were serious attempts made even on his own life . Later PPP government (2008-2013)Sawat operation was conducted successfully .
When PMLN took over the government in 2013 , internal environments threatening our national security were still very pathetic to say the least . Target killings in karachi , bomb blasts in almost all populated cities on daily basis , suicidal attacks on army convoys and even in mosques was the order of the day . Not to speak of foreign investments , investors were not even ready to visit Pakistan . Human lives and properties were all unsafe . Situation was so grave that even annual national Parade could not be held and President Asif Ali Zardari and PM Yousaf Raza Geelani , nearly confined to their houses ,were forced to do symbolic distant inaugurations of different projects from their respective offices . Comprehending the gravity of the situation , Prime-minister Nawaz Sharif immediately called an important cabinet meeting in Karachi on 3rd and 4th September 2013 where it was revealed that 13000 people had already fallen pray to target killings in Karachi alone since 2001 while 33000 were injured . One third of the casualties unfortunately pertained to our law enforcement agencies .
Nawaz Sharif held numerous Apex Committee meetings in Karachi which were attended by the interior minister , Intelligence heads , Governor , PPP CM , Corps Commander, DG Rangers and police chief . Karachi was thus transformed in to a peaceful city . In an Apex meeting in KP , it was revealed that from 2008 to 2013 , 2500 people were torn apart in over 350 US drone attacks in our tribal belt which included many innocent civilians . PMLN government took immediate measures including launching of operation Zarb-e-Azb in North Waziristan in the very first year of their take over and later in Khyber Agency also . Our brave Army under the towering leadership of Ģen Raheel Sharif , broke the back of foreign funded terrorists . Besides APC was called to finalise National Action Plan after merciless beasts killed our 132 innocent children and along with their 10 teachers in KP province . Later in February 2017 operation Radd ul FASSAD was also launched under Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa which was successfully conducted by his able commanders and proud soldiers . PAF pilots also played a critical role in destroying terrorist nests in the inaccessible mountains . Our Navy kept monitoring not only 1100 km long coast line but detected enemy intruding submarine in the deep sea . This dramatically controlled the security situation , and suicidal attacks and bomb blasts became the story of the past because of the extreme sacrifices of the entire nation including army , police , CAF and by all segments of the society under the leadership of PMLN government . This surprised even some of the foreign powers . The French President asked Pakistani PM MNS on the side line of a conference in Europe as to how it was made possible and how could Pakistan help France in that context .
Second major contribution for national security by the PMLN government was to overcome energy crises and gas shortages with an amazing speed . To get rid of daily 20 hours load shedding in a minimum possible time , was undoubtedly a very tall order for any government . However this was done with incredible alacrity . Energy plants in Punjab were completed with lightening speed . Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif’s dynamism played a pivotal role in this context . This along with quick arrangements by Shahid Khaqan Abbasi for induction of LNG from Qatar to over come gas shortages , turned the table and miles long queues on CNG stations disappeared . Finance Minister Ishaq Dar did a superb job in keep the economy on track and meeting all defence needs for anti terrorist operations being conducted for national security . This had healthier impact on our Industrial and agricultural growth . The master stroke of PMLN government under MNS was , however ,finalisation of CPEC projects with Chinese leadership .Chinese President told MNS that CPEC was personal gift for him . This really was the game changer which gave confidence to the investors, raised Pakistan’s image and boosted much needed economic activities in the country . Resultantly GDP shot up to 5.8 percent ( now heading to minus point 4), size of the economy swelled from 280 billion dollars to 315 billion dollars ( now shrunk to 264)Revenue collection increased by 100 percent from Rs 1900 billion to Rs 3850 billion( now stagnant )Inflation went down to less than 4 percent ( now 12 percent )and large scale manufacturing registered growth . Similarly development budget was raised to about Rs 1.1 Trillion . These indicators boosted national moral and fortified national security .
Brig Asif Haroon Raja ,a renowned defence and security analyst , international columnist , Director Measac Research Centre and chairman Thinker Forum Pakistan sums up PMLN contributions for national security in these words,
The five years rule of PML-N was much better .The feathers it added to its cap were over coming energy crises by adding 12000 MW electricity in national grid and ending 20 hour load shedding , tackling gas shortage ,controlling rural and urban terrorism, launching biggest development programme, lift GDP to 5.8 percent and above all signing historic CPEC agreement with China which attracted 46 billion dollars China’s investment for the game changing project . All these achievements were made in spite of politics of agitation of PTI and PAT and judicial activism which retarded progress .
even the percentage of the representation of the Senate and the National Assembly mentioned in the constitution. The fact that a large number of handpicked advisers and SAPMs are running the show negates the very concept of parliamentary democracy. Political experts have raised serious questions involving conflict of interest and lack of accountability vis-a-vis this arrangement.
The emergence of information about some of them having dual nationality has further complicated the situation. Their dominance in the cabinet has seen the issue of Mian Nawaz Sharif’s health being politicized. A cabinet oblivious to the struggle of the common Pakistani discusses the former premier’s health for countless hours, all the while issuing self-contradictory statements on the matter. The fact is that medical professionals have, through certified reports, declared him ill and his return will be dependent purely on the recommendations of the medical professionals treating him in London
Various crises involving wheat, sugar, petrol and medicines have highlighted one essential lesson: mafias remain invincible and are literally lining their pockets during the tenure of the current government. To say that it is powerless before these interest groups will be an understatement.
Despite the formation of inquiry commissions, the prices of essential items have not come down. In other words, it means that mafias are free to loot and plunder the people as the government looks the other way. Coupled with the high cost of doing business, and several other factors, the high-handed and humiliating manner in which the government has treated the business community has led to a loss of confidence resulting in business closures and stagnation in the economic activity. Their 10 teachers in KP province . Later in February 2017 operation Radd ul FASSAD was also launched under Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa which was successfully conducted by his able commanders and proud soldiers . PAF pilots also played a critical role in destroying terrorist nests in the inaccessible mountains . Our Navy kept monitoring not only 1100 km long coast line but detected enemy intruding submarine in the deep sea . This dramatically controlled the security situation , and suicidal attacks and bomb blasts became the story of the past because of the extreme sacrifices of the entire nation including army , police , CAF and by all segments of the society under the leadership of PMLN government . This surprised even some of the foreign powers . The French President asked Pakistani PM MNS on the side line of a conference in Europe as to how it was made possible and how could Pakistan help France in that context .
Second major contribution for national security by the PMLN government was to overcome energy crises and gas shortages with an amazing speed . To get rid of daily 20 hours load shedding in a minimum possible time , was undoubtedly a very tall order for any government . However this was done with incredible alacrity . Energy plants in Punjab were completed with lightening speed . Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif’s dynamism played a pivotal role in this context . This along with quick arrangements by Shahid Khaqan Abbasi for induction of LNG from Qatar to over come gas shortages , turned the table and miles long queues on CNG stations disappeared . Finance Minister Ishaq Dar did a superb job in keep the economy on track and meeting all defence needs for anti terrorist operations being conducted for national security . This had healthier impact on our Industrial and agricultural growth . The master stroke of PMLN government under MNS was , however ,finalisation of CPEC projects with Chinese leadership .Chinese President told MNS that CPEC was personal gift for him . This really was the game changer which gave confidence to the investors, raised Pakistan’s image and boosted much needed economic activities in the country . Resultantly GDP shot up to 5.8 percent ( now heading to minus point 4), size of the economy swelled from 280 billion dollars to 315 billion dollars ( now shrunk to 264)Revenue collection increased by 100 percent from Rs 1900 billion to Rs 3850 billion( now stagnant )Inflation went down to less than 4 percent ( now 12 percent )and large scale manufacturing registered growth . Similarly development budget was raised to about Rs 1.1 Trillion . These indicators boosted national moral and fortified national security .
Brig Asif Haroon Raja ,a renowned defence and security analyst , international columnist , Director Measac Research Centre and chairman Thinker Forum Pakistan sums up PMLN contributions for national security in these words,
“ The five years rule of PML-N was much better .The feathers it added to its cap were over coming energy crises by adding 12000 MW electricity in national grid and ending 20 hour load shedding , tackling gas shortage ,controlling rural and urban terrorism, launching biggest development programme, lift GDP to 5.8 percent and above all signing historic CPEC agreement with China which attracted 46 billion dollars China’s investment for the game changing project . All these achievements were made in spite of politics of agitation of PTI and PAT and judicial activism which retarded progress .”
The current times will be remembered for media freedom being muzzled and media houses being strangled economically. In the last two years, hundreds of working journalists have been sacked. The worst kind of censorship has been in place, with PEMRA serving as a handmaiden of the government to control and even shut down errant TV channels.
Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman, the owner of the largest media group of the country, has been in jail for nearly 180 days without any charge being framed against him. Such shackles on media freedom are weakening democracy.
Another trend witnessed during the last two years has been the incessant persecution of the opposition political parties. Prominent leaders from both the PML-N and the PPP were arrested. Leader of the Opposition in Punjab Hamza Shehbaz continues to languish in prison for over a year without any evidence against him and after references filed against him, there is no requirement for him to remain in custody. The cases against Maryam Nawaz who hasn’t held public office for a single day in her life are a big question mark on the accountability process.
On tentative assessment of facts, scriptures passed by the higher courts of the country in cases against Shehbaz Sharif where NAB failed to prove any misuse of authority let alone corruption worth a penny, have further weakened the government’s narrative against the Opposition. The reference filed against the leader of the opposition does not level any allegations involving corruption or embezzlement of public funds; instead it is an attempt to link him to the family business which, in the eyes of law, is not tenable. Attempts by NAB to arrest him despite his previous incarceration from October 2018 till February 2019 and after filing of reference against him clearly expose the reality, as there is no legal or moral justification for his arrest anymore.
The current times will be remembered for media freedom being muzzled and media houses being strangled economically. In the last two years, hundreds of working journalists have been sacked. The worst kind of censorship has been in place, with PEMRA serving as a handmaiden of the government to control and even shut down errant TV channels.
