WHILE the PML(N) is taking time to finalize its election manifesto, the PPP leadership elaborated more on its post-election agenda at a gathering at Larkana on Wednesday to mark 16th martyrdom anniversary of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto. The PML(N), which has already formed a committee to work on the manifesto in a detailed manner, went a step further in establishing a web portal giving an opportunity to the general public to give their input so that the manifesto, to be announced on January 02, truly represents the aspirations of the people.
If the past is an example, manifestos are formulated and announced with fanfare but only a part of them is implemented in letter and spirit because of lack of commitment and ground realities. However, based on the overall performance and delivery by different parties while in power gives an insight about their potential, capabilities and sincerity in fulfilling the promises they make to lure in the electorate on the occasion of polls. As PPP is widely considered as pro-public servants, the assurances held out by the party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto to double their salaries in five years would mean much for this hard-pressed segment of the society. It is, however, a million dollar question how the party can fulfil its pledge of providing 300 units of electricity free of cost to the consumers when rates are being jacked up every now and then on the pretext of soaring circular debt and an increase in cost of generation. Free and quality education and healthcare are also possible if the record allocations for BISP are used judiciously to provide genuine relief to the masses. Giving a broad idea of how the PML(N) manifesto would look like, one of its central leaders Prof. Ahsan Iqbal, economy, reduction in poverty, end of inflation, energy, labour, farmers, manpower, foreign affairs, overseas Pakistanis, end of corruption and accountability system would form part of the manifesto. He said the PMLN manifesto included reforms in the rule of law and justice and “we are asking the nation to give suggestions on what amendments should be made to the criminal law”. While PML(N) has a closed-fisted record as far as increasing salaries and pensions is concerned, its promises about reforms in the economy and other sectors can, to a large extent, be relied upon. The economy is surely in a shambles and reforms are direly needed as, in an article, World Bank’s country director Najy Benhassine has rightly pointed out that Pakistan’s current economic model is not working since it has fallen behind its peers, significant progress in poverty reduction has now started to reverse, and the benefits of growth have accrued to a narrow elite. He has emphasized that action is needed to change policies that have plagued development, benefitted only a few, and led to very volatile and low growth. This would be a big test of the new Government as people of Pakistan have become weary of the stereotyped policies and programmes of the successive regimes that focused on burdening the common man instead of making the well-to-do to contribute his/her share to the national kitty. Similarly, subsidies meant for the poorer segments of the society are being taken back on one pretext or the other but undue incentives and benefits continue for feudal, industrialists and businessmen despite the fact that a majority of them are not paying what they should be paying as taxes. Innovative ideas are needed to reform the crisis-plagued energy sector where tariff has become unsustainable but losses are still there. The WB Country Director’s proposals about consolidating progress towards financial sustainability, improving the efficiency of distribution companies, including through increased private participation and addressing the very high costs of electricity generation through increased renewable generation must be given serious thought by the coming government. Resource mobilization and debt management are two other crucial issues that need a satisfactory solution as presently the authorities find it difficult to utilize original allocations for development because of resource constraints. Improved living standards will require stronger growth and a more dynamic and open economy with focus on industrialization and modernization of agriculture and let us see what PML(N) has in its sleeves to address the ills of the economy and at the same time provide much-needed relief to the inflation-ridden people.
