List of Demands for govt to start governance on

Pakistan Muslim League and

Quaid’s Liberal Progressive Agenda for Pakistan

Pakistan Muslim League has always established its strategy of governance whether in government or opposition by taking inspiration from Quaid. With the challenges facing Pakistan today it is critical that the dysfunctional governance witnessed since March 2008 comes to a halt and resolution of critical issues takes place so that the Liberal Progressive Agenda envisioned by the Quaid which PML espouses gets underway.

Though the problems created since March 2008 which remain unresolved are vast, what is discussed below is only an extremely selective immediate list (certainly not exhaustive) which PML as opposition has been demanding government to resolve (since March 2008 todate) so that the needs of the people of Pakistan are better managed if not fully managed. (this list will be added to continuously)

ACCOUNTABILITY AND ANSWERS are required through debate in parliament of how government will bring back all governance indicators to firstly where PML government left them and then to improve on them which was their election promise. Opposition and the people of Pakistan demand results based on action plans and strategies and not hollow excuses of what the government inherited not being sound.

Any media debate on governance needs to now question how government is fixing issues rather than multi party rhetoric on excuses. Pakistanis deserve answers of fix-its immediately. We have wasted 5 months in excuses. Media debate needs to help Pakistan overcome these problems by demanding solutions to these problems and challenges.

The stronger the government the stronger the role opposition needs to play to keep it focused to deliver on the promises to the people. Therefore PML has always strived to provide constructive opposition by monitoring government dysfunctionality as per the following indicators and parameters.

Whether one is in opposition or a member of the civil society, everyone should have a focused common unified voice demanding governance on the following. Only then will government wake up to its responsibilities and perhaps start governing. Since credibility of govt has been damaged domestically and internationally due to non performance of past 5 months, and due to promises made within coalition not being kept, only future performance will establish whether government wishes to govern for people of Pakistan or for itself.

CHALLENGES FACING PAKISTAN AND DEMANDS ON THE GOVERNMENT TO RESOLVE…

1. “It’s the economy stupid”

2. “Energy is critical for Pakistan’s progress”.

3. “Functioning of institutions a must”

4. “Food security is urgently needed”

5- “War against extremism consensus required”

6- “Federation’s unity to be enhanced”

7- “Build Pakistan as a responsible member of the comity of nations”

8- “Build the social fabric of Pakistan”

1. “It’s the economy stupid”

Economic indicators have worsened significantly since March 2008. It’s a factual situation. Government needs to present a consolidated strategy on how it will fix and improve. Todate we have not seen any such discussion by government on the fix it plan. Instead false propaganda has been spread on the crumbling inheritance which has not been validated by international reports of reputable organizations such as World Bank, IMF, Meryl Lynch etc. We have one month’s reserves left! Is this the fruit of so called democracy?

Demand #1 – fix the economy

1. restore reserves level from $4 bn in real terms to the $16 bn left by PML atleast.

2. fix the regional rating of the stock exchange from its current worse to what it was earlier and at the same index as what PML left

3. give the same PSDP as promised in the budget (Rs 520bn versus Rs 400bn) even if that wasn’t as high as what PML gave in its last budget rather than cutting back on it to meet fiscal deficit. Get the ministries to meet their deadlines of submitting their cash plans to MoFinance so that PSDP funds are not blocked.

4. fix the fiscal deficit currently at Rs 777.2 bn or 7.4% of GDP which had been targeted at Rs 398 bn or 4.2% of GDP.

5. reduce the external debt which has surged by $10.5bn, reduce the domestic debt which has surged to Rs 520bn.

6. improve the lending arrangements which WB has changed from program loans to project loans resulting in release of funds in periodic installments versus the earlier one time release.

7. account for the devaluation of Rs 76 from Rs 60 to a $ and immediately improve.

8. Improve Moody’s ratings for Pakistan and restore to Nov 2007 level atleast by engaging with them.

9. reduce inflation from the 30 year high of 25% and food inflation from 32% down to earlier levels if not better.

10. present an action plan for a Trade policy which shows trade in 81% of world products which it currently does not do, including a comprehensive marketing strategy for its execution, and a regionally politically correct trade policy versus the Indian tilt we have seen in the past.

11. restore subsidy of Rs 170bn which had been given on food, oil and electricity.

12. explain why net profits of commercial banks have declined by 20% to Rs 34.4 bn during first half of 2008 as compared to same period last year and what plans government has to establish profitability for vibrancy of economy.

13. explain how with increased interest rates government intends to enhance industrial growth.

14. explain how auto industry will regain its past glory of monthly sales 15,000 of last year versus this period’s monthly average of 4,400 units and manage unemployment which has increased as a result.

15. explain how the industrial parks created earlier have not being given any impetus.

16. account for the rise in gas tariffs and lack of R&D funds which are further putting textile industry in decline leading to daily export loses of 25% on average.

17. account for why Pakistan has not managed to keep pace with regional economies such as Bangladesh and why Pakistan is at bottom of UN countries list as far as its risk being priciest is concerned. Considering Pakistan was earlier identified as being part of N-11 and had reached debt servicing ratio of 26% of GDP from its earlier low of 1999 of 65% of GDP.

18. account for reports that Pakistan’s valuable strategic assets like gas fields of Qadirpur or Kot Addu Power will be sold to manage the defaulting economy crisis and also concerns over these transactions transparency.

2. “Energy is critical for Pakistan’s progress”.

Factually incorrect statements that PML did not contribute a single MW are not believed by a discerning public. Instead the following need answering for:

Demand # 2 – fix the water and power sector

3. “Functioning of institutions a must”

Democracy demands that institutions must function and all institutions which are contributing to Pakistan’s growth even if patronized by earlier government must continue. Unfortunately we have examples in these past months where institutional stability has been floundered with.

Demand # 3 – don’t mess with institutions and old projects

account for why ISI’s ownership was messed with at the behest of foreign powers.
account for efforts to making parliament supreme and yet decisions have been made on crucial issues like extremism, price hikes outside parliament.
explain why Parliament’s committee systems have not been functional since government has taken over; this reduces efficiency of parliament.
justify the closure of NCHD when it has given employment to about 1 lac families which will be affected after its closure; this has also affected the health and education sector productivity significantly. 400,000 children may end up without schools with NCHD’s closure.
explain why the National internship program which was started in March 2007 by the previous government has not been funded.
explain why impetus has not been given to the Clean Drinking Water project and its ownership is waiting decision between various government ministries.
explain why the National bank of Pakistan has shelved the President Pakistan Rozgar Scheme under which the bank provides CNG rickshaws to unemployed.

4. “Food security is urgently needed”

Food security is a government’s responsibility and providing for food which is cheaper than what the last government gave is necessary if part of election promise. Clearly food inflation has grown and not reduced in this government.

Demand # 4 – make food cheaper

explain the steps taken by government to reduce the price of a single meal from Rs 70 to Rs 30 of the past.
explain steps being taken to reduce food inflation of 32%.
explain what measures have been taken to manage provincial disputes on commodities whereby certain provinces have blocked wheat transfers and others have retaliated by threatening blockage of gas.
explain what is the strategic reserve situation for critical commodities like wheat in each province and district so that the common man doesn’t suffer.
explain what steps are being taken to stop wheat smuggling to Afghanistan.
make clear the government strategy for making basic food commodities available at utility stores with the right quality, right price and the sufficient quantities versus the 30% increase in prices witnessed recently.
explain what steps are being taken to take advantage of Pakistan’s position as 5^th largest milk producing country considering Pak daily development company has not met its recent targets.
account for why Pak farmers are not being provided with subsidies on fertilizer, tubewells and machinery of the same proportions as either last government gave or neighbouring countries so as to enhance per hectare yield.
account for responsibility of missing wheat procurement targets and future steps to ensure such issues do not re-occur.
account for steps being taken to fix policy on poultry growth related to import of parent birds, one day old chicks and poultry meat.

5- “War against extremism consensus required”

Government claims to have changed strategy in the War against extremism but in fact it’s the same policy of political dialogue, development and lastly military might. The biggest difference is that they are not getting the balance right and are giving in to US far more than earlier government ever did, with the result that regime change has been accepted by US. Suicide attacks have continued, US incursions are getting bolder than previous ones, and the Talibanization drive has yet to be stopped.

Demand # 5 – free Pakistan of extremism

6- “Federation’s unity to be enhanced”

Lipservice is paid to provincial issues with federation.

Demand # 6 – improve the federation’s unity

resolve judiciary crisis so Pakistan can move forward
resolve the concurrent list issue and create consensus for it amongst all political parties.
constitutional reform package which has been an exercise delivered in haste needs to be redone keeping consensus within parliament in mind.
resolve Balochistan grievances within parliament with consensus.
sharing of natural resources between provinces to be decided by Council of Common Interest; so that Balochistan’s grievances regarding gas development surcharge resulting into depressing its share artificially despite having efficient gas reserves gets resolved.
get rid of all those aspects of the constitution which promote party indiscipline and horsetrading.

7-Build Pakistan as a responsible dignified member of the comity of nations

Pakistan’s sovereign territorial integrity has to be super supreme. Pakistan has been centre stage due to war on extremism. Its rankings on different world indicators is critical for its progress. Has the government done anything to enhance these in the past months or have they not even been awake to the fact that they have contributed to their downgrading. Moreover, China has not had an ambassador despite it being critical for Pakistan’s progress. Hot talk from India and Afghanistan has been appeased. There is no vision from the new leadership on resolution of Kashmir. Only appeasement of US strategy of what seems to be balkanization of Pakistan.

Demand # 7 – maintain dignity of Pakistan in the comity of nations.

improve Pak world indicators and develop action plans for them

Pakistan in International Ranking on few indicators

give policies on Kashmir and show success on composite dialogue versus the non policy given in the first Presidential statement!
give Afghanistan its due treatment rather than giving it red carpet and looking like minions of US.
show the courage to give policy statement on China as a real leader rather than leaving it to bureaucracy.

8- “Build the social fabric of Pakistan”

Education, health and women empowerment is the plea many government’s take credit for but unfortunately no real implementation has been seen in this period for progress on these key social indicators which are milestones of democracy. All of this must be done whilst ensuring that serious attempts are made to attack menace of corruption. Considering the current circumstances this is a tall order. But Quaid demanded nothing less. media freedom given by us has to be enhanced nad if the small quality opposition has things to say which are not appreciated by the govt then it must give patient hearing on media versus usual tactics and take care of journalists security too. Infact opposition victimization should stop too.

Demand # 7 – improve social fabric

Marvi Memon