One of the prominent critics, Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, whose PML-Q is a product of General (retd) Pervez Musharraf’s genius and who had vowed to re-elect the dictator as president in uniform, is forcing the people to believe that his stint as chief minister was the best Punjab has ever had. On the other hand, statistics show that the PML-N policies are more productive and aimed at creating a favourable environment for sustainable economic development with infrastructure as a top priority.
If we look at the ‘charge sheet’, the main allegation levelled against the PML-N is that its Lahore-based leadership is neglecting south Punjab — the main argument behind the political stunt of Seraiki or south Punjab province — and that the PML-Q, in its 2002-07 tenure, had given the people of southern parts of Punjab their ‘due share’.
To make the record straight, it must be mentioned that the PML-N government has increased the yearly allocation for southern Punjab to Rs80 billion in 2012-13 from Rs22.040 billion in 2007-08. In 2003-04, the total Annual Development Programme (ADP) allocation for Punjab was Rs30.5 billion with 23 per cent share (Rs7.1 billion) for south Punjab. By 2007-8, when the PML-Q was in office, this share slid to 15 per cent.
If we go through the budgetary allocations by the PML-N government, the story is quite opposite, as the percentage share of south Punjab in ADP has been enhanced every year, from 16 per cent in 2008-09 to 32 per cent in 2011-12 in 2012-13. The total development allocation was Rs160 billion for the first budget of the PML-N government, with Rs25.7 billion for south Punjab, and this increased to Rs250 billion (south Punjab’s share at Rs60 billion) by 2012-13. In other words, the Pervaiz Elahi-led government slashed the development budget for south Punjab by more than 50 per cent, while the PML-N government more than doubled it. Most importantly, all this has been achieved with a hostile government at the centre.
But why this PML-N bashing which lacks proof? It is clear that all the forces enjoying good relations with the establishment have united to eliminate the PML-N from Punjab. The foremost reason behind this approach is the party’s clear stance on civil-military relations and rule of law in the country. The PML-N, under the leadership of Nawaz Sharif, has also ended the impression that the people of Punjab are always tilted towards the establishment and has raised its voice in favour of small provinces, which augurs well for a strong federation and Pakistan. It helped Punjab get rid of the Legharis, Mazaris, Tiwanas, Daultanas and Chaudhrys, who always served the establishment and fooled people through mere sloganeering. As a result, the PML-N is now the most popular and representative political party of Pakistan, a fact which cannot be digested by the kingmakers, traditional power-brokers and their allied political entities.
After a complete failure to deliver during its tenure and the demise of much-hyped ‘tsunami’, the PPP has now chosen to field Manzoor Ahmed Wattoo to reverse its dwindling fortunes in Punjab. The move reminds us about the reality that the PPP is not bothered by even using workers to win elections and has resorted to power politics as a last resort to cling on to power to further its own interests at the cost of people. The PPP and its allies must not forget that the sole criterion to contest polls is performance and announcements of “restricting Sharifs to Raiwind” will be counterproductive. People want real change and not a manufactured one.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 22nd, 2012.
COMMENTS (24)
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@Ali Xaidi: I think that people just need to see the condition of Punjab compared to anywhere else in Pakistan. Punjab has done well under the CM - period and end of discussion. People can say what the want but we all know the ground reality that Punjab is moving ahead with growth because of Sharif brothers.
Raja Arslan has simply kicked the bomb here. Now he is biased, paid, N-funded, Noora, English Jiyala or even a Patwari. The self-proclaimed saints and angels weren't able to read the facts stated in the piece. Straight-forwardly they blow away the reality and start the same old rhetoric of theirs "Punjab is worst governed, newspapers are bought, writer spent some time at Raiwind last week, Sharifs are dictators" and yes the funniest one "Mush era was the beat" For such kids, I'd just translate a Punjabi proverb into English "When moon is in the sky, everyone can see it" Dictators don't put their sons in law in jail, don't suspend them from party for ensuring the respect of other party leaders who are by no means related to the party leader" Still you wanna cry?? Go on. There is no cure to the obsession.
And what about the wastage of money on failed schemes ...from Sasti roti, IT labs,Danish School and now laptop drama ..Please name anyone which is the success story .... are they paying money from there pocket or they are wasting our money generated from taxes ..
PML-N worked better than other provinces. No doubt, Lahore is more focused and it has a reason - fear of Imran Khan. The writer is a English-Jiyala of PML-N as Irfan Siddique is an Urdu-Jiayla. This time youth has decided to give one chance to Imran Khan.
In PML-N, Nawaz Sharif acts like a Greek god and his brother Shahbaz Sharif as the representative of that god on Earth. This Greek mythology type leadership of PML-N is not only bad for their own party but also a grave danger for the democracy and for the country at large. No one in the PML-N can utter a word against any decision or statement decreed by the Baray Mian. Any disagreement with the party leadership is out of question. First and final word lies with the King of Raiwind. The arrogant, aloof, and average-intelligent Nawaz Sharif has lost two of his government due to his dictatorial style, and now his party is splitting into many pieces, which is good for the country. Senior Ex-leader of Pakistan Muslim League-N Javed Hashmi had said no one within the party would be allowed to act like a dictator and that workers’ rights would be protected even if it draws any one’s ire. Sir Anjam Khan of PML-N has said that Muslim League does not belong to a particular individual. Now it is the time when all the true and diehard Muslim Leaguers should join hands and stand against the dictatorship of bald-from-the-wisdom-too leadership of PML-N.
I don't need this article to tell me the obvious: I would rather be in Punjab than any other province in Pakistan because it is the safest, best developed and stable province in Pakistan. Go to any city in Punjab and people can tell you about real development. I don't care about the PML but no one can deny the good work they have done in Punjab because it is obvious that roads, schools and hospitals have all improved. You get the sense that the Punjab is stable and developing. I travel yearly to Pakistan and it is the sole province where you can the idea that things are improving. The credit goes to the people and the provincial government. Anyone who disputes this is politically biased and purposely distorting reality. Go to any major city in Punjab and anyone can see what is real and obviously Punjab is better under Shahbaz Sharif.
Pmln sponsored piece!!!
Be it Shahbaz Shareef or Pervez Elahi ...........one thing in common is corruption in the guise of development.
Well if people want to eat grass and be happy to ride ghdha gari let them do so and elect ppp and other thugs.They want to extend palm of their hand for one roti,beg for one shalwar qameez and mud hut for living then ppp and others power hungry are perfect choice.NS is too ahead of time for this nation.Let them reject him and repent for another decade.
Not just the establishment backed, but every self respecting Pakistan has decided to rid Punjab of PML-N, and it couldn't come sooner.
Excellent Article, PPP, PMLQ, PTI , MQM and ANP are all working on establishment's one point agenda to stop PMLN from being came into power....Shahbaz Sharif done alot in all parts of Punjab , its not just Lahore, i can name many big projects in Rawalpindi, Multan, Faisalabad, Bahwalpur, Gujranwala and Sialkot........Punjab Govt is best.....
Some one please tell me the Budget location of News Paper ad. of Shahbaz Shareif ?
Shahbaz beat every one in this "project".
PMLN Punjab government is the worst form of political peagantry and swindle one can ever imagine. Whilst half of the province children are unable to attend schools in their lifetime, The Chief Minister runs around handing out laptops like a Maharaja out to buy their subjects' loyalty by showering crumbs of breads around.
Government is Punjab has no plan or vision for the province. It is just money here and money there but mostly in and around Lahore. There is no priority nor any focus on basic issues of public interest.
Nice article to give a reality check to (PPP+PMLQ+PTI) alliance who are opposing PMLN.
Very good piece.
It's PPP + Q league + PTI against PML N.
Q league encouraged the renaming of NWFP, they built with PPP this Mayawati style Siriki politics.
What has Q League done for Punjab???
The op-ed has PMLN jiyala written all over it...
author did not mention that whole development only came in lahore.there is not a single mega project in faisalabad except abdullahpur underpass which is in progress and only 10%work have been done and 84 days is remaing of this government.
What a bogus & biased analysis it is !! pls read world bank and other authentic reports which clearly indicates that punjab developments during 2002~07 was remarkable. pls avoid such loaded opinions as this not reflects a neutral journalism .
K