In defence of the PML-N

PML-N is in contention to win next elections since it is the only party to have delivered on all fronts when in power.

Pakistan is facing serious existential problems with an economy in dire straits and all macroeconomic indicators at their worst, resulting in large segments of the population living below the poverty line. The economic situation could not have been worse and any chance of economic revival looks grim. The government does not have writ over large parts of the country and people are being killed with impunity. As a result of this inaction, minorities have come under extreme pressure in recent months. Add to this, the sectarian violence and the total collapse of the state machinery is evident.

In such a scenario, the forthcoming elections are extremely crucial and the choice that Pakistanis make will ultimately determine whether Pakistan comes out of this malaise or sinks further. Pakistan has a complex set-up, where talk of military intervention impedes progress. However, chances of that happening are very slim, considering the statement from the Supreme Court declaring that no unconstitutional intervention will be accepted. More importantly, there is a general consensus that General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani is not interested in such a venture.

Thus, with the PPP out of contention because of its poor performance, the other political option is the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). It seemed for a while that the PTI would emerge as a reasonable third option but the blunders committed by Imran Khan and PTI leadership have greatly undermined its appeal. In any case, Imran Khan has no solutions for the very complex challenges confronting Pakistan, so clearly the PTI is not an option and Pakistan can ill-afford an experiment.

That just leaves the PML-N. When given a chance in the 1990s to govern Pakistan, it more than delivered on all fronts. Major reforms took place in the banking sector, taxation, foreign exchange regulations, the telecom sector, import and export, aviation industry and other segments of business saw unprecedented growth. There was a major thrust on privatisation and deregulation. As a result of this, the economy boomed with a GDP growth of eight per cent in 1992 — the highest for any civilian government since independence.

Although taxes were lowered for all segments, including the corporate sector, by 1999, Pakistan had achieved a tax-to-GDP ratio of 13.4 per cent, which has now fallen to just nine per cent and is a major stumbling block towards investment in social sectors as well as infrastructure projects. On the foreign relations front, major policy initiatives were undertaken, including the peace process with India, culminating in Indian prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s visit to Pakistan in February 1999 and the signing of the Lahore Declaration. If the Kargil adventure had not taken place, the Lahore Declaration would have enabled Pakistan and India to forge closer trade and economic relationships with millions on both sides of the border benefiting from the economic boom.

Pakistan faces enormous challenges today, but there is also an opportunity as we look forward to the 2013 elections. If Pakistanis make the right choice, which we are sure they will, it could mean the beginning of recovery in all areas. With the right focus from the leadership, clearly defined goals and objectives and a highly professional team, the PML-N is determined to bring about fundamental and far-reaching changes in the economic and political landscape of Pakistan. We need to complete the process of change that was started by the PML-N leadership in the 1990s.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 25^th, 2012.