The writer is Editor of The Express Tribune
Mubarak Mian Sahab. You have been given another chance, and that too with a thumping majority. This gives you the muscle to take steps that previous governments have been unable or unwilling to. How will you be different? On being sworn in, you will have created a record of being the first PM to score a hat trick. How else do you want us to remember you in times to come?
Challenges are many. But given how you patiently waited in the past five years and worked for democracy in the long term interests of Pakistan, one has high expectations. You have to tread carefully in some areas but decisively. You have the mandate to move mountains. Use that mandate to your advantage but not to bulldoze things. In many areas, consensus should be adopted. Despite the fact that some provinces did not vote for your party, this is the time to prove that you are the leader of all Pakistanis.
For starters, this is a different Pakistan than the one you left as PM in 1999. The media is much freer now. Be as patient with them as was the outgoing government. In return, the media will be your best check on how your government is doing. Let them be a mirror to your government.
Your opposition is also different. The PPP-MQM combine is predictable. Be more tuned to the PTI. They will give you a run for your money in days to come. They have a better understanding of the pulse of the nation.
And then some things will be familiar. Once again there will be a combination in the power troika in place as we saw when you were PM first time round. But don’t insist on replacing such offices with people whose only qualification is loyalty. Bring people on merit when the time comes.
Your twin challenges are the economy and terrorism. Jump-start the economy. The private sector has high hopes in you. Bring in professionals to reform sick and ailing public sector enterprises. Reform the taxation system. Work towards attracting foreign investment. But this will only be possible if the perception of corruption in the bureaucracy is addressed. Do away with red tapism.
Work on the country’s infrastructure. But don’t ignore the social sector. We need heavy investments in health and education. Continue to engage the youth. They may become your biggest supporters. But at the same time don’t give in to the temptation of populist schemes. They cause more bad than good. Billions are wasted. Work to build institutions.
Listen to the people. Don’t overly rely on the bureaucracy. In the past too you have worked on your political instincts. Do away with archaic laws and appoint competent officials to deliver on government services. Take public officials to task.
Address the issue of terrorism head on. Initiate dialogue but do not be taken for a ride. Be patient but do not unnecessarily delay action. Work for peace but be willing to use force to ensure the writ of the state.
Be sincere in improving the on-ground situation in Balochistan and in other troubled parts of the country. Work against militancy in the interests of Pakistan. Improve the law and order situation in Karachi. Address the fears of our country’s religious minorities and marginalized communities. They have been neglected for too long.
Do continue where you left off in relations with India. Also work towards regional dialogue. Relations with the US will be tricky given your political stance on a number of issues. Give our foreign policy a breath of fresh air. Think out of the box. Don’t let others hijack your foreign policy initiatives.
Overseas Pakistanis are your biggest strength. Do not let them down. Address their problems. Give them enough reasons to invest in their home country.
Finally, don’t waste your time settling scores or scoring points. Stay away from political victimization. Bring in a professional team that is representative of the country. Bring in people who understand problems and are willing to work towards solutions, not towards enriching themselves. Pakistan has given us all a lot of chances and opportunities. The time now is to give something back to the country. Let us begin.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 13th, 2013.
COMMENTS (19)
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This is being said by most of the people that this victory of PML-N is not just a bed of roses for Miyan Nawaz Shareef at all. This will be an ocean of fire as the situation of Pakistan has become worse after five year of so called "Bhutto’s" government. This time people came out from their houses on may 11 just for "change”. So Miyan Nawaz Shareef definitely has a mandate to move the mountains. All these problems like terrorism, corruption, load shedding etc which are being faced by our country are heavier than mountains. Now all the expectations are shifting towards Miyan Sahab. Hope he will follow these golden advices if he does so, the future Pakistan will be definitely a better Pakistan.
I agree with the statement "this is a different Pakistan" but in a different context. PML-N's Nawaz Sharif must handle things with precision and extra care. The last five years have proven to be a tough and not-so-golden time for Pakistan and have caused the regular people of Pakistan to keep a rigid eye on their government.
Very well written. MNS needs to listen to good advice. Last 5 years have proven that MNS has matured into a seasoned democrat. Now is time to prove it. He needs to levy tax on traders and select people on merit to head state corporations like PSM, PIA, PSO, Railways, OGDC, WAPDA, etc instead of the cronies that PPP chose who plundered and destroyed these corporations. The Energy sector needs honest professionals and so do regulatory bodies like SECP, CAA, CDA, LDA, HEC etc.
It’s hard to digest victory of PML-N with a thumping majority. But at the same time I understand realities are always bitter.
I wish, would be Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will win the hearts of people by serving us in an efficient manner.
Being a nation, we need to have patience as change doesn’t come overnight. Let’s be practical and give him chance to implement his policies which according to him are effective.
Good Luck PML-N. Go ahead! We are waiting for “Roshan Pakistan” and please shift your focus from Punjab to other Provinces as well and do some extra efforts for the future of whole nation. One more thing, Mr. PM, instead of blame game, try solving core issues through dialogues so the charm of Democracy remains!!
Extremely condescending tone....boring article. Nothing new as usual.
An ideal suggestion. :) I seriously wish that Nawaz Sharif actually reads this piece of advice, takes it into consideration and actually implements accordingly. Its high time now, the nation has seen much and wont tolerate any more. However, the question is; will we see any change from his previous tenures? Only time will answer. Lets hope the best for our Pakistan.
Yeah, "Pen is mightier than the Sword" - this old proverb seems to be true in today's context as the Media seems to gain strength in our country. Also, no one can undermine media as it is considered as the 4th pillar of the State. While, the issues highlighted by the Writer should be taken into consideration by the “Elected Government.” But apart from this, the Parties (coming into power) should keep in mind that the power is granted to them by the public and basically a second chance given by the public makes you want to work even harder this time. Moreover, the people should also keep in minds that “Change” is good but it’s not easy (basically it takes time). After all, I pray that May under the supervision of New Governance instead of Model Province we will accomplish the dream of a Model Country ...
Excellent and very constructive and crisp guidance to Mian Sb. He has the mandate of the people and he has to now prove himself worthy of this mandate. Following the 'spot on' recipe of success given by Kamal Siddiqi is the way to go about doing it.
That is a lot of hope we are hanging on
Well articulate.
Kamal Sahab... You just took the words out of the public's mind and onto the paper. The suggestions provided for the (thrid time to be) Premier, are what we all think necessary for the development of the country. However, the question that still remains is, will the Premier read this article? Or if he reads, will he follow your suggestions? Only time will tell...
i wish if previous govt had done some thing on these issues for next govt to move ahead. For Nawaz Sharif, he will have to start from scraches to tackle these issues. I will suggest that he should work on energy sec for first year so that some thing is available for industries and economic activities to revive. Simultaneously, an institutional frame work can be build to give soft loans for youth. This body must evaluate the requests for loans and give them approval. Funds for this plan can be provided in 2014 budget.
Excellent article Kamal. I hope our new PM has a more mature head on his shoulders this time round.
Its easier said than done! With split mandate, federation is is a deeper problem as compared to the previous government. Sharif's record from 1999 is not that transparent, moreover Pakistan faces much bigger internal and regional issues.
Until yesterday statements from Raiwind were not harsh. Lets see how dialogue between political parties shape-up. First stage is to deal with the formation of government in the center and in provinces, this will require stiff negotiations and compromises with partners!
Is Pakistan is going to face deeper instability in the next few months? Perhaps that is a million dollar question for all of us!
Our WESTERN mountains hold the key to him moving any others he desires to. And I'm sorry to say he has been very confused/cleverly silent in airing his views how he intends dealing with that area (he got a shabashi Mubarak for the elections very quickly from a MAJOR player in that area)..and if he foregoes his party's plans (as we are hearing) of forming a government in KPK, he probably wants someone to point fingers at, if he is 'summoned'. Let him also not forget that when 'he' moved mountains in CHAGHI in 1998,someone was not happy,and later events have kept us on the watch list. Again, when a war was fought in the mountains in the NORTH, he got into trouble with many people. So... I doubt this PLAINS dweller has what it takes to MOVE mountains. And as for 'mandate', that helped him not one little bit in Oct 1999. Best of luck Mian Sahab.
You are one great optimist Mr Siddiqi
PML-N given Nawaz's personal experience in 1999 and the quail Ty of mandate he has received is in a better positi on than any other civilian government has been in the past to RBI ng the army truly under civilian control and change Pakistan from a national security state to a social security state. If he succeeds, the biggest beneficiaries will be Pakistanis themselves. But India too will benefit greatly.
I hope he succeeds.
The writer has been successfully able to point out all the issues which lie ahead of our future Prime Minister Mr. Nawaz Sharif, and alongside that he has also highlighted the immense level of expectations and responsibilities which are associated to Mr. Sharif's office now. Let us hope that our new PM is able to come up to everyone's ideals regarding the government system. The Pakistani people have gone through all the tricks in the book which the corrupt and largely incompetent government of 2008 had to play, and now Mr. Sharif faces a more aware and mobile public, which would not hesitate to go to the streets if he is not able to satisfy the needs to the general masses. Change has taken place, yes. But with a strong opposition, an agile media, and a responsive public, Mr. Sharif needs to make sure that he plays his cards right to help in getting Pakistan out of the plunges of poverty, economic instability, lack of security and other multiple plethora of problems which its people face today.
Very well written. I totally agree with all the points that the writer has put down in this write up.
The Pakistani's of "today" are more informed and aware of everything thanks to the media majorly, in short, THEY CAN NO MORE BE FOOLED. Nothing can be hidden anymore, so our new prime minister should remember this. He should do his best to impress the public by actually working for this nation. Disappointing even one portion of the Pakistan can bring the public out for protests and create a situation for the government. They have finally learned how to raise their voices.
Most importantly, he should focus on Pakistan as a whole, and not just Punjab. Or else, people will just carry on saying "All that Nawaz Shareef did in his government was to get the motorway constructed."
Good Luck Mr. PM. Although no official announcements have been made yet, but nonetheless, he announced it himself during the night of 11th May 2013.