THE ruling PTI has released its two year performance report detailing successes achieved by the Government in the realms of economy, governance and foreign affairs. While Prime Minister Imran Khan, in an interview, proudly stated that during this period he tried to put the country on path to becoming a welfare state, Minister for Planning Asad Umar summed up achievements of the Government saying they stabilized economy after inheriting the worst external crises, faced down Indian threat after Balakot with courage and managed the biggest global COVID threat by successfully balancing lives and livelihoods. In their reaction to the performance report, opposition leaders saw it as ‘mismanagement of national affairs’ and an unmitigated disaster from foreign policy to economic affairs to the governance of the country.
PTI came to power with the slogan of change and its federal and provincial governments did initiate measures in different spheres of life for the purpose with varying degrees of success. The sincerity of the party and its leadership can be judged by the fact that the Government took a number of steps aimed at rectifying ills of the economy and helping the country stand on its own feet in the long run, risking the party’s popularity. Some of the policy actions and programmes were bitter for the people and added to their burden but it is hoped that these would start paying dividends at last. There is no doubt that due to PTI’s prudent policies the current account deficit dropped from $20 billion to $3 billion, which is not a mean achievement. The initiatives were focused on enhancing foreign exchange reserves and the government was successful in repaying Rs5,000 billion loans borrowed by past governments. It was because of these hard decisions and their impact that the country’s economy did not suffer as much losses as some other countries during Coronavirus crisis and is making progress instead, a fact being acknowledged by rating agencies and multilateral donors. Due to the government’s policies, economic observers and organisations like Moody’s, Fitch and Bloomberg have improved Pakistan’s rating sending positive message to prospective investors. The Government’s policy of handling the virus is also attracting global recognition and the cash assistance programme saved millions from hunger during height of the pandemic. It is all the more relevant to point out that the Government has been able to provide relief to the masses and different sectors of the economy despite financial constraints. On the foreign policy front as well, the Government, especially Prime Minister Imran Khan put across Pakistan’s point of view on different issues effectively. The cause of Kashmiri people has been projected, relations with the United States put back on rail, second phase of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) initiated, warmness is visible in ties with the Russian Federation and Pakistan’s business interests are effectively being watched. Prime Minister Imran Khan demonstrated mature leadership qualities by acting as per aspirations of the people in the aftermath of cowardly attack by Indians on Pakistani soil. Progress made on the issue of FATF is also important as the strategy adopted by the Government foiled designs of Pakistan’s enemies. It is because of handling of the difficult challenges that the Ministers, who explained and highlighted achievements of the Government at a press conference, claimed that PTI was poised to play a longer innings. There is no doubt that PTI has emerged as a powerful factor on the national political scene and it would remain there for a long time if it succeeds in delivering as per expectations of the masses. So far, it has managed things on broader scale but trickle-down effect of its policies and programmes is still not visible. A real change for the better in the life of the people would decide the political fate of PTI and other political parties. We cannot deny that people are facing enormous difficulties due to unprecedented price-hike and artificial shortage of food items, an issue that the Government has not been able to handle satisfactorily. Some of the actions of the Government have increased unemployment and that too at a time when overseas Pakistanis were also gradually returning home due to suppressed economic and commercial activities in the host countries. Much depends on improving governance and this can be done by appointing right person for right job and this should be done in a transparent manner.
