THE process of formulation of new government in Pakistan has been completed after election of new Prime Minister and chief ministers of all provinces. On March 10, 2024, new President, Mr Asif Ali Zardari as-sumed the charge of President of Pakistan, thus completing the entire election process 2024 in the Federa-tion of Pakistan as well as in four federating units. The Coalition Government in Pakistan has many respon-sibilities and obligations with respect to bringing political stability and economic revival of the country. A split mandate without a clear majority to any of the political party and formulation of a coalition govern-ment with two main political parties, taking the lead role has many challenges ahead.
The first and foremost challenge is; whether the collation partners are sincere to each other and willing to perform towards political stability of Pakistan and economic uplift of the state and the masses. This aspect is going to be the foundation of entire political process in the Pakistan. Commitment with state and people of Pakistan for their betterment will decide the fate of the state and coalition partners. It would be more appropriate to include other political parties in the Government for making it as an inclusive government representing all political forces to be called as National Consensus Government.
Upon attaining the first challenge as mentioned above, the next step would be the devotion and selfless dedication for serving the state and its masses without asking for undue perks and privileges. This will be a sincere step towards good governance, the most needed aspect in the governance system of Pakistan. Pakistani ruling elites have been found wanting in ensuring Good Governance in the country since last three decades. The political instability, economic destitution, social unrest and diplomatic estrangement are indeed, the outcomes of the bad governance in the country. This challenge can be overcome through self-control, a spirit of national and public service and establishing meritocracy for winning the hearts and minds of the masses without any political, ethnic, religious/ sectarian and provincial affiliations. In fact, through such a mechanism, the new government can establish a transparency and a system of ac-countability. The reality check of this phase will start from how much perks and privileges the minister class would get from the state, since most of them are from affluent class of the society who can afford their expenses themselves. This is the litmus test for new Government which would dictate its self-sacrificing approach towards national and public issues of Pakistan. A strict self-control over the perks and privileges of ruling elites (ministers and advisors) would enable them to control the unabated expenditures of the bureaucracy of Pakistan which has been an un-accountable class in Pakistan ever since the formative years of Pakistan.
The huge expenditures on the non-developmental sectors and personal entertainments of the ruling elites and bureaucracies are the real challenge for the economic uplift of Pakistan. This tax-payers public money should not be misused for the amusement of the few ruling elites at any cost. Indeed, owing to social me-dia, the people of Pakistan are more aware about any unauthorised expenses. The new Government must put a ban on these non-essential expenditures through legislation by amending any such rules, if these exist in reality. Such practices are great burden on the national economy of Pakistan, hence needs immedi-ate attention and remedial measures. Addressing these issues would be a great confidence building meas-ure (CBM) between new Government and the people of Pakistan.
Upon establishment of Political stability and undoing the non-essential expenditures on non-developmental projects, the prevalent challenge for the new Government would be to devise a mechanism to get-rid of IMF loans and loans and aids from friendly countries and international financial organizations. In this regards, an economic revival plan was already formulated in June 20, 2023. This plan was named as, Economic Revival Plan-2023. The primary focus of the plan was, “harnessing the country’s untapped poten-tial in key sectors”. The planned was based on indigenous development, making use of local resources, besides attracting foreign investments primarily from GCC states. Pakistan Army was taken on board for making it a success. At that time, General AsimMuneer, Chief of the Army Staff assured the Federal Government for an all-out support of the Military in the implementation of the plan. He offered services of the Military for revival of Pakistan’s economy for reclaiming Pakistan’s rightful place in the comity of the nations. In order to stream-line the procedures for implementation of the plan, a ‘Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC)’ was also established. SIFC was to work for the streamlining of economy by removing all the bottlenecks which create hindrances in investment. As outlined at the that time, it’s salient are; promotion of export-oriented foreign direct investments (FDIs) where country’s untapped potential in key sectors of; defence production, agricultural, livestock, minerals and mining, information technology and energy will be fully utilized.
An indigenously conceived economic developmental model by making optimum use of the local resources will be the best way forward for the economic revival of Pakistan on short, medium and long-term basis. The process must involve a simultaneousattraction of foreign direct investment. Under the slogan of “one government” and “collective government” the economic revival model will operate through a mechanism of collaboration between the Centre and provinces for timely decision-making and implementation proc-esses by undoing any hurdle or barrier in the way of investment and promotion of business activities.
The New Pakistani Government must take a new start by undoing the past legacies through an all-inclusive approach. Let’s take the people of Pakistan on board through national economic revival plan while simulta-neously promoting national integration and social harmony in the country.
— The writer is Professor of Politics and IR at International Islamic University, Islamabad.
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