AS the polling day is fast approaching, leaders of different political parties are trying to woo the masses by making pledges to improve their lot in the face of grave economic conditions of the country, growing poverty and the need for substantial relief for the inflation ridden people. There is no doubt that the major parties have announced their manifestos but these are not being taken seriously by the masses because of their bitter experience of the past when no worthwhile success was made to realize pledges made and goals set in similar documents.
PML(N) leader Mian Nawaz Sharif, who has been described as ‘king of comebacks’ in an election analysis by the BBC concluding that he is a clear front runner to win the February 08 polls, has vowed to lower prices of flour, sugar and vegetables besides a thirty percent reduction in electricity tariff as committed in the party manifesto. The electoral situation is not crystal clear and no one can say with certainty what kind of mandate the parties would receive and what would be the ultimate shape of the future government. There are, however, indications that the major parties will have to secure support of other parties and lure in a maximum number of independents to form the government. There is no denying the fact that tenures of MNS were comparatively better than those of other parties in terms of developmental activities, employment opportunities and ease of life. The PML(N) Government led by Nawaz Sharif performed so well after the 2013 elections that the party, according to all projections, was poised to win 2018 elections but breakdown of the Result Transmission System (RTS) made all the difference. It was because of tangible progress made by his government to stabilize the economy, address the chronic issue of energy shortage and implement country-wide developmental activities that made a sitting government popular to expect clear victory in elections. As MNS has necessary experience and has a team of capable people, he can surely contribute towards resolution of the core issues of the country and major concerns of the masses. However, what the coalition government did during his tenure after the fall of the PTI government is not a proud legacy especially in respect of the impact of the bitter decisions on the lives of the people. There is no doubt, the coalition government was able to avert the dreaded default and put the country back on track but at a cost that is becoming unaffordable for PML(N), which was leading the coalition. Mindful of the fact that youth could play a decisive role in the electoral battle; MNS is also trying to appeal to them by promising different programmes for their welfare, especially creation of employment opportunities. Meanwhile, in a passionate address to an election rally in Shikarpur, former Foreign Minister and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari outlined a comprehensive economic plan aimed at steering the country out of its current economic crisis. He expressed confidence that the people recognise the PPP’s commitment to addressing their issues and asserted his determination to eliminate poverty, inflation and unemployment once in office. PPP is definitely remembered as a pro-poor and pro-employees party as it took a number of measures to improve their lot during its tenures but the overall economic management of the party was not impressive. It is, therefore, a big question mark how it would translate its pledges into practical actions in the absence of a workable plan to put the economy on the right path. As for PTI, it too has announced a manifesto that focuses more on political, legal and constitutional issues and this is understandable because of the circumstances that the party finds itself in these days. However, despite its tall claims before 2018 elections that it has a team and a plan to revolutionize the economy and the system to lay foundations of a New Pakistan it could not bring about a change for the better in the life of the common man and instead sufferings of the people increased during its tenure due to unbridled inflation. Plans and claims of parties notwithstanding, people of Pakistan expect that the new Government would prioritize resolution of their problems like skyrocketing inflation; lack of employment, health and educational opportunities; deteriorating civic facilities, rising street crimes and rampant corruption.
