Pakistan’s political landscape is currently quite volatile and you seem to have started a campaign against the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) government. With less than a year to the general election, some might argue that you could have waited — why do you think it has become necessary for you to start this campaign now?
Shahbaz Sharif: It’s ironic that we should now be accused of running a campaign against the government, when just a few months ago we were being termed a “Friendly Opposition”! The fact of the matter is that the PML-N entered its current electoral term with the earnest desire to fulfil its responsibilities in both Punjab and Islamabad. It was in this good faith that we joined the PPP Government in the centre, assuming that Benazir Bhutto’s husband [Asif Ali Zardari] would uphold her promises. We were shocked to find that this was not the case, and to avoid reneging on our own campaign vows to our voters, we were left with no choice but to leave the central coalition. Nevertheless, we did not attempt to destabilise the government; our Party felt that to weaken even the most disingenuous democratic government would be to open the doors to another potential dictatorship.
Now four years have gone by, and we find it impossible to turn a blind eye to the federal government’s utter disregard for all democratic norms and principles. Corruption charges and court cases have reduced confidence in the president, the prime minister and most of their cabinet to an all-time low, and the power crisis has brought the average Pakistani to his knees. We cannot sit idly by in the eye of this storm, and must urge the PPP to hold elections as early as possible, given that their term is substantially completed.
GN: You govern the most populous province of Pakistan — some would blame PML-N for the current political and economic failings (such as corruption or the power shortage) in Pakistan because you play the role of a friendly opposition. What is your take on this perception?
SS: As I said in my answer to your previous question, it is impossible to satisfy every critic. It is strange to suggest that the PML-N is a friendly opposition running a campaign against the federal government — it must be one or the other or, as in this case, neither. Circumstances in Pakistan change on a near daily basis. By not attempting to destabilise the government until now, we have acted in defence of democracy and our political institutions.
By beginning to pressure the government into early elections, we are acting in defense of the dignity of Pakistan and the needs of its people. Each has been a considered action, and has been part of our overall strategy of doing all we can to serve our country as sincerely as possible.
GN: What do you say about creating more provinces in Pakistan and do you think this proposal will help solve the administrative and economic problems?
SS: The PML-N is actually in favour of the creation of new provinces — just recently, we passed a resolution through the Punjab Assembly calling for the creation of a National Commission to address this issue.
But, the PML-N’s proposal will include new provinces formed on the basis of population, geography and the current accessibility of government. What we would not support is a division on ethnic or linguistic lines, since we believe that this will run counter to the original vision of Pakistan.
GN: What is the solution of the energy crisis in Pakistan and what steps is the Punjab Government taking to overcome this situation?
SS: The PML-N’s considered view is that Pakistan has sufficient power capacity to almost satisfy its current requirements, provided that it is utilised appropriately. We have given a number of suggestions to the federal government, and indeed the other provincial governments to overcome this crisis.
GN: The growing price of land, along with general inflation, has made it almost impossible for a common man to buy a house in Pakistan. What steps is the Punjab Government taking to address this challenge?
SS: Absolutely correct — the price of land has become unbearable for the average Pakistani. The only real solution to this problem is a holistic urban development strategy that allows our cities to expand upwards instead of outwards.
At a provincial level, the government of Punjab has launched two projects that will be of particular benefit to the prospective homeowner. The first is the Aashiyana Housing Scheme, which is essentially a government planned housing society sold to the consumer at subsidized rates, with purchasers selected by ballot out of a qualifying pool of interested parties. We are now establishing these housing societies across the province, particularly near our large urban areas. Our second major project — began as soon as I assumed office — has been to computerise land records and establish a proper land registry.
GN: The Punjab government has established the Daanish School System. Some have asked whether a parallel schooling system was necessary. Would it not have been better to inject this money into mainstream education system?
SS: It is true that we have a very large public school system, many elements of which are in constant need of repair. The annual budget for the School Department, at well over Rs 100 billion, is very substantial. The annual budget for the Daanish Schools, by comparison, is not even half a billion rupees. There is no question of this handful of schools being considered a parallel schooling system. What they are, is a new category of elite boarding schools for high potential students to allow them to differentiate themselves and break out of their socio-economic conditions. For those that are concerned with their costs, it is a little known fact that the cost of educating a child at a Daanish School is actually lower than the cost of educating a child at a number of existing public schools
GN: Overseas Pakistanis are the backbone of Pakistan’s economy, but they are always ignored by Pakistan’s governments. Are you taking any measures to address their requirements vis-à-vis housing, pension, investment and education?
SS: I agree with you that the Overseas Pakistanis have a vital role to play for Pakistan and that their true potential has not been rightly understood. On a personal level, I have been an overseas Pakistani myself, during my period of exile, and can attest that the love of one’s homeland is a beautiful thing that should be protected and nurtured.
‘Problem is, we don’t trust Zardari anymore’
