Why PML-N should form the next

Pakistan is at the cross roads facing serious existential problems, with an economy in dire straits and a possible default possible. All macroeconomic indicators are at their worst. We have the highest budget deficit in our history resulting in unprecedented borrowing and printing of currency. This has led to consistent double digit inflation during the entire period of this government.
High inflation and extremely low growth has broken the back of the people, resulting in large segment of the population going below the poverty level. Foreign exchange reserves have already depleted significantly, which will further deplete as the repayments to IMF are to be made over the next year or so. The total debt has more than doubled during the tenure of this government. In short, the economic situation could not have been worse and any chance of economic revival in the short-term looks grim.
On the political front, situation is tense. The decision to issue an ordinance for local government in Sindh has resulted in an open confrontation which could generate serious ethnic tension in the province. Reviving local government and planning polls of the same just months before the general election is not understandable. The PPP is also playing a very dangerous game with regard to the new provinces in Punjab for cheap short-term gains.
The government does not have writ over large parts of Balochistan, KP and Karachi. People are being killed with impunity and the state is either looking the other way or does not want to take on the powerful interests and political groups. As a result of the government’s inaction , the minorities have come under extreme pressure in recent months. Add to this, the sectarian violence and the total collapse of the state machinery is evident. The regional situation, including our relations with Afghanistan, is even worse. The drone attacks continue unabated, so too are the terrorist attacks within Pakistan. Under US pressure, Pakistan is contemplating military action in North Waziristan, which has the probability of more suicide and terrorist attacks within Pakistan. In such a scenario, the forthcoming elections are extremely crucial and the choice that Pakistanis make will ultimately determine whether Pakistan comes out of this malaise or will further sink.
The question is: what are the available options? Most countries have standard two party systems – the party in power feels, like it has happened in Pakistan, it is voted out and replaced by the opposition party. Pakistan has a much more complex setup. Apart from the opposition, there is always a talk of military intervention to “ sort out” things. The country has experienced it four times, so we cannot completely rule out that “ choice ”. However, chances of that happening are very slim considering the declared statement from the Supreme Court not to accept any unconstitutional intervention. Also the media and civil society are much stronger than any time in our history. And in any case, military , as seen in the past, creates more problems than it solves and is, therefore , not a viable solution. And most important, there is general consensus that General Kayani, being a true professional, is not interested in such a venture.
With the PPP out of contention because of its poor performance, the other political option is PTI. It seemed for a while that the PTI would emerge as a reasonable third option but the blunders committed by Imran Khan and its leadership have greatly undermined its appeal. Within a matter of months, the party has seen several leading politicians joining the party only to leave it for various reasons. We all know what Imran Khan stands against but we do not know what he stands for. For the last seven to eight months , the party has been taken over by the opportunists from other parties. The ideological workers have been sidelined, some of whom are now questioning whether Imran Khan really stands for the change?
Depending upon the situation, Imran would readily change his position. Altaf Hussain was murderer one day and was portrayed as head of a revolutionary party the very next day, is just one example of his immaturity and inconsistency.
Imran Khan, in any case, has no solutions for the very complex challenges confronting Pakistan. For him, everything can be resolved in 30-90 days, whether it is spread of Information Technology or eliminating corruption or amicably resolving the decade-old war on terror. So clearly, the PTI is not an option and Pakistan can ill afford an experiment.
That leaves just the PML ( N), when given a chance in the 90’s to govern Pakistan, it more than delivered on all fronts. Major reforms in the banking sector, taxation, foreign exchange regulations, telecom sector, import and export, aviation, industry and other segment of business were unprecedented and breath-taking . Major thrust was on privatization and deregulation. As a result, economy boomed with GDP growth touching 8 percent in 1992, which was the highest for any civilian government since independence.
Although the taxes were lowered for all segments, including corporate sector , yet by 1999 Pakistan had achieved tax to GDP ratio of 13.4 per cent, which has now fallen to just 9 percent and is a major stumbling block towards investment in social sectors as well as infrastructure projects.
On foreign relations front, major policy initiatives were undertaken, including the peace process with India culminating in Vajpayee’s visit to Pakistan in Feb 1999 and the signing of the Lahore Declaration. If the Kargil adventure was not undertaken, the Lahore Declaration would have enabled Pakistan and India to forge closer trade and economic relationship with millions on both side of the border benefiting from the economic boom. Also, Pakistan’s defence was made impregnable by the bold decision to go nuclear. This was in spite of the pressure from the world leaders including the President of United States. With the defence of the country ensured, Pakistan would have moved much faster towards economic prosperity, but for the military intervention in 1999.
Pakistan faces enormous challenges today but there is also an opportunity as we look forward to the 2013 elections If Pakistan is make the right choice, which we are sure they will, it could mean the beginning of recovery in all areas. With the right focus from the leadership, clearly defined goals & objectives and a highly professional team, PML-N is determined to bring about fundamental and far reaching changes in the economic and political landscape of Pakistan. We need to complete the process of change that was started by the PML-N leadership in the 1990’s.

The writer is member of PML-N Media and Manifesto Committees and former CFO IBM Middle East and Africa.