Without concrete steps, claims mean nothing
The President’s address to the joint session contained numerous promises to turn around the country. The President vowed to build Pakistan in accordance with Jinnah’s vision while rejecting extremist interpretations of the destiny of the country. One can only wish the government Godspeed but declarations of intent unaccompanied by action take one nowhere while they add to public cynicism regarding politicians’ promises. How can one end extremism when even the will to implement the NAP is lacking? Half a year after agreeing on the plan the only move made has been on two out of twenty points i.e., setting up of military courts which has been challenged in the SC and hanging those awarded capital punishment, who mostly turned out to be run-of-the-mill criminals rather than hardcore terrorists.
The relations between the Centre and the provinces improved under the previous government which piloted the 18th amendment extending the much demanded provincial autonomy and announced the landmark 7th NFC Award which considerably enhanced the share of the provinces in the federal divisible pool. The PML-N government has in fact been less receptive to provincial demands till threatened with agitation as PM’s belated clarifications on CPEC indicate. There was no fresh NFC Award this time because the demands were not accompanied with ultimatums. The PML-N government no doubt allowed the nationalists to lead the coalition government in Balochistan but did nothing to strengthen the provincial government against the powers that be.
Is the law and order really improving in Karachi and Balochistan? Things look like improving till one’s confidence is suddenly shaken by incidents like Safoora and Mastung killings. Over the last two years the government has talked a lot about putting life in NACTA without taking the required steps in the direction. Instead of lecturing the people on the importance of education, the government would do well to raise the allocation for the sector to at least four per cent. The foreign policy guidelines look fine but again will these be followed by concrete steps?
