Politics of reconciliation held the country together
The PPP co-chairman has got the party back in the main news with a bang, to say the least. After the letdown from the prime minister, though, senior party members – who backed Asif Zardari’s aggression – were seen going about damage control. Soon the leadership is due in Punjab where they will try, once again, to revive party fortunes.
But with the head-to-head with the brass (especially when the government is not helping), the party still in disarray (especially in Punjab), and the province’s local government elections not far away, how are PPP big guns positioning themselves?
DNA talked to PPP Punjab president, Mian Manzoor Ahmad Wattoo.
Question: What are your views on the controversial recent speech of former President Asif Zardari?
MAW: It needs to be seen that PPP is the largest political party, which has struggled since its inception for establishing democracy in its true essence, for the rule of law and to strengthen the institutions. Like every patriotic party PPP is also with the army, which is fighting the war against terror.
As far as the speech was concerned, PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari was misunderstood. It is extremely unfair to declare Zardari’s speech as anti-army when he only told ‘some institutions’ to perform their duties according to their mandate.
PPP and its leadership believes in politics of reconciliation and not confrontation. How could you term the speech of the person who is the founder of ‘reconciliation policy’ to be confrontational?
We are the only party with a clear stance against militants and militancy as our chairman Bilawal also gave the policy statement that no talks could be held with the terrorists because they are neither Muslims nor Pakistanis. PPP is standing with the army in the war against terrorism and we will continue supporting them.
Today, the people of Pakistan are facing problems like poverty, terrorism, corruption, unemployment, access to, and poor quality of education and health services and, urbanisation
Q: Why is the PML-N government reluctant to hold local government elections?
MAW: The PML-N government delayed the local government elections because they do not want to decentralise power to the grassroot level and they want the billions of development funds to be at their disposal. It is the only reason in the delay of local government’s elections which I can see.
Q: Why are local government elections important?
MAW: Today, the people of Pakistan are facing problems like poverty, terrorism, corruption, unemployment, access to, and poor quality of education and health services and, urbanisation. These are common national issues and cannot be tackled without local as well as provincial and national response and action. Essentially, action locally reflects where people are based, where such issues are manifest and where the needs of people are felt and must be addressed.
We believe that strong and effective democratic local government is the best way of ensuring true democracy and good governance. Lack of devolution of political, administrative and financial powers to local governments limits the decision making process of the local government and their ability to deal with the petty and chronic issues as well as providing effective services.
The PML-N’s government needs to recognise the importance of empowering local governments and take steps to make them more independent and accountable to the citizens.
Q: Is PPP ready for local government elections?
MAW: We are ready for the upcoming local government elections in Punjab where the masses are supporting us in huge numbers. I am sure PPP will emerge victorious in many districts.
Q: Will PPP stick to its policy of reconciliation?
MAW: Yes, PPP will stick to its policy of reconciliation and the credit goes to former President Asif Zardari for coming up with the reconciliation policy in 2008 after losing Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, which ensured the smooth transition to democracy. Despite criticism from even within the party the co-chairman stuck to reconciliation, which proved to be of paramount importance as it was the need of the hour. Indeed it saved democracy and institutions of Pakistan.
We have been attacked several times by foreign forces. The country has already been divided by differences in language, appearance, and living styles. Since Pakistan has gone through turbulent phases time and again, several parts of the country remained deprived of basic facilities. Political instability has been a core reason for not having unity and harmony in the country. Keeping in mind several grave problems the previous government of PPP came up with an absolute idea to cement the diffused mindset in the country. If there would be unity amongst the country no foreign force will weaken the spirits, sovereignty shall be protected and the country will move on the road to success.
Pakistan’s political scenario has evolved asymmetrically over the past few decades. Due to improper governance systems people have been distracted. Considering such scattered opinion, PPP came up with a solution to bind them all; movements which were not only envisaged to bring peace and progress amongst the masses but were also envisioned to provide opportunity to several political parties to provide their services for the greater good of the country.
The policy of reconciliation was thought out to up lift mutual understanding for the progress of Pakistan. PPP continues to embody true democratic values in the county.
To date, it has let people and masses raise their voice and implement welfare policies to improve their lives. It was due to the reconciliation policy that PML-N could form a government in Punjab. And MQM could be part of governmental body in Sindh. Similarly, efforts were made by the PPP to lessen the claims of Balochistan of being deprived of government’s regard towards its core problems. Ever since independence the province of Baluchistan has been the victim of negligence which in turn has provoked its people to develop feelings of estrangement grief. Meanwhile foreign invaders started to play their cards to create agitation among the people. But PPP, with its “Baluchistan package” after coming to power in 2008, brought fresh hope to the province. The name given to the package was Aghaz-e-Haqooq-e-Balochistan (AHB) package; which was aimed at addressing the sense of alienation, grief and deprivation and to provide privilege to the people of Baluchistan with political, cultural and economic rights.
The Federal Budget 2015-16 was hopeless because it was anti-poor, anti-labour, anti-farmer and anti-government servants, because it did not include any worthwhile measures to provide relief to the poor segments of the society
Co-chairman Asif Zardari considers the policy of reconciliation in the “greater interest of the nation”, it should never be taken as the weakness of the party.
Q: How do you see the federal budget 2015-16? Was it pro-poor?
MAW: The Federal Budget 2015-16 was hopeless because it was anti-poor, anti-labour, anti-farmer and anti-government servants, because it did not include any worthwhile measures to provide relief to the poor segments of the society.
The interest free loans introduced by the government to the farmers for the installation of solar tube wells is impracticable because it is impossible for the poor farmers to contribute 0.1 million to avail the credit facility from the banks.
In PPP’s tenure it was decided that the government will provide 50 percent subsidy and the rest of the amount will be contributed by the government through its Agricultural Development Bank for the installation of solar tube wells. They did not allocate sufficient amounts for the Bhasha and Dasu Dams, which should have been the top priority of the government as it would have helped in producing cheaper electricity for industry and domestic consumers and providing water to irrigate millions of acres of barren land.
Our government allocated Rs40 billion for Bhasha Dam and PML-N’s government only allocated Rs12 billion, which clearly reflects the level of commitment towards hydel projects of multiple purposes which are of immense importance.
Q: What will be the impact of Bilawal’s tour to Punjab?
MAW: The PPP workers and leaders are very excited to welcome the chairman and anxiously waiting for his arrival, which will be a breath of fresh air for the politics of Punjab. The chairman’s trip will help in mobilising the jiyalas. And it will have a huge impact on politics in the days to come.