N aiming for finish line
This, of course, is the longest that the N-league has been in power. There was the odd hiccup on the way, like Imran’s long dharna, but nothing substantial has been put in its path so far. The Panama controversy could still, technically, go either way; but it’s too soon to call. Otherwise the quality of its governance may well leave a little something to be desired, but it seems sure enough to reach the finish line this time. But there are good reasons that not many have been happy over these three years.
On the domestic front PML-N can boast little so far save its trademark mega projects. These, unfortunately, are the bulk of its economic policy as well. Long gone are the days when Nawaz Sharif would promise ‘revolution’ in taxes and exports. We would raise revenue indigenously and then embark on a sustained GDP growth drive, etc, we were told on the campaign trail. But all that’s been achieved three years later is a four-point-something rate; and the figure is becoming increasingly controversial. In fact, some of the figures presented in the budget have been objected to so much that the government might be forced into an investigation.
The foreign front, on the other hand, has been a complete disaster, especially of late. The Quadrilateral Coordination Group (QCG) is effectively dead and it’s all but back to daggers drawn with the Afghans. The Indian peace process never made it off life support after Pathankot. And the Americans are very unhappy. The Balochistan drone strike was not just an isolated incident. It was a deep, very serious message, which coincided with the F16 snub and added focus on Dr Afridi and the Haqqani Network. The security policy, too, is not in very good shape. The Zarb-e-Azb part is fine, but the civilian portion of NAP is nowhere to be seen. All that PML-N might achieve by going all way, therefore, is continuation of the democratic cycle. Little beyond that seems in tip-top shape.