- Checking progress
The PM’s Lahore trip turned out a little short on specifics of the 100 day plan, unfortunately, but it was long, once again, on Imran Khan’s vision about the bureaucracy and grass root democracy. Instead of a breakdown and specifics about the revolutionary plan, civil servants got another lecture on the evils of political interference while the politicians were reminded of the benefits of an effective local government system. And, of course, if Pakistan could function effectively in the 60s it can do so again.
That is all very well and nobody in their right mind would disagree with the prime minister’s vision, even if some take his desire to turn Pakistan into a Madina like Islamic welfare state with a pinch of salt. True, the bureaucracy is corrupt to the core and broken down, seemingly, beyond repair. But since reforms have been on PTI’s agenda since well before even the 2013 election, and it has now been in power for a few days, it was expected that its radical plan would already be rolled out by now. Instead, the same speech every time with very little action indicates that the party has not really done any constructive homework on the subject so far; it has just maintained criticism as policy.
The same can be said of local governments, and almost all other crucial policy matters. The finance minister, for example, hinted at a very quick plan of action upon assuming office to keep the market from falling prey to uncertainty. But since becoming the minister he’s just kicked the can further down the road, especially on the central matter of the bailout, further aggravating investors and keeping the market choppy. Imran has been prime minster long enough now to realise actions speak louder than words when you are in the big seat. He has made a big deal about how everybody else has let the country down, and just why he will be the problem solver. Yet so far the new ruling party seems to struggle to find its feet. It must immediately address concerns about its core policy and present quantifiable benchmarks about its ambitious 100 day plan.
