An Agenda for the New Government

This week, possibly today, we will have a new prime minister and a new government at the helm of affairs. There are many who are critical as to why a 19-year-old has been called in to name the leader for 160 million people. It is a genuine worry. But to be fair to all, he is the co-chairperson of the party and his appointment came at the behest of the CEC, which is a somewhat representative body of the PPP. We also know that the decision would not be entirely his. Also, given the blunders made by the more seasoned amongst us, maybe the youth are a better option.

Whoever takes over as prime minister of Pakistan, one would hope that they rise to the challenge. The new government will have a unique opportunity to chart the course of the country in the years to come. The overwhelming amount of goodwill that exists today is genuine, unlike in 1999 when we were told that the “silent majority” had approved of the change. This time round, the change has come from the people. And it is their expectations and aspirations that have to be addressed. Some advice needs to be given in the hope that some of this will be considered.

First of all, whoever is given the honour will be the prime minister of Pakistan, not of any one party, group or institution. The interests of the country, not of one province or profession would have to be kept in mind. One should not be protective of any one group of people or jump to their defence, as and when required, as if an attack on them is an attack on Pakistan.

Second, we are all Pakistanis. Of many languages, faith, ethnic, economic and social backgrounds. Do not ignore any one of us. Try to solve the problems of the people and the provinces regardless of who they are and what their grievances are. Take all people along with you. Do not try to “sort” people out.

Third, try not to make anything personal. It is not about us versus them. Not everyone may be with you, but don’t push them to be against you. Keep personal projections to a minimum. Discourage coming on the media, particularly the foreign media, at the drop of a hat. Discourage the tendency to talk only of yourself or project yourself as a saviour of the country. Do not go on trips abroad on every possibly occasion and if you do, take a few people. Also, try to stay at a reasonably priced hotel. Get those who accompany you from the media and corporate sector to pay for their accommodation.

In terms of governance, keep a small cabinet, but that comprising competent people. Cut down government spending estimated in billions of cars, houses, perks, that ministers and senior bureaucrats enjoy. These visible displays of wealth are what upset the people. In a country that has a poor public transport system, we cannot expect our leaders to fly in private jets. Sell them all. Our leaders should also travel in trains.

Also on the subject of governance, be wary of the bureaucrats and do not weaken the judiciary. With a supportive army chief in place, work towards a sensible working relationship with the military establishment. Be cautious of our intelligence agencies also who have no clue about how to stem the onslaught of suicide bombers but have files on almost all the country’s lawyers, journalists, politicians and “other trouble makers.”

Be very careful of how you work in the financial sector. A lot has been done to set things right here. People who did not say a thing when a former PM installed his old friends and colleagues in top banking and corporate positions are now going overboard in expressing fears that the new government would put its loyalists in place. Despite the political turmoil in 2007, the financial sector has been performing well. But there is room for improvement. For one, the cold war between the State Bank Governor and the Finance Ministry has to come to an end. Minimize interference here.

Privatization is a good thing but one must be wary of how it is done and who gets to buy. Take KESC as an example of how a good company bought a public sector utility and ignored it for two years while a “reputable” German engineering company made a mess of things. Now, more than two years on, we are asking why the investment that was promised to make the power situation in the country better was not made. The target of privatization is not only making some money. It is also to provide better quality of service at an affordable price to the people. Why are we losing the focus?

Leave the bigger problems for later. Forget Kalabagh and concentrate on smaller dams. Work on nation building and consensus. But solve the smaller problems. For the people, these are the bigger issues. Work on fighting corruption, but without setting up accountability bureaus and extra special courts. Strengthen the legal system.

Fight terrorism and crime not by hiring more policemen but by rightsizing the police force and improving the quality of the people being hired. Make the police chiefs accountable. Take away their guards and let them feel the insecurity of the people. Clean the roads in the cities and make sure the gutters don’t overflow. While this is technically the work of the local government, one should push for this from all quarters. Forget the bullet train and concentrate on providing safe and efficient public transport. Strengthen the railways system and put the NLC in its place. Bring water to the taps and not through the tankers. Break the transport, tanker, land, water, power and many other such mafias.

Finally, the two biggest challenges to the country come from inflation and poverty. For inflation, go hard against the profiteers, the adulterators and the hoarders. The military government has expressed its helplessness. One should not give up that easily. Many of these people may in fact have some connection with your party or your allies. But do not let that come in the way of action.

The people are watching. Widen the tax base so that the government does not overly rely on surcharges from petroleum and other sneaky indirect measures to meet their spending targets. All earning Pakistanis should pay tax. This is another major failure of the present government that despite all the tools at its disposal, it has not been able to widen the tax net significantly. Restart the tax survey that was abandoned seven years back. Also reign in government spending. Why are we spending on projects we don’t need?

Employment does not come from government jobs but from economic activity and the government setting the right atmosphere. Do not stuff loyalists into government departments. Generate employment by encouraging the private sector. Give the corporate sector a level playing field. Encourage companies to invest in Pakistan. Make sure the tax department does not harass them.

Address their issues of crime, counterfeit products, IPR violations and getting quick and speedy justice when disputes arise. Pakistan is a very promising market. Companies will flock here and provide jobs. At the same time, revamp the education system, so that we have a pool of skilled workers and not thousands of graduates who have no marketable skills. In the final analysis, build on the goodwill. Pakistanis are hopeful that the situation in their country will get better. They are hopeful of a brighter future and of better days ahead. For the political government, it is big task, But one that can be achieved through patience and perseverance. Let us begin, yet again, to work towards that goal.