Mohammad Jamil
Since 2008 elections, this is the third smooth transition through free and fair elections, and it would not be an exaggeration to say that military has proved over the past ten years that it is strong proponent of the democratic system in the country. Efforts were made to create an impression about manipulation of election process, which was part of international agenda to malign Pakistan military in order to tarnish the image of this elite institution. However, a few political elements have towed the line of international agenda to further their vested interests. This is not the first time that troops were deployed to provide security for the voters and polling staff, as it is part of an ongoing process in the electoral system in Pakistan. During the current general elections, military had pledged to play its due role in conducting transparent, free and fair and impartial elections in the country.
Military is a neutral institution entrusted by all political parties as well as by the masses to ensure free and secure polling. PML-N, PPP, PTI and all the rest of political parties had welcomed military deployment. Election Commission of Pakistan has also played commendable role in holding free and fair elections. Of course, the overall responsibility for conducting of smooth and fair election was of ECP, and Army only assisted ECP in exercise of its responsibility. Results have been announced by ECP staff and not related to Army in any case. Judiciary has performed its national and constitutional duty of ensuring justice and in no way was involved in manipulation of election process. There is a strong and visible change in the behavior of Pakistani people in that they have started questioning the time-tested political leaders for their failure in delivering to them over the past so many years.
This factor led to victory of PTI in General Election – 2018. Corruption being the most hated factor among the masses led to defeat of the political leaders in major political parties. Ideology and manifesto of political parties remained prime consideration for the masses to cast the vote. PTI followed a manifesto that puts the country on the way to development where a common man is provided with basic necessities of life like education, health and clean drinking water etc. The age old mindset of supporting the candidates on the basis of kinship and factionalism has been rejected by the masses. PML-N’s narrative of confrontation with the institutions has also been rejected. Anyhow, voting for truthful and honest leaders through a process of free and fair electoral process and rejection of feudals and godfathers will result in progress of the country and prosperity of the people.
People of Pakistan thronged polling stations in general elections and turnover of more than 55 per cent is indeed impressive. New government will be in place within few days; however it faces economic challenges vis-à-vis ballooning trade deficit and current account deficit, fiscal deficit, and unsustainable debt mountain. Providing education, health and utilities are priorities of the PTI which will form governments in the centre, PK and perhaps in Punjab. However, construction of dams is the major challenge, because water is indispensable to agriculture. It is a critical input into agriculture of a country especially when it is situated in an arid or semi-arid zone. Loss of storage capacity due to sedimentation in Tarbela and Mangla Dams is adversely impacting the agricultural production. Pakistan has to import edible oils, pulses and other food items because in the Pakistan does not produce enough to meet local demand.
Energy shortfall has blighted Pakistan with the result that industry in all the provinces could not function to its full capacity. PPP and PML-N governments relied on Independent Power Producers who used mostly furnace oil or other expensive fuel with the result that the cost of electricity became prohibitive. With the present tariff of Rs. 15 to Rs. 20 per unit, our industry cannot compete in the world market resulting in dwindling exports and adverse balance of trade. We have reached a situation where not one or two but a series of dams can save our lands from turning into deserts. How disturbing it would be for our farmers to see their lands uncultivated due to water shortage in a situation when 40-42 million acre feet water of Indus River goes waste in the sea annually, simply because we have no major dam to save this water.
