Source: Dawn
NUMEROUS articles had appeared around the 90- to 100-day mark of the PML-N government to review its initial performance, in line with Western traditions.
Recognising how slowly things move in developing countries, I had decided that six months would be a more meaningful period even for an initial review and had consequently held my fire back then. As the government now completes its six months, it seems appropriate to review its initial performance.
Misbah-ul-Haq, Pakistan’s cricket captain, has earned the unfortunate nickname of Mr Tuk-tuk due to his slow batting and defensive captaincy. At the six-month mark, ‘tuk-tuk’ governance seems an appropriate title for the governance style of the PML-N given its slow pace and defensive manner in dealing with critical national problems.
It is a balanced analysis. TUK TUK approach is mainly due to incorrect priorities. In Pakistan, first of all, civil government has to get its approval from military brass. Until couple of days ago many theories were in the air. Fortunately military command changed peacefully. New COAS has been picked with exclusive liking of PM and his close aids. He did so once in the past also. Now getting relief from this very important aspect, PM has opened up many other irrelevent fronts. Trial of Pervez Musharraf is an obvious example. This is just one example. To me Civil Elite is investing most of its energies on wrong and less important issues. Terrorist activities and target killings are still routine. Missing persons yet not found. IK of PTI fond of Dharnas rather than of solving other urgent public issues. This is the main reason even after six months nothing is visible for the solutions of the problems which you have very amicably pointed out. So just try to live with this Tuk Tuk Approach.
There is no sign of Unity in Pakistan. In other countries, people fight till elections. After that they cooperate and work together helping the winning party.
In Pakistan, the ruling and opposition parties can never work together for the benefit of the public.
There are hell of problems in Pakistan. Nawaz Sharif is trying to solve them. But will he be successful? There is no hope. He might not even survive for long. He does not know the right way.
It is right time for him to control the religious groups now. After a few years, it will be too late. Then he (or his party) will be needing votes again from the Mullas. He will not be able to do anything then.
Now is the time that Nawaz Sharif, in cooperation with other parties, should amend the bad laws and the constitution. A country lives by its laws. If the laws are bad then there is no safety, survival for any one.
Nawaz Sharif should settle on some terms with Imran Khan and PPP about amending the bad laws.
Another danger for Nawaz is the various religious groups in the country. Those grops are in large number, quite dangerous for Nawaz. They are Tahir ul Qadri and Jama’at islami and Fazal ur Rehman group and many Brelvi groups.
Even though they are apparantly peaceful, they are danger to the government any time. So Government should start some conflict with them to test them and make them weak before it is too late. Test should be to know if they will help improve/ amendments in clauses of law to make it peaceful, useful for all citizen.