PPP destined to raise Pakistan from ashes

It is not known what was the idea behind including red colour in the PPP flag at the time of its inception. This red colour has been predominant over PPP since the very beginning. Some times the blood of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, sometimes the blood of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and the blood of thousand of unknown workers has embellished the destiny of PPP. Now the government has issued a report on its performance during the last two years and every page of it reflects the red glow of that blood.

This book has been produced by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. On the basis of my experience in Publishing I can testify to the fact that it is an exquisite and well-presented production. Usually the government publications leave much to be desired but this book looks eye-catching from every aspect. Even a cursory glance at its three hundred pages gives the impression that those who compiled it, have included every document which can help a researchers.

For example, at the end of the book even a facsimile of the signatures of the member of the constitutional committee has been given. Somewhere in the middle photo images of the London agreement and PPP manifesto have also been included. It presents facts and figures about every sphere of life.

Whether you want to review the performance of the parliament, a recount of the successes against war on terror, headway made in the field of foreign affairs, hear the sound of a silent revolution in the social sector, an account of the political struggles or listen to the echo of media revolution, then read this book. It offers an array of trailblazing facts.

Normally a book begins with a preface but this report commences with a write-up by the executive editor. It is matter of rejoicing that the Information minister Qamar Zaman Kaira in his capacity as the executive editor has become entitled to join the fraternity of the journalists. Kaira claims that at a time when the country is confronted with grave challenges from all sides, the coalition government in the centre has achieved bewildering successes. The people gave their mandate to the PPP to form the government two years ago, when a dictator had pushed the country to the edge of a precipice.

The people believed that PPP was the only party which could win a lost war against terror, resolve all disputes amicably, protect the constitution, strengthen the federation, return their rights to the provinces and protect the fundamental human rights. The world has seen that under the stewardship of PPP the federal government has re-hoisted the Pakistan flag in the places where terrorists and religious extremists ruled the roost and the writ of the government was almost non-existent.

As regards protection of the constitution, the government has restored the spirit of the 1973 Constitution by removing all the distortions introduced during the dictatorial regime, through eighteenth amendment enjoying national consensus. For the first time, the judiciary has become independent and every institution is functioning within its constitutional confines.

The people of Gilgit-Baltistan and NWFP have found new identities. The support prices of the agricultural products have been doubled so that the farmers can also afford higher education for their children, have a better living standard and benefit from the health facilities. The government has promoted freedom of expression and is encouraging all kinds of criticism. Every body is feeling the arrival of the media revolution. The government is conscious of the fact that whatever the people are getting, it is their right and not a charity.

Kaira has conceded that the credit for these achievements does not go to the PPP and its coalition partners only. Rather, it is a national triumph to which every party, group, organization and individual has contributed in its own way. In fact the credit for these successes is attributable to the people of Pakistan.

Democracy has a sweet reward which requires patience and perseverance. Who can appreciate this reality better than Pakistan which has rendered invaluable sacrifices for it? Who can better understand than the PPP which has sacrificed its priceless assets for democracy, freedom of expression and protection of fundamental human rights.

According to this report, the people’s government was confronted with four challenges when it assumed office. First was to structure the state on democratic lines, the second was elimination of Talibanisation, third was strengthening the federation and forth was the economic reforms. The government had two important documents in the form of CoD and PPP manifesto to guide it in coping with the first challenge.

In addition to this it also had to deal with consequences of the tragic assassination of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto. During the dictatorial regime, the media, judiciary and the people faced severe restrictions and the repeal of those measures presented a challenge of its own. The government initiated its responses through better planning and workable strategies. The process of returning their rights to the people made an auspicious beginning.

The government unleashed an un-ending trail of successes through Aghaze Haqooq-e-Balochistan, NFC Award, new identity to Gilgit-Baltistan, Benazir Income Support Scheme aimed at poverty alleviation and grant of ownership rights to the industrial workers.

Successful military action in Swat and safe return of IDPs to their homes enhanced the prestige of the government. For the first time in the history of Pakistan, any military operation had an unqualified support of the people and the government. Half of the country was opposed to the military action in East Pakistan. Military operations were also repeatedly launched in Sindh and Balochistan without any worth mentioning success.

The present government learnt from the mistakes of the past history and waged a war with the backing of the people and the army. As a result of this campaign Pakistan was able to extricate itself from the pressure which had been hanging on its head like a sword of Damocles in the form of “Do More” demands.

Now Pakistan is in a position to ask the world to “Do More”. Today the world is appreciative of the role that Pakistan has played and is sensitive to its predicaments. The IMF, Friends of Pakistan and World Bank are forthcoming in playing their role in conformity with the needs of Pakistan.

The concept of supremacy of Parliament has been given importance for the first time and during the last two years the government has presented every issue in the Parliament. It is a matter of record that the present Parliament has so far considered and approved thirty-four bills which is unprecedented. The fulfilment of the promise for an independent judiciary was set in motion by Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani in his first speech which culminated on 16th March last year.

The black Pemra law was also withdrawn by this government and the media representative persuaded to devise the parameters of their own freedom. The government welcomes the media criticism and cannot think of putting curbs on it.

No matter how well the PPP government may perform, it is never considered enough. Firstly, at the outset the appreciation is invariably reserved. Secondly, it has been written in PPP’s destiny to raise Pakistan from the ashes like “Phoenix”.

In 1971 When Bhutto Shaheed formed the government, the country had been split into two. In 1988 when Benazir came into power, the national solidarity was in tatters due to the eleven-year dictatorial rule of General Zia. In 2008 when the mantle of running the country fell on the shoulders of President Zardari, the entire fabric of the country was stained with blood. PPP is playing the role of a saviour (Messiah). This is a very arduous undertaking and the nation is expecting miracles to happen.