[author image=”http://hunzanews.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Akif-Abass.jpg” ]Akif Abass ACCA Member and CFA (USA based Financial Analyst Qualification) Level-3 Candidate.BSC, (Hons) Applied Accounting from Oxford Brookes University and done Master in Economics,Currently studied from IBA in Executive MBA program.[/author]
The First 200 days of PM Nawaz Sharif’s Government; Achievements at a glance
The May election in Pakistan was surprising for many. The clear majority victory of PML(N) was still not digestive for many political parties especially the PTI, who was expecting much better position in Punjab then achieved. Before the elections, the popular support was considered to be with the PTI but this was not translated into the final results. It was also probably also unexpected for the Mr. Nawaz Sharif, which he later in his interview acknowledged, to achieve clear majority in the assembly. That’s why they are immediately come out to the public, even before waiting for the final results to be come and celebrate his success.
Then the magic of Nawaz Sharif starts revealing many surprises. He immediately visits his rival Imran khan at hospital and enquiring about his health. These types of things were rarely seen in underdeveloped countries politics, where leaders are much aggressive against their rival especially to show to the public. But he continues to show reconciliatory stance and offer his main rivalry party PTI to make government in the KhyberPakhtoonkha Province, even though he is receiving strong offers from the second largest party there but he refused and clearly say that he respect the PTI mandate. This is not the end of his magic stick; he after serious consultations, despite the fact that he is the leading party in Balochistan Province backed the Nationalist parties for making the government. These miracles translate into the political stability in the country.
Continuing his action in political front, The Nawaz Sharif’s government from the beginning recognized economy as a major challenge. This is the reason he chose Mr. Ishaq dar, a veteran politico-economist, as a finance minister. His first task is to present budget for the year 2013-14, the budget is basically an aggressive one and allocate highest ever fund in PSDF. While to finance these, government has increased tax rates and other measures to increase budget. The government is still working on the proposal to remove tax reliefs. The government moves quickly to IMF to finance payments of the IMF loan taken by the previous government. On the other hand, calming the popular unrest relating to load shedding among the government’s voters, the finance minister quickly resolves the circular debt issue. The major achievement of the government is acquiring the GSP+ status in the European markets which is expecting to raise Pakistani exports by up to $2 billion.
On the foreign policy front, The Chinese premier visited the country and offer PM to first visit his country. The Prime Minister accept his offer despite people thinks that he will visit S. Arabia first as he owed much from Arab leaders. The China visit is earmarked with a number of economic projects agreements especially Gwadar seaport and the corridor linking to China via Karakaram highway. The government took Pak-India ties as an important challenge. Despite many criticisms, he strongly maintained his stance of making good relationship with the neighbor. The outcomes of this stance, results in the better image of Pakistan in International community and the recent talk between the two countries DGMOs after 14 years. Due to the positive image of Mr. Nawaz Sharif, the British PM also visits Pakistan and congratulates him to become Prime Minister. Since the Arab Leaders have much influence over Nawaz Sharif thus, consequently this government attracts Arab leaders here but yet no solid step relating to Arab investments and Aid is finalized, which was from start expecting especially to finance the circular debt. The Pakistan relationship with Afghanistan also improved in this era, when Pakistan government gives access to Afghan Intelligence to the Mulla Barader. This is further improved when two countries declare not to interfere in each country, the step is important especially in a situation when both countries previously strongly criticize each other in supporting rebellion groups in their country. One of the important long-term foreign policy development of this government is the recent strategic level talks with the Russian delegate, since, Russia’s influence in the region is expected to increase and it will play important role in future politics of the region.
Despite his weaknesses with respect of clearly define his vision relating to counter terrorism and law-and-order situation in the country and difficulty in capturing the inflation. We hope that the mature leadership of Mr. Nawaz Sharif will bring fruits to the Pakistanis at large.
