Pakistani Politics: Govt. of National Unity and/or a Smooth Transition in 2018

[Meengla]

[This will be a short pre-amble--hoping to build upon this later by me and others].

I thought to start a new Topic here, especially given the context of the changing geopolitical scenario around Pakistan and the visible effectiveness of the Operation Zarb e Azb against the militants inside Pakistan.

I think Pakistan's circumstances are beginning to look almost as good as they were between 2002-2007. I also think, having achieved two successful political transitions (from Musharraf to Zardari; from Zardari to Nawaz Sharif) AND having weathered the PTI led storms of 2014, Pakistan MUST ensure political continuity for at least 10 more years.

In my opinion--and I have been saying it--political instability is the mother of all corruption (perhaps with the exception of North Korea) and Pakistan is better off having a somewhat corrupt govt than trying to find an ideal non-corrupt govt in future. I don't think Pakistan is unique in the world--most of the govts are perceived to be corrupt and/or ineffective. But countries are still moving forward. And those countries--which tried to go the 'revolution routes' for some very high ideals are now in even worse shape then before.

Pakistani society did an excellent job in weathering the political storms in the summer of 2014. This forum is a witness to my and many others here who resolutely rejected the anarchism then (especially by the TuQ thugs). And look at where Pakistan is now: Pakistan situation is certainly better than it was in 2014. And even 2014 was better than the previous Zardari rule. That is political evolution. India too witnessed it recently by dumping a dead-weight Congress govt.

So, going forward, there must be a smooth transition to the next govt in 2018. The next govt, if by PTI, should focus on 'governance' instead of some idealized environment where it starts witch-hunting. Trust me: Trying to recover a few dozen billion Rupees while inviting chaos will be no gain! Another alternate is to form a govt of national consensus. If it requires power-sharing on rotation basis, then so be it.


What are your thoughts?

 

[Muhammad Omar]

In Pak now there polarity grounded to large extent , It is clear chances in Pak , there would no be any transition occurred in 2018. In Sindh Zaradi will win for Govt , in Punjab ofcourse Nawaz Sharif has all the money and arrangements to win and possibly to form Govt but CM-ship is for sure and Baluchistan and KPK are war riddance places where people won by self styled way.

Money and constituency politics are key factor to win in Pak.

Prove in Judicial Commission that Nawaz Won by MOney and arrangements

 

[Meengla]

Money and constituency politics are key factor to win in Pak.

And they are in most of the rest of the world. Ross Perot, a non-entity, dumped in tens of millions in the most successful democracy of modern history and managed to grab almost a 5th of the votes!

Many of us naively put Pakistan up on a pedestal of some ideals. Learn to walk, before trying to run. Haven't we seen, in very recent years, the results of revolutionary zeals? Afghanistan too, while was a never shining beacon, tried a revolution in the 70s, only to be even worse off.
Pakistan has--by the Islamic world's standards--managed power transitions relatively better. And that's why, Pakistan is not a disaster despite bad neighbors, over-population, and illiteracy.

And so woe to those who advocate revolutions, idealism, and short-cuts for Pakistan. The age of idealism is dead in Pakistan. There is a beginning of a new age--of pragmatism; let it continue.

 

[Chacha_Facebooka]

I think Imran should win next time. Fresh faces will calm people down and tackle issues previous government didn't handle properly.

 

[Muhammad Omar]

I think Imran should win next time. Fresh faces will calm people down and tackle issues previous government didn't handle properly.

It's only your thinking Brother Imran Not gonna win next time for sure... there are Rarely Fresh faces mostly PPPP PML-N PML_Q joined PTI

 

[Meengla]

I think Imran should win next time. Fresh faces will calm people down and tackle issues previous government didn't handle properly.

That's fine.
I just hope new elections are held in free and fair manner and everyone in the Parliament should ensure that. Till then, no point derailing the current setup because EVERY major political forces is in governance in some form, somewhere and they need to prove their credentials for 2018.
But Pakistan will do herself a big harm at this time by agitational politics when things are starting to gel toward economic revival, foreign interests, and political tolerance/stability.

Let's all remember that: Pakistan's politicians are neither uniquely incompetent nor uniquely corrupt. Many other countries of the world are progressing despite their own bad politicians because those countries have the stability of power transitions.

 

[Chacha_Facebooka]

Fix the following and the rest will be relatively easy: political meddling in police and investigative agencies like FIA, and NAB. They need to make these institutions completely independent of the government. Government shouldn't be able to make postings in them.

 

[Meengla]

Nawaz Sharif now has made PTI leader IMran khan a kind of corrupt and useless man in public's eye by huge campaign , Although IMran have never been in power but by media he is responsible for many wrongs in Pak and he is as corrupt as Nawaz Sharif.

What Nawaz Sharif and JI did to Benazir before the 2000's was very low quality and 'LicchuR' propaganda, so I know what they are capable of. But I don't think IK's image is too damaged as of yet; sure, he's made to look like a political 'AnaRi' yet again but certainly not 'corrupt'.
IK still has a good chance in 2018 if NS doesn't delivery enough by 2018. And if NS does deliver and wins then why not be happy? It is a win-win for Pakistan: Fresh blood and the least corrupt party (PTI) vs a govt which moved Pakistan significantly forward (PMLN).
Think for the country--not for your favorite party or ethnicity or political leader.

 

[Meengla]

@Goodman,
I am generally against the use of coal power but I also generally ignorant of power generation issues; so I can't comment on that yet except that some other countries also use coal power. I think, if what you say is true, then there should be a huge protest against it through media and even public demonstrations (peaceful ones).
But I don't think a few issues could be enough to derail the whole setup. Maybe NS be exposed for his alleged corruption and let the voters decide? Maybe Supreme Court be moved? Certainly noise in the media to be made.

 

[Death Adder]

[This will be a short pre-amble--hoping to build upon this later by me and others].

I thought to start a new Topic here, especially given the context of the changing geopolitical scenario around Pakistan and the visible effectiveness of the Operation Zarb e Azb against the militants inside Pakistan.

I think Pakistan's circumstances are beginning to look almost as good as they were between 2002-2007. I also think, having achieved two successful political transitions (from Musharraf to Zardari; from Zardari to Nawaz Sharif) AND having weathered the PTI led storms of 2014, Pakistan MUST ensure political continuity for at least 10 more years.

In my opinion--and I have been saying it--political instability is the mother of all corruption (perhaps with the exception of North Korea) and Pakistan is better off having a somewhat corrupt govt than trying to find an ideal non-corrupt govt in future. I don't think Pakistan is unique in the world--most of the govts are perceived to be corrupt and/or ineffective. But countries are still moving forward. And those countries--which tried to go the 'revolution routes' for some very high ideals are now in even worse shape then before.

Pakistani society did an excellent job in weathering the political storms in the summer of 2014. This forum is a witness to my and many others here who resolutely rejected the anarchism then (especially by the TuQ thugs). And look at where Pakistan is now: Pakistan situation is certainly better than it was in 2014. And even 2014 was better than the previous Zardari rule. That is political evolution. India too witnessed it recently by dumping a dead-weight Congress govt.

So, going forward, there must be a smooth transition to the next govt in 2018. The next govt, if by PTI, should focus on 'governance' instead of some idealized environment where it starts witch-hunting. Trust me: Trying to recover a few dozen billion Rupees while inviting chaos will be no gain! Another alternate is to form a govt of national consensus. If it requires power-sharing on rotation basis, then so be it.


What are your thoughts?

Agreed, political stability is key to success especially in economic terms. If this system continues like this, you will see we will achieve growth rate of 5.5 or 6 by 2017.

 

[Meengla]

Agreed, political stability is key to success especially in economic terms. If this system continues like this, you will see we will achieve growth rate of 5.5 or 6 by 2017.

Yes, and who could doubt what you are predicting?! I mean, it must be visible even to the blind by now that the PPP govt between 2008-13 had basically given up on governance--the whole setup was on auto-pilot. So didn't Pakistan advance despite replacing one 'corrupt' govt with another 'corrupt' govt? Doesn't 'Muk Muka' have any value?

Imagine the loss had the Dharnas succeeded in the summer of 2014?! On top of the billions already lost. The would-be toppled were united in all major parties except for PTI and they would make it a hell for the alternate govt; and thus the chaos would continue. No Chinese President visit. Moody's and Investors doubting Pakistan even more. Pooh poohing by other countries... The same vicious cycle of the 90's. Enough of that.

 

[Death Adder]

I object , Nawaz Sharif has spend 8 years in Punjab , its long period , In 8 years they would have develop Punjab , but the issue this uneducated Sharif family has no clue what is governance and what is development. Pak need more better and refined people to govern this corrupt some country. Opposition should have struggle hard and force the govt to perform , but issue is PPP is the only opposition party which is also in alliance with govt on every issue.

Now thick head Nawaz Sharif want to install coal plant which is 100 year old technology and will damage the Sahiwal.

It is not just coal plant/ they are making stuff very slow as they have no idea.
I have no issue if Nawaz Sharif win in 2018 but I know what is going on in Pak , and how they going on. for example I give you one example ,
Coal is death for Pakistan , By Sharif family , People of Sahiwal should

please people dont allow Sharif family to sign death deal by coal deal

I think you should stop preaching your nonsense agenda here in every thread, in fact its you who acting like uneducated with no facts and figures and stupid font.

Coal plays a vital role in electricity generation worldwide. Coal-fired power plants currently fuel 41% of global electricity. In some countries, coal fuels a higher percentage of electricity.


Look at the use of Coal in Electricity Generation by country.
South Africa 93%
Poland 87%
PR China 79%
Australia 78%
Kazakhstan 75%
India 68%
Israel 58%
Czech Rep 51%
Morocco 51%
Greece 54%
USA 45%
Germany 41%
coal electricity, coal power plants - World Coal Association

In Pakistan power generation by coal is less then 5%, so i would say go ahead with coal projects as we are desperate need of electricity.

 

[Chacha_Facebooka]

We can think about switching to an alternative source of energy once we have energy. The first step in becoming a developed nation is to shift from agriculture to industrialization which I need not remind you, very pollution intensive.

 

[Meengla]

Why PTI sit in was failed as people have not shown up in protest as per demand/need, if people came out of home for sit in , nwaz Sharif govt could be gone than, However people in Punjab are happy now with Nawaz Sharif even after 7-8 years of his govt. I am sure nawaz Shaif will make again govt in Punjab for third time. However for its ok, what people decide its upto them , But we have to understand what is devlpment and how to put country on progress , yet nawaz Sharif has no clue and no wish for it , Pak will be keep going with this pace for next 20 years

I don't understand what you are really trying to say here? If the people of Punjab are happy with NS and if the people didn't come out in expected numbers for the Dharnas then it is what it is.

And nothing wrong with the current 'pace' of Pakistan, given the security situation, the Zardari govt's 'achievements', and the global economy's bare recovery. Can't we at least say that the Pakistan of today is looking better than the Pakistan of pre May 2013? Can we not say that had the Dharnas succeeded in toppling via violence then Pakistan would be worse off than right now? Can we not say with a fair amount of certainty that Pakistani GDP growth will be over 5% by 2017 given the current stability and trends?

 

[Chacha_Facebooka]

Pak has huge potentail for water energy , If Govt has will than they would generate more water power , in lalst 20 years , Pak has not even completed Nalium Jehulm project. It shows govt has no clue what to do and where to invest .

Keep in mind China will shut down her coal plant by 2020 . If Pak want development and progress we have to build 3 to 4 world level engineering universities. India are going ahead to us bcz IITs. Nawaz Sharif has sold the Pakistan electric complex while in India , Bahrat ELectric complex are doing all the big coal projects.
Chines engineers/money can not come in thousand to build coal plant. If india/poland/germany has coal plant its because they have state companies like bhel (BHEL in india ). in /bhel/jsp/index.jsp .

Nawaz Sharif even can not run Pakistan stell mill, He want to sell it, After selling Pakistani companies where all these money are going? they have sold untill 7 departments and 35 are in line.

These billion of dollar money after selling , Pak state run companies, would be used to build water based power plants.

Neelum Jehlum is already being worked on. It will finish with in a few years. The sad thing is that people start doing politics on these things. Look at what happened to Kalabagh dam; "Punjab will steal all the water". As for coal, China can end coal power when ever it wants. We need to sort out our own priorities.