Realizing Objectives Of Independence

Malik Muhammad Ashraf

Pakistan will turn 71 on 14th August 2019. The emergence of Pakistan on the world map on ideological basis was the unparalleled event of the twentieth century. Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, a constitutionalist par excellence, who led the movement for independence, made sure that the struggle for independence was spurred through constitutional means. A proponent of Hindu-Muslim Unity in the initial years of his political career, he ultimately became convinced due to the attitude of the Hindu political leaders that the two communities could no longer live together in a single state. Consequently in 1937 he declared that the Muslim community in the Indian sub-continent was a nation by all cannons of international law which was an endorsement of the vision for a separate homeland for Muslims given by the poet of the East Allama Muhammad Iqbal in 1930.

The events that followed led to the adoption of Pakistan Resolution on 23rd March 1940. The resolution spelled out the contours of the envisaged state emphasizing provincial autonomy, rule of law, equality of citizens and protection of the rights of the minorities. Jinnah wanted Pakistan to be a democracy, taking inspiration from the lofty principles of Islam but not a theocratic state. Pakistan became a reality on 14th August 1947. Jinnah was very much conscious of the challenges facing the new state and the way those could be surmounted to make Pakistan a great country and winning a respectable place in the comity of nations. In his address to the constituent assembly on 11th August 1947 he emphasized the need to tackle the rampant corruption and a greater focus on alleviating poverty which he thought were imperative to consolidate the gains of independence.

The nations either progress or regress depending upon the commitment to the ideals and principles of independence or lack of it. Unfortunately the successive government in Pakistan miserably failed to stick to the vision bequeathed by its founding father. Perpetuation of vested interests through continuation of the archaic colonial system of governance which had in-built avenues of graft and entitlement that bred corruption, adoption of self-serving policies on the internal front and foreign polices lacking visionary approach not only pushed the country to the ebb of political and economic disaster internally but have also been instrumental to the existentialist threat to the country posed by religious extremism and terrorism. Pakistan is at the cross-roads.

Pakistanis have been celebrating the independence Days with ritualistic fervour every year without anything substantive to celebrate about and credible hope of rediscovering the path envisioned by the creator of Pakistan. However the celebrations this year would be discernibly different from the previous years due to a permeating sense of achievement, an abiding faith in the resilience of the nation in withstanding and tackling the formidable challenges, unflinching resolve to achieve the objectives of independence, determination not to spare any sacrifice for promoting national causes without any fear and a steely will to explore new horizons.

The country under the stewardship of Imran Khan, a man with unblemished political career, is going through a process of reversal of the permeating culture of corruption, elimination of poverty and reforms in the system of governance which has been the bane of our socio-economic development. Imran Khan won the franchise of the people on the basis of commitment to rid the country of the culture of corruption through accountability, promoting welfare of the poor and vulnerable sections of the society and improving the system of governance. Staying true to his commitments his government has adopted a policy of zero tolerance against corruption.

Accordingly a ruthless process of accountability against the corrupt elements and money laundering is underway in the country to bring to book the people who during their rules and holding of public offices took the national exchequer for a ride and made fortunes through corruption. In doing so he has rightly resisted internal and external pressures. It is really very daring initiative by him and undoubtedly fraught with political risks but he has shown a steely determination in that regard, which stems from his conviction that the country could only be pulled out of quagmire it is stuck into by eliminating corruption and giving the country a system of governance that is transparent and delivers to the people.

The economy that he inherited was also in a precarious state because the previous regimes avoided taking right decisions in the light of the ground realities leading to formidable current and budgetary deficits as well as heavy debt burden amounting to Rs.29.88 billion which represented well over 73% of the GDP much above the limit of 60 % admissible under Fiscal Responsibility and Debt Limitation Act, 2005. During the last tenth months the debt has swelled to Rs.35.09 trillion because of the fact that the government had no choice but to borrow more to pay and serve the debts already taken and saving the country from the impending financial disaster.

The government apart from assistance from friendly countries has also sought a package of $ 6 billion from IMF. The best part of the economic strategy evolved by the PTI government is that it has exhibited unflinching commitment to rectify the economic maladies by taking bold decisions to expand the tax network and bringing the informal economy into the formal sector though it is also posing difficulties for the poorer sections of the society. Nevertheless the government is determined to pursue economic policies that promise a prosperous future for Pakistan and are in conformity with the economic realities. It is prepared to pay the political cost in the short run to make sure that the country treads the path of sustained development and ultimately is in a position to lessen its dependence on borrowed money. That vision is beyond reproach. The steps taken by the government so far have led to a reduction of 30% and 14% in the current account and trade deficits respectively.

In regards to promoting well being of the poorer sections of the society and elimination of poverty the PTI government has launched a flagship programme of building five million houses during the next five years for those who cannot afford to own houses of their own; creation of 10 million jobs is also one of the top priorities; A programme of building shelters for homeless people where food is also provided has been initiated country-wide; Rs.180 billion have been earmarked for Ehsas programme for providing social safety nets to the poorest segments of the society besides initiation of schemes to provide loans to the youth for starting their own businesses and 80 million people have been issued health cards for getting free medical treatment.

Pakistan under Imran Khan is also pursuing an independent foreign policy and has played a pivotal role in promoting reconciliation in Afghanistan and facilitating talks between the US and Taliban, a role appreciated and acknowledged universally. As a result of this effort relations with USA have also improved. Relations with Saudi Arabia, China, UAE, Qatar and Malaysia have also been revitalized.

The foregoing initiatives and policies of the PTI government have surely given a new hope to the people and something to celebrate on the occasion of 71st birthday of the country.