Daily Times

The Prime Minister (PM) has spoken. It was after a long wait that the third-time new PM decided to speak to the nation. What did he say? The general reaction is that he said very little, or nothing. Or at least he did not say what this nation wanted to hear. The nation wanted to hear of the concrete steps and plans he intends to implement for the solution of several huge problems faced by the country like terrorism and the power crisis.

I recall my first meeting with Mr Nawaz Sharif when late General Jillani introduced his new finance minister of Punjab to me in the Lahore Governor’s House. Mr Sharif seemed an amiable and unassuming young person. I invited him to inaugurate the exhibition of carpet manufacturers of which I was the Chairman. Mr Sharif, in a very unassuming way, said that he wanted to learn how to make speeches. Since then he has reached the political pinnacle and needs no coaching. In his address to the nation he did not seem to be in his element. He seemed bogged down with problems. He had probably underestimated the gravity of the multitude of problems existing for the nation. In the customary political manner he started to hold the previous governments responsible. He talked of the 14 previous years since he left. But he could only indicate a couple of negligent acts like that of the Nandipur project since 2007. So, in reality, he could only target the last five years or so.

As a matter of fact, people wanted to know what his strategy to control terrorism, and improvement in the supply of electricity was. About terrorism he said that he and his government are ready for negotiations as well as a war against terrorism. Promptly, the TTP responded in the most uncomplimentary way. The TTP spokesman, Shahidullah Shahid, was prominently reported in the press. Here are some poignant extracts from the Taliban’s response: “We watched Mian Nawaz Sharif while addressing the nation on TV channels. In his speech, he showed willingness to talk to us and then warned us of using force. First we don’t see any indication on the ground, which can lead to negotiation between the government and us, as there is a visible division between the elected government and military authorities. And then he warned us of using force. We would like to ask him to take a lesson from General Pervez Musharraf, President Asif Zardari and Awami National Party leader Asfandyar Wali who used force against us and suffered the consequences…”

And further:

“The Prime Minister was unable to clarify when he was going to negotiate and how he would do so? He didn’t mention whom he was planning to talk to, and failed to state through which type of sources he would approach the Taliban?”

He further pointed out the split between decision making powers and then warned in the following manner:

“In case of force against us, Nawaz Sharif will see our response.” The Taliban also carried out the threat of carrying out suicide attacks in case the government hanged their colleagues.

Quite clearly the Taliban are not impressed with the PM’s speech. They have also shown some audacity and threatened consequences. If the PM continues to show weakness then they will feel even more encouraged. Perhaps the PM feels that this is the area of responsibility of Mr Nisar, but the impression is that Mr Nisar is better in making speeches than taking effective action.

Then Mr Sharif moved to the next point that the nation would have desired to know his plans for: the power crisis. The PM spent more time in lamenting the inaction of the previous governments, in fact of the outgoing PPP government. This repetition brought no news to the listeners. The masses have already rejected the PPP this time and this has happened primarily due to the inability to improve the power sector. The PM offered no early solution, although one needs to be fair and admit that there is a wee bit of improvement in Lahore, and hopefully in some other places. The credit may perhaps need to be given to Mr Shahbaz Sharif, who has always been focused and tries to deliver. Mr Sharif does better in action than in speeches and that is a welcome situation for the public. The public needs action more than words. The PM practically promised no hope earlier than the end of the next five years. This is convenient. People are being advised to wait until the end of his term!

I am reminded of an old joke worth sharing. It is said that a ruler of some state was informed that his state is being attacked by the enemy and was asked to give instructions. The ruler ordered that halva (a sweet dessert) should be prepared immediately. The surprised staff obeyed the order and quantities of halva were prepared and everyone enjoyed eating it. Then again the ruler was informed that the enemy had advanced closer. He again ordered more halva and everyone ate it. Finally, the ruler was informed that the enemy was very near. He again ordered a large quantity of halva, ate it and said, “Now we must leave immediately, we have had enough ‘Halva’!

This is, of course, a joke and has no relevance to our government. Our government is trying to get its act together. It will not look for escape or whiling away the time. Very soon an effective national security policy will be devised and vigorously implemented to check the spate of terrorism. The energy policy will also be speeded up and our homes and businesses will have the benefit. Businesses will turn the economy around and peace will prevail.

This all will happen because our new third-time PM is determined, concerned and resolute about ‘doing more’. His team must support him and show its capability.

The writer is the former CEO Pakistan National Council of the Arts; Chairman Fruit processing Industries; Chairman UNESCO Theatre Institute Pakistan and COO ICTV, USA. He is the author of Melluhas of the Indus Valley 8000BC to 500 BC. He can be reached at naeemtahir37@gmail.com