The euphoria about Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf”s (PTI’s) ‘New Pakistan’ is now taking shape in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). After vanquishing the tainted Awami National Party (ANP)-Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) government, high expectations for an effective and responsible government are but natural.
The consensus chief minister, Pervez Khattak, comes with expertise, having served in previous governments. However, the challenges of governance are acute, where political meddling in the KP bureaucracy has rendered it dysfunctional as compared to other provinces. “How will the relatively inexperienced PTI team achieve this miracle?” ask PTI’s detractors of all shades. It would need a major overhauling of the bureaucracy and government departments lacking in capacity and skills, and transparency in their dealings.
The ANP fell from grace after succumbing to the vagaries of power politics. Between the ANP’s government in 2008, there was a wide gap of dashed expectations in governance that cost the party dearly in the 2013 elections. It was arrogantly detached from the common miseries of the population, and succumbed to its crafted hubris. ‘Terrorism’, ANP’s 2013 election slogan, was ignored as the electorate demanded better ‘governance’.
The announcement by coalition partners comprising of PTI, Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) and Qaumi Watan Party of the KP government as a ‘role model for other provinces’ seems set to become a harbinger for change. The major challenge for the PTI would be to transform this idealism into a credible mechanism that can actually deliver the goods.
This would be the hardest part. KP is no easy place. With the ongoing conflict in FATA and districts still reeling from terrorist threats, besides a host of socio-economic challenges, a mature leadership is direly needed to take up the task of bridging parties from diverse ideological backgrounds towards the common agenda. Technical experts across party lines could work as coalition partners for better governance.
Though ‘beggars can’t be choosers’, for an ordinary citizen away from the corridors of power, nevertheless one can hazard a ‘wish list’ that should attract the attention of the coalition partners.
First, security should be paramount ahead of other sectors. KP has been held hostage to the overarching threat of terrorism since 2008. All future plans can be dashed if terrorism continues to haunt the new government. Does the new government have a holistic strategic plan on security that can be implemented by the government?
Second, the economy should receive urgent attention. Mr Saleem Jan, an expert in the field of finance having served in Grindlays Bank, Union Bank and Bank of Punjab in top positions, and presently PTI’s Finance Committee member says, “Revenue generation through widening the tax base of the province would be a priority to boost the economy. Besides attracting the business sector that has virtually abandoned KP since the terrorist upsurge.”
Third, governance; the announcement of the Local Bodies election within 90 days is the first step in the right direction. Leading by example, the PTI plans devolution to the grassroots through the local government and communities taking control over decision making in budget allocation rather than MPAs for their constituencies.
Fourth, the agenda for change should also manifest itself in curtailing of ‘pomp and show’ and extravagant perks of the government. Cutting down on non-development expenditure and diverting the huge chunk in critical departments should be another feather in the government’s cap.
Fifth, given the PTI’s ‘welfare state’ agenda, the education portfolio would be a litmus test for the rest of the country on how this key sector evolves here. Ms Meraj Humayun Khan heads an NGO, Da Laas Gul, being an education expert, and having received a presidential award in 2002 for promotion of female education in rural areas. A nominee for QWP women’s reserved seat in the provincial Assembly, she could be handy in KP, especially the conflict-ridden regions where both male and female schools need to be rebuilt urgently.
Finally, the health department in KP needs an urgent transfusion as it is on the verge of collapse and hit by huge financial scandals. Politicisation of the department by the previous government has inflicted serious damage. Besides promoting inexperienced and junior most officers as heads to top positions for which they are not trained, it has resulted in conflicts and demoralisation of the entire health department. This trend needs to be immediately reversed without delay.
Mr Inayatullah, a JI MPA-elect from Dir, was a competent minister for health during MMA’s government. Many hoped he would get the coveted job again. WHO’s KP representative, Dr Said Akbar adds, “Many donor organisations took him to be a health expert although he holds a Masters in English Literature. He had all the statistics on his fingertips and was committed to improving the health profile of KP.” Dr Mohd Rafique, who heads UNICEF in KP adds, “I echo this demand. Let’s keep our voices high enough to be heard.” But according to insiders, the PTI wants to implement its manifesto ‘vision of universal health’ through primary healthcare at the grassroots level. Therefore it is hoped the new minister delivers the goods and does not succumb to the notorious health bureaucracy.
The PTI government would need to emerge strongest in the health sector where polio and measles cases have registered a resurgence in KP. Pakistan has been declared a ‘high risk’ nation by international health bodies. One can only pray our voices are heard.
The writer is a freelance columnist and can be reached at [email protected]