Daily Times

From the Islamic State of Madinah (ISM) to Islamic Republic of Pakistan (IRP), the Muslims have come a long way. The ISM was established by the Holy Prophet (SAW) in the year 622 while the IRP came into being on 14 August 1947. The premise for the formation of both states was the welfare of the people, with reasonable standard of living for all citizens.

Quaid-e-Azam appointed the first prime minister (PM) together with a six member cabinet consisting of legislators elected in the elections held in 1946. Honesty, integrity and hard work were the hallmark of this cabinet. Muslims from across the Indian subcontinent migrated to the new country. The process of consolidation of institutions was derailed with the assassination of the PM in 1951. In 1954, Ghulam Muhammad, the Governor General, dissolved the elected National Assembly (NA) and the Commander-in-Chief Ayub Khan joined the cabinet in uniform as defence minister. In October 1958, Khan Sahib declared martial law and ended the democratic journey of Pakistan. Under his infamous EBDO (Elected Bodies Disqualification Ordinance), the founding fathers of the new land were sent home. The General’s nightmare continued till March 1969 when he was deposed after massive street protests.

After 1946, in the first free and fair election of 1970, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto (ZAB) contested on the platform of ‘Masawat-e-Muhammadi’. He promised ‘Roti, Kapra aur Makan’ (Food, Clothing and Shelter), the basic ingredients of a welfare state. In 1973, a unanimous constitution was also formulated in which rights of the citizens were established. Literacy was declared a fundamental right to be provided in a period of ten years. A 13-member cabinet consisting of very able elected members was also announced. After Quaid-e-Azam’s appointed six-member cabinet, this was the ablest ever. Quaid-e-Awam’s government was rightly called Awami Hakumat (people’s government).

Only new people are capable of delivering change because the older stick to their old ways, as their survival is dependent on status-quo

In order to build ‘Naya Pakistan’, the Kaptaan also announced a ‘shadow cabinet’in May 2009 consisting of 16professionals, with three PhDs. After 1973, this was the ablest cabinet ever. In addition, there were think tanks tasked to formulate a framework for creating a welfare state on the pattern of ISM. Though the cabinet and the think tanks have now become dormant, ‘Kaptaan’ remains committed to the formation of a welfare state. While ZAB used the term ‘Masawat-e-Muhammadi’, Kaptaan calls it ‘Riasat-e-Madinah’.

ZAB’s Peoples Party has won five elections, which is an unmatched record. Yet it has not been able to deliver on its promise of ‘Roti, Kapra aur Makan’. 39 years have passed since his death yet ZAB’smission remains unaccomplished. Instead of welfare, the people of Pakistan face exploitation together with loot and plunder of their resources. There is lack of effort and commitment. In a deregulated and globalised world, the poverty line continues to move upwards – while the rich are getting richer the poor are struggling to survive.

All eyes are now focused on Kaptaan’s ‘Naya Pakistan’. Will he succeed where others have failed? Only new people deliver change while the older stick to their old ways, as their survival is linked with status-quo. It is widely reported that wine develops its potency through aging, change of bottle has very little effect on its toxicity. These ‘political intoxicants’ that jump from party to party carry their toxic potency with them. Change of political entity has very little effect on their detrimental political approach. Unfortunately, ‘Kaptaan’ has surrounded himself with such individuals who were once part of the enemy cabinets of dictators and usurpers.

The think-tanks of PTI had prepared plans and policies for the building of ‘Naya Pakistan’ as a welfare state. As a start, the state would be responsible for education, health and employment of its citizens. Everyone in the age bracket of 5 to 35 years would be in school, in training or employed. Pakistan has a bulging youth population that has to be made employable so that they can build themselves and the nation in tandem. As required by the constitution, 100 percent primary coverage would be provided in a span of two years, i.e. for every five year old there would be space in a school.

Often lack of resources is blamed for skipping of welfare which does not hold ground. It is a matter of priorities. According to progressive economist Dr Akmal Hussain, when Sweden decided to create a welfare state, their per capita income was lower than ours, yet they successfully ventured on it. People’s Republic of China (PRC) is a miracle of the 20th century. With a population of 1.379 billion and GDP of $11.2 trillion, there is hardly anyone below the poverty line. It is poised to take over USA whose population is 325.7 million with GDP of $18.57 trillion. But there is one stark difference: homelessness and poverty is on the rise in the lone superpower of the world.

ZAB was inspired by the Chinese Revolution of 1949 and so is Kaptaan as he regularly mentions PRC in his speeches. According to Habib Jalib, “study and implement their system, rhetoric alone cannot produce results.” There are several welfare states in the world today with Sweden being one of them. None of these states are bankrupt as propagated by the enemies of change. The US has the largest budget deficits despite being the headquarter of capitalism. Russia also claims to be an emerging capitalist state while the social democratic welfare states of Europe are stable and prosperous, capitalism has serious problems. As a constitutional democracy, Pakistan can emerge as an Islamic Welfare State provided the constitution is followed in letter and spirit, starting with Article 25-A of the constitution for 100 percent literacy. In the words of the Quaid:”Solely concentrate on the wellbeing of the people, especially of the masses and poor.” Naya Pakistan will be a welfare state as envisioned both by the founder (Iqbal) and the builder (Jinnah) of the Islamic Republic.

The writer is ex-chairman Pakistan Science Foundation; Email: fmaliks@hotmail.com

Published in Daily Times, April 14^th 2018.