Daily Times

This list is not exhaustive by any means but can become a good beginning for the new government. Much is expected from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) by the people of Pakistan. It is crucial that some early success is achieved for setting the direction of the government. The following actions are required immediately.

Pakistan’s economy suffers from a serious budget deficit situation compounded by a balance of payments crisis. Apparently, an IMF bailout is necessary. But the IMF is notorious for its stringent conditionalities which can cause public reaction. Pakistan has no choice to revamp the FBR on a priority basis. Also, improve governance issues to increase the pitiable exports. Distressed economic conditions require bold actions from the new PTI government. The new PTI government must focus on stabilising the economy on a priority basis. End corrupt practices in the economic sector. For example, Benaami property like done recently in India. Attach these properties with the state authorities.

Moreover, standardisation of weights, measures, and the like. For example, stop using Arubs, crores and lakhs and use only millions, billions, and discard use of maunds only kgs allowed

A detailed Plan of Action to be prepared within a month to strengthen key institutions like State bank, FBR, AGP, NACTA, IB, FIA, NAB, FPSC, etc is also needed.

PTI will have to initiate social, cultural and educational activities like done by the BJP’s Sangh Parivar group in India. Some activities can be arranged in collaboration with effective NGOs working in the field already. For example, a Razakar Force for young men and women trained in martial arts; monsoon tree plantation campaigns in collaboration with agriculture departments, adult literacy centres, libraries, urban clean up campaigns using volunteers, etc.

There should be a desire to have friendly relations with all countries, especially neighbours. There is a need to reemphasise Declare a new dawn in Pakistan’s relations with the world. Reiteration of Pakistan’s desire to normalise relations with all, including India, US, and Afghanistan.

The federal government should be consolidated into a smaller and more effective administration. Some public agencies are bloated and need to be cut. Some departments may need to be merged or even dismantled. A review must be held for this purpose

Pakistan has to become a better member of the global community by increasing participation in United Nations activities. Pakistan will participate more in international regimes under the United nations umbrella which are aimed at eradicating global crime networks of various types, like global money laundering, smuggling, global financial crime networks for tax evasion purposes, human smuggling, global drug and narcotic smugglings etc.

Pakistan should emphasise strengthening of relations within the frameworks of ECO, SCO, SAARC, and OIC as a priority

Formation of a think tank to conduct research and guide the PTI utilising the Next Steps approach and acting as a consultancy (see separate page for details)

Forming a steering committee of experienced professionals in various areas to guide the PTI government on various issues. These groups will be responsible for the actualisation of PTI policy in various areas.

It must give the right to vote to overseas Pakistanis. Thereby the diaspora will be better connected with the motherland. A few seats be given in the National Assembly for which the entire overseas community be considered as a single electoral constituency and vote be given on Party List basis.

The new government should end paper mills in the private higher education sector where rampant corrupt practices exist. Higher education may not be employed to make quick and easy money anymore.

There was a mushrooming growth of housing societies in the past decade or so. Most of these are scams and people have lost billions of hard earned savings. The State must come to the rescue of the public and take these swindlers to task. It must then simply nationalise these societies and give them under the control of various state authorities

The federal government should be consolidated into a smaller and more effective administration. Some public agencies are bloated and need to be cut. Some departments may need to be merged or even dismantled. A review be held for the purpose.

A Task Force be established to reform vital public enterprises like WAPDA, PIA, Steel Mills, NHA, Railways. A restructuring exercise be carried out to improve efficiency.

Mainstreaming of erstwhile jihadist elements be carried out on a priority basis in collaboration with the military. A special task force be established for the purpose.

A national curriculum be devised with input from all stakeholders. It must be flexible though to incorporate regional diversity. A framework would be formulated with a common core for the entire nation (1/3) and then a regional section to be the responsibility of the provinces (2/3). The purpose is to create national unity and cohesion. The framework will establish the teaching units in terms of class instruction, study period, and testing.

There was a mushrooming growth of housing societies in the past decade or so. Most of these are scams and people have lost billions of hard earned savings. The State must come to the rescue of the public and take these swindlers to task. It must then simply nationalise these societies and give them under the control of various state authorities.

A National Health Service on the pattern of the UK. The founding principle shall be that the service be comprehensive, universal and free at the point of delivery. However, patients would be required to pay prescription charges with a range of exemptions for the poorest of the poor.

The South Punjab promise must be carried out immediately. A Task Force be established for the purpose. Later, Pakistan must be divided into at least 10 provinces. Punjab into three: central, north and south. Sindh into two: north and south, and so on.

This is just a summary of a rather large list of actions that are needed.

The writer is a freelance columnist

Published in Daily Times, August 7^th 2018.