The founder of the nation Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah had said on April 12, 1948: “We must develop a sense of patriotism which should galvanize and weld us into one united and strong nation. That is the only way in which we can achieve our goal, the goal of our struggle, the goal for which millions of Muslims have lost their all and laid down their lives.”
The present leadership is fully conscious of the current ground realities and is working in line with the precept of the Quaid’s envisions of a moderate, progressive and prosperous Pakistan.
President Pervez Musharraf has declared time and again that his “priority is Pakistan and its people.” He has “no personal agenda and that the political parties and democratic forces should also think about the interest of the country” and that he “fully believes that key to solution to all problems lies with democratic process.”
He cautioned the nation on Oct. 17, 2003 that we were at a defining moment in history; we could define the destiny, or we could let the moment define our destiny. “We must turn challenge into opportunity. We must reflect and act quickly and collectively for the sake of our suffering people and our future generations.”
The government has accorded highest priority to economic and social development. Over the last eight years, with pursuit of consistent and sustained policies, the social and economic fabric of the nation has undergone a tremendous transformation. There has been a discernible metamorphosis in all the strata of national life.
Pakistan’s economy presents a rosy picture of stability and growth. The prudent, transparent, consistent and predictable economic policies coupled with good governance, have indeed strengthened the national economy through responsible fiscal management and disciplined implementation of structural reforms.
The overall macroeconomic indicators from 1999 onward have seen vast improvement with fiscal deficit, expenditures, and foreign debts having been reduced; and earnings, foreign exchange reserves, exports and revenue collection having gone up resulting in remarkable economic progress. Pakistan is now well poised to achieve the objectives of sustainable economic growth and eradication of poverty.
Pakistan’s total real GDP grew by 6.6 percent in 2005-06 as against 8.6 percent last year. Pakistan’s economy has grown at an average rate of almost 7.0 percent per annum during the last four years and over 7.5 percent in the last three years, thus joining the fastest growing economies of the Asian region along with China, India, and Vietnam.
Private sector’s confidence, has grown, stock market is buoyant, external balance of payments position is satisfactory, expatriate Pakistanis are bringing capital into the country and the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) has increased enormously. Positive indicators suggest substantial increase in foreign exchange reserves, stable exchange rate, low inflation, reduction of debt burden, low fiscal deficit and surplus current account balance, and increased exports and revenue collection.
The government intends to enhance the role of Special Economic Zones (SEZs), etc in attracting investment. There are already some good examples of industrial parks such as “Marble City,” “Textile City,” Pak-China Economic Zones near Lahore and the Lasbela Industrial Estate in Balochistan.
Through a long-term export plan it is proposed to achieve exports of $45 billion by 2013; and increase the export to GDP ratio to almost l6 percent given an average annual economic growth of 7 percent to 8 percent.
Foreign Exchange reserves have risen to $16 billion from $1 billion in 1999. Total foreign investment is expected to touch $6.5 billion (or 4.5 percent of GDP) by the end of the current fiscal year — over 13 to 14 times higher than eight years ago. Pakistan’s external debt and liabilities stood at $38.86 billion at end-March, 2007.
Introduction and adoption of E-Government is designed at improving competitiveness and efficient and fast handling of administrative and economic projects toward strengthening of national physical infrastructure. Internet connections have increased fivefold from half million in 1999.
To beat international competition, corrective measures have been introduced to curb copyrights piracy, spurious drugs, counterfeit publications, and unauthorized use of telecommunication facilities. The government has established Intellectual Property Organization, known as IPO-Pakistan to protect, strengthen and integrate Intellectual Property rights and to promote awareness about the related issues in the public and private sectors in Pakistan.
The government is striving hard to forge stronger unity and integrity among units of the federation and to ensure that the provinces are given adequate resources. A bill is on the anvil to grant maximum provincial autonomy to the provinces.
The government is going all-out to involve the common masses in the democratic and consultation process. It is taking concrete steps to promote and strengthen political and democratic institutions. With a view to introducing democracy at the grass root level, a well-thought out devolution system has been put in place through a three-tier Local Government System.
To enable the people at large to exercise their right to elect their representatives, general elections are scheduled to be held early next year.
The government has shown unstinted accommodation to the popular sentiments and aspirations for an independent judiciary and for delivery of justice and administration of justice.
Reforms in governance have been initiated to ensure that the government departments and organizations become more efficient and responsive to the people. A Services Reform Commission set up for the purpose is finalizing its recommendations.
Extensive Police Reforms have been introduced. After 141 years, the Police Act 1861 has been replaced by the Police Order 2002. The police force has been divided into three separate wings — watch and ward, investigation and prosecution and Provincial/District Public Safety Commissions, with elected representatives as members have been set up to exercise checks and balances on police.
Efforts are on to eliminate gender discrimination. To empower women, seats have been reserved for women in Senate, National Assembly and Provincial Assemblies. Representation in local governments has been enhanced to a minimum 33 percent. Women can also contest elections on general seats. The government has adopted legislation for the emancipation of women through women protection Bill. Ten percent quota has been reserved for induction of women through competitive exams in addition to merit seats.
Minorities have been empowered through revival of joint electorate. Reserved seats of minorities have been restored.
The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) is assigned to deal with corruption cases and white-collar crimes. It also launched an awareness campaign among masses regarding negative impact of corruption upon society.
Freedom to media, both print and electronic, has been the hallmark of the government’s policy toward freedom of expression. At the same time the government expects the media to do objective, accurate and responsible reporting and ensure an adherence to the code of ethics and conduct.
The government is indeed putting up a tenacious fight against terrorism and extremism as it genuinely believes that without curbing terrorism and extremism, the country cannot progress.
Pakistan has made substantial progress toward achieving foreign and defense policy goals. It has been pursuing a policy of friendly and cooperative relations with all states. It plays a pivotal role in the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). Pakistan has also close relations with Southeast Asian (SEA) nations and is a member of the Asian Regional Forum (ARF). Pakistan is also a member of Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) — an economic entity also including Central Asian states, Iran, Afghanistan, and Turkey.
With Afghanistan, the government took effective measures to further strengthen cooperation. Pakistan is located at the crossroads of Central Asia, South Asia and South West Asia. This strategic location carries great potential for Pakistan to become a hub of economic activity.
The government is developing highways and the Gawadar Port that would serve to link up adjacent regions of Central Asia.
The strong ties of friendship and cooperation between Pakistan and China have been further strengthened. China is a key player in strengthening Pakistan’s economy and investing in almost all sectors.
Given Pakistan’s growing prominent role in the region, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization(SCO) extended it observer status.
Since the designation of Pakistan by the US as a major non-NATO ally in 2004, military and economic cooperation between Pakistan and US has steadily increased.
Pakistan strengthened its relations with the EU as well as enhanced bilateral contacts with European countries especially in the economic, commercial, technical and scientific fields.
Over the past year relations with Russia also marked a significant improvement with growing cooperation in the field of counterterrorism and security cooperation as well as increase in levels of economic and trade relations.
The government implemented substantial measures to help strengthen the effectiveness of the OIC to meet growing challenges for the Muslims.
Pursuing the composite dialogue process with India, Pakistan stepped up conclusion of several confidence building measures between the two sides. A headway has been made to normalize relations with India with a focus on resolution of Kashmir through negotiated settlement.
A major initiative has been taken to explore new openings for relations with the leading countries of South and Central America. The government has pursued a defense policy based on maintaining a minimum credible deterrence through strategic and conventional capabilities.
The nation is adequately geared to preserve and protect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the country without compromising its defense needs.
With a growing sense of relief, if not complacency, at Pakistan’s 60th Independence Day, the nation can rightly take pride that with robust and dynamic economy; a nuclear outfit and an impeccable defense today, Pakistan commands enviable respect in the international community.