ISLAMABAD/KARACHI, 19 September — Many may have opposed Pakistan’s support to the US-led anti-terrorism war, but as the October polls approach, political parties seem to be skirting foreign policy issues in their campaigns.
High on their agenda are corruption, the provision of basic amenities, law and order, and constitutional matters like curtailment of Parliament’s authority by the military regime.
The general election will be held on Oct. 10 and the run-up to the polls this time has been quite subdued as compared to previous years.
But Pakistan’s contentious foreign policy is not a campaign issue, reportedly because leaders here are keen to curry favor with international powers.
After the Sept. 11 attacks, when Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf extended support to the US policy vis-à-vis Afghanistan, involving a crackdown on militants here, there was a popular outburst.
For influential parties like the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), however, economic issues seem to have taken precedence.
Raza Rabbani, acting secretary general of the PPP, said issues like the unending price hike, unemployment, frequent increase in utility charges and deregulation of petroleum prices were more important than Pakistan’s foreign policy.
“Even constitutional matters are likely to take secondary position to economic matters,” Rabbani said.
Referring to the government’s claim of rising foreign exchange reserves, the PPP leader asked: “What good has the $7-billion reserve done for the people. There is hardly any impact on the quality of their life.” He said there was a national consensus that the armed forces should be kept away from politics.
When asked about his party’s policies regarding the dispute on Jammu and Kashmir, Rabbani said: “Of course, it is an important issue and cannot be ignored,” and did not elaborate.
The Muttahida Quami Movement’s (MQM) deputy chief Farooq Sattar said the political structure and administrative system needed to be changed, and his party would canvass for a loose federation and strong provinces with complete autonomy, particularly in financial matters.
In the realm of foreign policy, Sattar said: “Pakistan has never had its own foreign or internal policy.”He said the U-turn in foreign policy in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 attacks would not achieve its objectives unless there was a similar change in the country’s domestic policies.
Religious parties, however, are likely to attack the regime’s foreign policy and what they claim is a changed Kashmir policy under pressure from the US.
They are also expected to lash out at the establishment for its policy toward religious schools, parties and groups under the fight against terrorism.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief and former cricketer yesterday said in Karachi that the corrupt politicians have destroyed all the institutions. Even judiciary, NAB, education and other are not free, he said and added that if his party comes into power it will make these institutions independent and strong.
Imran said his party has covered 60 percent of the country in the election campaign and this election results will prove their position. He said PTI is focusing on youth, which accounts to 45 percent of the total votes of Pakistan.
