100 days – Still in search of

First 100 days are all about vision, direction, plans and hope. So far the first 100 days of the present government are all about continuation, repetition and hopelessness. No miracles can be achieved in 100 days, and none were expected. However the budget document is a road map for the year and the budget presented by PML(N) was exactly a replica of previous many years. Taxing the already taxed and filling up the deficit with more debt. This itself indicates the direction of the tested tried and failed formula of printing money, heavy internal and external borrowing, with complete disregard for the crushing burden on the ordinary man. Electricity prices shot up from Rs 5 per unit to Rs 13 per unit in just 3 months, roti is now available at Rs 8 rather than 5, and rupee is now on 107 Vs dollar and 165 Vs Pound Sterling compared to Rs 98 and Rs 150 three months ago.

Getting Terrorism operation on board in Karachi was a good step but unfortunately it now looks like another compromising deal with MQM, as the Governor has been wooed back, and arrested people released.

There is no minister of foreign affairs and none of defence. There is no cabinet of Baluchistan and no road map for that province. There are no heads of all important institutions like PTA, PTV, NAB, ECP, PIA and so on. While this goes on, following Zardari’s footstep, the PM and the CM are more happy overseas than in Pakistan. First was China, then of course Saudi Arabia, these days Turkey and next week America.

KPK also started late. DIK jail break though terrible in its impact, did speed up the provincial machinery. The direction that was missing in the beginning has made some headway. KP Local body bill has been termed as the best of all provinces, and Right to information bill has been declared in top three globally. Energy, education and health seem to be kicking off at last. Education campaign of Parho Zindagi Badlo in 5 days enrolled 676500 children with 46% females. Free medicines and test in public hospitals and proper hygiene drives have been initiated. However unless terrorism is addressed and dealt with, KPK will remain a push/ start affair. KPK really needs to deal with the negative media propaganda more proactively and start a marketing campaign to highlight the many good initiatives it has taken.

For the federal government, old habits die hard. They only believe in showing some road, bridges and highway performance near the election time. They must realize that with an overactive electronic media and an instant news social media, they may have to show much more, much earlier to outlast the previous 2 year stints in the center.