The Other Side of the Story

By Syed Mulazim Hussain Yasir

 The Writer is Young Film Maker And political Expert

As General elections are around the corner in Pakistan, political parties are trying their level best to leave positive footprints for their supporters and potential voters. Pakistan Muslim League (N) which is currently in Power has remained under various crises rightly from the start. Throughout their tenure Pakistan Muslim League (N) relations with the establishment were more like in law relations; unbalanced and tremulous. Pakistan Tehreek Insaaf (PTI) 126 days long sit-in in the capital of the country, Model town massacre, disqualification of party president Nawaz Shareef and senior member Khawaja Asif, some senior MPA’s quitting party, religious party sit-in in Faizabad; blocking the capital, followed by a crackdown, Dawn Leaks and the interference of judiciary in the administrative affairs of the country remained major headaches for Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (N) in the last five years.

But here is the list of some of the positive aspects of Pakistan Muslim League (N) tenure, which can be linked to Pakistan Muslim League (N), directly or indirectly.

According to Policy Research Institute of Market Economy (Prime) think-tank report there was good progress in both economic revival and energy security in the tenure of Pakistan Muslim League (N), as the GDP growth rate doubled to 6pc, the budget deficit fell to 5pc, an export import bank was established and the tax to GDP ratio increased from 9 to 12.5pc.

The $46 billion investment in the shape of energy, infrastructure and security, Pakistan China Economic Corridor (CPEC) is believed to be a game changer or fate changer, which will take Pakistan to the next level. Pakistan Muslim League (N) has played a significant role in putting CPEC on a fast track and by not allowing anyone to foil the cause at any cost in spite of all the external and internal threats.

Energy crises have remained among the major issues for every government in Pakistan. In the last few years, energy situation has improved dramatically especially in urban areas. Pakistan is expected to produce over 1000 MWs of clean electricity through wind energy in the current year which will be a major step towards securing self-reliance in the energy sector. The Neelum-Jhelum Hydro Power Project Unit-III is all set to produce 242 MWs electricity. The Neelum-Jhelum Hydro project has four units with a total capacity to produce 969 MWs of electricity. The Unit 2 and Unit 1 will also start trial operation in the middle of May and early July 2018. The construction of Diamer-Bhasha dam at an estimated cost of Rs 474 billion is expected to start soon which will add another 4,500 megawatts to the National grid station.

The Nominal GDP when the newly formed government of Pakistan start operating in 2013 was 225.9 Billion USD, while according to the latest statistics Pakistan has Nominal GDP of $306.9 Billion (March 2018), with a real GDP growth rate of 5.79%, which is better than previous decades performance due to high growth rate and various anti-corruption campaigns.

As for the security situation is concerned, according to the report of Global terrorism index Pakistan recorded a huge decrease in the number of people killed by terrorism with 12 percent reduction to 956 death, which is the lowest number of deaths since 2006 and a 59% decline from the peak in 2013. As stated in the Global terrorism index report “The reduction in deaths from terrorism is in part attributable to Operation Zarb-e-Azb by the Pakistani Army; a military effort which started in mid-2014.” As for the situation in Karachi is concerned role of Pakistan Muslim League (N) top leadership especially Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan and Sindh Rangers is admirable by all means.

Due to the improved security situation in the country, annual tourist arrivals have more than tripled since 2013 to 1.75 million in the last year, according to a Bloomberg report. Similarly, an increase of 30% was noted in the number of domestic tourists. Due to the overall situation, an increase in the employment rate was recorded, especially in holiday regions of Pakistan.

Similarly, according to the 2018 World Happiness report, Pakistan ranks 75th out of 156th beating neighbouring countries India (133) and Iran (106).

Adding to the success story according to the report of World Bank Pakistan has become one of the top five countries across the globe in Private Infrastructure Investment (PPI), as it has received $5.9 Billion in 2017. China, Pakistan, Indonesia, Brazil and Mexico attracted $54.5 billion, which was 54 percent of global investment in 2017.

Bringing cricket back home from exile in shape of Pakistan Super league (PSL) was among the gradual steps towards the return of International Cricket in Pakistan, Pakistan cricket board has organized successful cricket matches in the past few years, indicating the improved security situation in Pakistan.