Of Challenges to New PM
By the Editor

WITH the taking-over of Premiership by an illustrious name, a unique connoisseur for giving a swift boost to economy, Shaukat Aziz a new era heralds the pragmatic aspires and expectations of the people of Pakistan who were and are looking for the advent of a fabulous epoch—marked by peace, progress and prosperity of this realm—which is logically indexed as the only nuclear country in the Muslim World.

Such an optimism is not confined the limits within the beloved homeland, but even beyond oceanic—where overseas Pakistanis are too eager to make hefty investments in Pakistan via diverse means—to take it to the level of a self-reliant nation, free from all types of monetary compulsions and complexities—yet subject to fitting environments.

The new Prime Minister has set priorities with a vow to adhere to the principle of good governance and merit in his address to the National Assembly after seeking vote of confidence Saturday. Shaukat Aziz spelled out his Government’s agenda and gave a message of peace to the neighbours. He pledged to provide an honest and competent Government and assured of continued effort to seek Kashmir issue’s solution, firmly in line which would reflect the bona fide aspirations of the people of the Himalayan State.

He has unveiled his agenda—at length—on domestic and external perspective and has listed merit, good governance, economic development, political reconciliation, peace with neighbours and promotion of security apparatus with particular reference to the strategic assets as his Government’s priorities.

As we look at the actuality, Pakistan is a developing country and its politico-economic agenda should not only conform to the imperatives of a progressing society, but should also represent harmonious blend of peace and prosperity.

Amid such a perception, Shaukat Aziz’s priorities overtly manifest his vision of a viable, progressive, enlightened and peaceful Pakistan. His commitment to provide a competent Government to serve the people with honesty will certainly translate the great vision of Quaid-e-Azam into a reality which would ensure—a strong and prosperous Pakistan—capable of not only ensuring its own security, but also to be a source of inspiration, strength and fortification of the entire Muslim States.

His proffer of collaboration and reconciliation to the Opposition, simultaneously represents his democratic credentials and his endeavours to take the Opposition along—for the eventual amelioration of the lot of the masses, a sizable of whom, still remain deprived on multiple aspects. It’s certainly a realistic approach to promote national harmony and to galvanize the whole nation for the service of the country. It’s hoped that Opposition will respond positively to his offer in the supreme national interests.

On external front, he has rightly articulated to continue the policy of promoting good relations with neighbours, countries of the region, Islamic world and world powers. Kashmir is, of course, the core issue between India and Pakistan and as such its resolution in keeping with the wishes of the Kashmiri people is essential for peace and security in South Asia.

The pledge by Shaukat Aziz to continue policy of dialogue with India to seek a peaceful settlement of all disputes—with the core issue vis-à-vis Jammu and Kashmir—atop focuses the principled policy that Pakistan has been pursuing all along. Nuclear programme is undeniably central and apex to the national security and it is encouraging that the Prime Minister has committed not only to continue with it, but also to further refine and develop it for the sake of impregnable national defence.

Since a lot challenges lay ahead, we hope that the new Prime Minister shall sketch his strategies in such a way that would bail the people out of dilemmas like price-hike, perils of security—and above all with optimal focus on education, which is the most significant prerequisite of the 21st century. A nation with negligible rate of literacy can—in no way—live on with dignity and honour in any style.

Similarly, the image of Pakistan, though being lauded by comity of nations with the super powers like the US atop, still needs to be made greater and superior—to the highest degree whereby every native of this land could address him or her self as a proud Pakistani—with delight, jubilation and ecstasy.

At the moment, we can only make a plea to the Premier to be extra cautious and watchful in selecting his team as cabinet colleagues as the people have—by and large—been disillusioned with the majority of those who were got seated in diverse portfolios ever since the return of a democratic rule, yet paradoxically could not come up to the aspirations of the masses—possibly for the reasons, which have been the an ironic facet of our national polity.

With the instruction of graduate assemblies by President Pervez Musharraf, every-one felt confident that the old-age fashion of self-projection and using the phrase of ‘shall be’ about the accomplishments shall get evaporated. And instead, the achievements, if and when made shall be beamed with a sincere and pragmatic approach. But the dream of the people persisted—as before.

No-doubt, you, Mr. Prime Minister has set a dazzling example by pulling Pakistan’s economy from the frightening point of bankruptcy and giving the nation’s financial system an impetus to flourish with swiftness. As we believe such an excellent transformation took place only due to a solitary acuity—that you concentrated on your task as the Finance Minister and eschewed all sorts of the typical political maneuvers with mere hollowed statements, which have been the basis of such an ‘effervescent’ outlook of the gone-by epoch.

Hence who so ever is inducted in the new cabinet is ought to follow the style of work—you are blessed with. There is no haste. Take your time. Assess the output of each-one, if you are contemplating to re-install any or all of the Ex-ones. Of-course, such a course shall not only ensure an affluent Pakistan but would also help ease your capacious and taxing task for sailing of the national affairs—as smooth as silk. Experiences of the post-1999 era stand witness that whoever did his job with devotion did yield splendid and crystal-clear results.

Simultaneously, we expect that the new government—led by you—shall make sure that a visible freedom of expression—the freedom of press—surfaces in true perspective. It should not be linked with personal liking and disliking. Every-one should be allowed to say—anything—within the parameters of a Code of Ethics and conduct, as is acknowledged and enunciated the world-over.

Believe me curbs and restrictions of any type on the Press or related media like radio, television and E-newspapers; serve no purpose of the government-in-power at all. Such a stratagem and strategy has been tried, time and again, by all varieties of the regimes in the past, which now stand indexed nothing except as an elfin limb of the history. As a pragmatic soul with enlightened vision, you are well-acquainted with the fact that every civilized society reckons such a mode as a flawed and erroneous step. The raison d'être is the established axiom that media can, in no way, pose perils for the sovereigns. Neither it [Media] can form a government or get it dissolved. It is the nation and the press which rise and fall together.

Since you, Mr. PM are well aware of the greater impact on the cyber medium of news and views dissemination, now acknowledged and accepted as E-journalism even in Pakistan. We feel pleased to inform you that most of first-rate and superb universities on our soil have made it, the [E-journalism] an important part of their curriculum as it is a leading requirement of the modern age.

Yet this fastest, strongest and vibrant medium to project Pakistan in its’ true perspective and to counter the antagonistic propaganda crusade, unleashed by the foes of our beloved homeland has yet to seek certified patronage via its apt and equitable recognition by the bureaucrats, steering the affairs of the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting in Pakistan. Without turning as a burden on any-one, we say with reality that as a unified team, the print, electronic and E-media with gadget of internet as its strong pedestal would play a significant role—at home and abroad—by working hands-in-hands in the best interest of our lovely motherland—Pakistan.

We think with a positive outlook that instant orders shall be issued to the Info Ministry—to extend fullest support to the E-newspapers by placing them onto the central and provincial media-lists and granting all such papers accreditation as they are being published from Pakistan as well as to all those national dailies, which bring-out their internet editions much earlier than circulating their papers to their readers—incurring a hefty cost.
Such a decision shall result into hale and hearty usage of internet for information, education and entertainment—with a positive insight, most exclusively for the new generation.

While felicitating you, Mr. Shaukat Aziz to the corridors of power as the Prime Minister of Pakistan, we are sure that you will take the country to the zeniths of peace, progress and prosperity—the heavy odds—we are faced with. People attach great expectations with you—even if you don’t have a ‘magic lamp’ [as you said in the National Assembly]—yet do have a matchless vision—a hallmark for spiraling multifarious factors into possible. We are of the view the word ‘impossible’ does not exist in the lexicon, which rests with you. Isn’t it a truth Mr. Prime Minister?

We wish you — all the best!●