Devolution paves path for rebuilding

Colonial concepts and attitudes that have long characterised governance in Pakistan, breeding division and mistrust, are now being discarded and replaced by a system that advocates a culture of service.

Pakistan's Consul-General in Hong Kong, Azmat Ali Ranjha, says the Government has resolved to rebuild and renew, reform and revive the country's political, social and economic spheres.

He describes initiatives announced earlier this year to rebuild the nation as signalling a move away from the culture of control that prevailed in government towards one that values service to the people.

Mr Ranjha says the new measures are about 'inclusion and not exclusion'. They are aimed at removing weaknesses in the political and administrative system as a part of the national reconstruction process. They will also serve as 'an attempt to heal' ethnic and religious wounds that have drained the country's spirit and undermined its potential.

The process of transformation and national reconstruction will begin by empowering people at grassroots level. At the same time, the populace is being reminded of its responsibility to the nation, and the need to participate in this process and protect the new institutional structures.

'These institutions will form the foundation of the Pakistan the Government aspires to create,' Mr Ranjha says, adding that the undertaking is complex and daunting, but necessary. The military administration has three years in which to launch and implement many crucial initiatives, not only those related to politics.

Today, Chief Executive General Pervez Musharraf will announce the first step in the drive to develop a partnership with the people when he outlines the new structure of local government systems. Elections to councils in cities, towns and villages will begin in December this year.

'Elections will be held on a non-party basis, and new electoral rolls are being prepared by the National Data and Registration Authority for the Election Commission. This will ensure transparency and fairness,' Mr Ranjha says. Women and minorities will be provided representation in local government institutions.

The voting age is to be lowered from 21 to 18 years. Information Minister Javed Jabbar said recently the move would increase the number of voters by eight million.

The entire plan envisions the establishment of a three-tier local government system in every district in Pakistan. It will be implemented in phases.

Devolution of power to 120 districts is one of seven objectives outlined by the Government. The other six are: to rebuild national confidence and morale; to strengthen the federation and remove inter-provincial disharmony; to revive and restore investor confidence; to ensure law and order and dispense speedy justice; to de-politicise state institutions, and to ensure swift, across-the- board accountability.

This new agenda for change will be driven by a think-tank known as the National Reconstruction Bureau.

In a recent interview with the BBC, Gen Musharraf cautioned that there were 'no easy solutions'. Regretting that there was a lack of patience and understanding with regard to his Government's objectives, he remarked: 'We are not a country without potential'.

To realise that potential, certain economic aspects are being shaken up with reforms that have already caused concern, especially among the tax dodgers.

Finance Minister Shaukat Aziz has announced initiatives to widen the tax base, and launched a house-to-house survey to document income-earners - businesses and individuals.

In a country of 137 million people, only 1.2 million pay taxes. Gen Musharraf has reiterated the need to generate revenue to finance a variety of initiatives. These include promoting Pakistan's economic interests through its overseas missions; stimulating the information technology sector; launching food programmes for the poor, as well as labour and welfare schemes; developing the textile industry and fisheries, and even reforming the Foreign Office and other Government departments.

Much remains to be achieved on the economic front. While the economy shows signs of a 'modest turnaround', figures from the State Bank of Pakistan, the nation's central bank, indicate a rebound in the all-important agriculture sector, along with large- scale manufacturing, while exports have recovered and inflation has declined.

In the fiscal year ending June, Pakistan recorded a 4.5 per cent gross domestic product growth as against 3.2 per cent in the previous period. A large fiscal deficit, however, continues to threaten macroeconomic stability.

Exports in the current fiscal year increased 9.8 per cent from US$6.3 billion to US$6.9 billion, according to the central bank.

Cotton, fish, leather, rice, synthetic textiles, wool, carpets and sports goods were the main exports, accounting for 88 per cent of total exports. Cotton alone contributed 60.2 per cent to exports. More than half of the exports go to the United States, Germany, Japan, Britain, Hong Kong, Dubai and Saudi Arabia.

Mr Ranjha believes that while a US$38.6 billion debt burden weighs heavily on Pakistan, sales of state assets such as telecoms, reductions in public expenditure, enhanced tax collection, and increased exports would go far towards rebuilding the country and its economy.