Democracy in Pakistan II

I have highlighted a bit of history about what happened in past in politics in Pakistan in part one of “Democracy in Pakistan”. Now let’s see how the today of Pakistan is reshaping in this regard.

“Deal-No Deal” are the words that are all around nowadays. Every person has few following common questions.

1. Will Musharraf compromise for the sake of the power?
2. Will Musharraf join the hands of exiled leaders to whom he referred as “Corrupts” in past.
3. If yes, then what can be the reasons behind this?
4. Why the generals of the past haven’t done that?
5. What will be the outcome of this in future?

The story of joining the hands of Benazir and PPP was quite a setback for me because he was going to join the hands of a leader who made her best to bankrupt the Pakistan.As I am always been in favor of Musharraf’s policies because even in dictatorship people of Pakistan have witnessed the awesome economical policies, rampant development, mega projects which only been discussed in Past but never taken action by any government and most importantly irreversible process of freedom of speech by opening up the media and giving more rights to it. One can judge the openness and activeness of media by counting the no of microphones at any political gathering. Gone were those days when we have to wait for 9 pm for listening the news at PTV.

This nation of 160 million people witnessed something which was never done by any government in any aspect then who cares for democracy? It isn’t hard and fast rule that there must be democracy in country for progress but the right and consistent economical policies. Take the example of Thailand, very well developed, major tourist destination but no word of democracy. I believe that one nation doesn’t need a right form of government only but also the right government and most importantly the determined leader.

Let’s see what Musharraf has done for us:-

1. If we suppose that Musharraf started from Rs.100 of total size of GDP then today after 7 years we have GDP of Rs.156. And the total size of GDP is US $146 Billion now.
2. Per capita income increase from $492 to $924 in just seven years. Isn’t it remarkable achievement? By the way per capita income in India is about $520 only.
3. FDI (foreign direct investment) increased from mere $420 million to $6 billion. Means increased by almost 1500%.
4. Education budget increased from 1.2% of GDP to 4% now.
5. HEC budget increased to Rs.28 Billion. I must say “WoW”.
6. Exports hase risen to $16 Billion. It is also true that trade gap has been increased to $10 billion as well. But it is very natural sign of booming economy because most of the money of import was spent on import machinery and engineering goods which will encourage the exports in future.

These are the just major achievements by Musharraf. Now tell me who wants the democracy? Pakistan has seen the 31 years of democracy but no one has achieved even inch of it.