Democracy always thrives on co-ordination between the major institutions of the state. It is heartening to see that the established institutions of the state of Pakistan have for the first time since its inception helped grow the parliament not only in stature but also in the eyes of many storms.
A lot can be argued about the things present democratic dispensation in Pakistan has not achieved but instead of looking at the half empty bottle let's have a look at the half filled with the hope that the rest of the half will not only be filled with a visionary hope' but tangible results for the common man.
Looking at the 100th cabinet meeting, one finds that this in itself is an achievement of all the institutions of the state of Pakistan. Present government - despite being a coalition of dissenting natures and ideologies - happens to be the only one to have achieved this feat amongst all other democratically elected governments thus far. Such an historic landmark is scheduled to be commemorated by holding a cabinet meeting in the birthplace of our nation's founder, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, coinciding with his birth anniversary.
Amongst various crumbling scenarios and, variety of depressing TV-Talks, let's have a look at how we can cherish this achievement. The best parameter which comes to my mind is to look at it from four diverse angles; Internal, External, Developmental and Reconciliation.
Internally, this government under the leadership of Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has not opened any new Pandora's Box in the name of accountability bureaus for political victimisation. Isn't it an achievement in itself that there happens to be not a single political prisoner in the country jails and neither we have seen any vindictive campaign against any political party or leaders, as has been the case in the past? No matter how hard has been the criticism or how many out there were misusing it, one cannot take credit from this government for not resorting to any castigatory acts against free speech, media or any other state institution.
Since democracy thrives on stronger institutions, we have seen this government through its cabinet taking that route to finalise a historic NFC Award, whereby federation agreed to cut its own share so that provincial units can get more to follow its suite of developing stronger, vibrant and dynamic institutions for serving the masses.
Passage of 18th amendment with consensus is certainly another feather in the present cabinet's cap whereby almost 100 clauses of the 1973 constitution were aligned with the new demands and challenges facing the society in 21st century.
Regular meetings of the Economic Co-ordination Committee, DCC, CCI, intra provincial committees and parliamentary committees including the Public Accounts. Committee were just another testament to the resolve of the serving cabinet to deliver on their promises and set the ball rolling towards improvements and achievements.
Giving Gilgit-Baltistan recognition and thus some share and voice in the mainstream was not a simple act in itself. The area now has an elected house of representatives where they are not only developing policies and their own institutions but negotiating with the federation on more equal footing for their betterment.
No one, prior to this government, dared to give political rights to the Federally Administered Area (FATA). Giving them political rights and right to choose on one-vote-one-adult-basis can be considered a great service to democracy in itself. And as now democracy has sunk in our vibrant tribal areas, one can hope that one day they might prefer to join the settled areas as well.
List of numerous bills for women rights and emancipation against wani and swara, workplace harassment, anti money laundering, austerity and dispensing with concurrent, many items of legislative lists and devolution of powers to the provinces are just few of those other things on which we can keep on dwelling for the sake of proving that internally this cabinet has done many constructive things. Things they could not do certainly, has a long list as well but before drawing such a list we have to remind ourselves that it was a political coalition which was running this entire show, where reconciliation and rapprochement remained the center point of the cabinet. Under the trying circumstances, as we all know always circumscribed this cabinet, sharing is considered more appropriate than imposing one's will on the other on the basis of sheer number or dictatorial powers.
Externally, this government has been treading through lots of troubled waters, dealing with huge, task of safeguarding the interests of the state which was likely to be labelled as sponsor of terrorism, financially bankrupt and worst was that it had become internally destabilised due to onslaught of extremists.
Sailing through these high waters and dealing with the ultimate horrors our predecessors had put the country in this cabinet managed to get a bailout package from IMF. A lot is being said and discussed on this now, but remember when the federal cabinet decided to go for this bitter pill, that was the only option left on the table and so was agreed upon not only by then coalition partner PML (N) but all others including JUI (F), ANP and even by those who were sitting on opposition benches at that time. This can be confirmed from the records of the parliament where leaders of all these political parties praised the government for saving the country from falling into bankruptcy.
Getting rid of the stigmas attached to the country was another big challenge which this cabinet took upon itself by raising the concerns with US, EU, Arab world and at UN whereby asking the world to help us save the world from terrorists and recognise, the sacrifices of the people of Pakistan in the ongoing war against terror. It was this brinkmanship which brought about the change in the mindset of the world leaders. Result was that Americans went about reviving the country's economy while European Union agreed to listen to the pleas of the cabinet that Pakistan need more trade then aid and thus GSP Plus issue was brought back on the table and is being negotiated for the benefit of Pakistani industry and economy.
Development was another issue where democracy seems to have crept in so much that for the first time all the opposition members along with the treasury benches were given, equal and in some cases even higher (than the ruling party members) funds for development and provision of services in their areas. We must not forget the fact that it was the only cabinet in the history of the country which has to deal with the most devastating floods in 2010 and then again in 2011, which crippled the base of our agricultural economy in majority of the country. Yet, the resilience and commitment shown by the cabinet to dedicate the developmental funds for those in need proved that this democratic dispensation was alive to the situation and responded not only in kind but also in cash.
When it comes to reconciliation part, the only thing which comes to mind is the fact that, from working with the PML (N) to MQM and from JUI (F) to PML (Q), this cabinet might be considered the only one in the history of our democratic governance where every representative party has shared it at one time or the other. Together they have taken lots of decision, some of which might not merit everyone's approval but one thing they all have agreed to do is to ensure that whenever it comes to saving democracy, they have all joined hands. One more thing which highlights the strength of this cabinet is the political co-existence which can be testified from the fact that none of them have gone for political vendetta and animosity. Bitterness might be seen on occasions but then that's what democracy is all about; having the differences and airing them with full freedom and without any repercussions. Let's hope that this spirit continues and democracy remains not only the voice of the masses but also the darling of all state institutions.
If founder of the country, Quaid-e-Azam had outlined his vision for a democratic government banking on the principles of consultation, deliberation and deliverance than no other cabinet in our checkered democratic history carries the most marks than the current one. One should hope that after achieving so much they will continue to move forward and take this country to new heights by the end of their tenure.