An agenda for change?

At PTI power show in Lahore on Sunday Imran Khan gave a rousing populist speech, unveiling an 11-point agenda for a 'New Pakistan' under a fresh slogan "Not Two, Only One Pakistan". Taking an indirect swipe at his main rival, the PML-N, which boasts its infrastructure projects as progress, he said, nations progress by investing in human development rather than infrastructure alone. He vowed to create a welfare state, announcing a number of measures his party would introduce on coming to power, beginning with introduction of a uniform education system and healthcare for all. He promised a massive cut in taxes on electricity, gas, and petrol, as well as subsidies for small farmers, and five million houses for the poor. He also talked about meeting the military's needs so it can defend the country against foreign aggression. Criticizing the PPP and PML-N governments for a horrendous rise in external debt, taking it from Rs 6 trillion until 2008 to Rs 13 trillion by the former and Rs 27 trillion by the latter, the PTI Chairman promised to make the country self-reliant.
As to the question where the money will come from for the realization of all the good promises he made, Imran said he would root out corruption, collect Rs 8 trillion through institutional reforms and invite investments by Pakistanis living abroad who, he recalled, always contributed generously to his public service projects. Since they trusted him, he averred, they would respond positively to his call for investments, generating robust economic activity and creating jobs. That though could be an unrealistic expectation. There is also some concern if his agenda for development pays attention to the need of creating a proper balance between issues of bread and butter and those of military nature. That said, the PTI deserves credit for coming up with an economic programme. At present, it is the only party to have articulated a development agenda. It should open a much-needed debate on the direction economic advancement should take.
The PTI Chairman also made several important announcements regarding political and social issues. He said his party would strengthen the federation by addressing smaller provinces' sense of deprivation. Southern Punjab would be given the status of a separate province on administrative grounds. And to bring the tribal areas into the mainstream, Fata will be immediately merged into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and given substantial development funds. Local governments will be duly empowered to solve local problems at local level. The police will be depoliticized so they can do their duty without coming under political pressure. Minorities will have equal rights as envisioned by the founding fathers. Female literacy will receive special attention, and women's right to inheritance will be ensured through legislation and implementation measures. Last but not least, Imran vowed to clean up the environment of uncontrolled pollution. This, indeed, is a great agenda for change the PTI has been promising. Only time will tell, if given the opportunity, all these nice words are to be translated into action.