It is difficult to pen down the performance of the present government during last 3 years as it was not a smooth sailing. The government has faced numerous unforeseen challenges since inception which has obviously changed its priorities. I will particularly mention the Pakistan Army operations to maintain writ of the government.
The operation clean-up first in Swat and Malakand followed by Fata and Waziristan had support of all political parties. The operations have exhausted resources of the government and Pakistan has incurred till today an expenditure of more than US $34 billion on these operations but we were only reimbursed a meagre sum by our allies in war against terror particularly the USA.
Secondly Pakistan faced devastating floods, worst of its kind in 63 years history of Pakistan. The damages were estimated at more than US $10 billion and Pakistan has to go to IMF to take a loan of US $11.3 billion for its balance of payment. Crop of cotton, sugarcane and rice were damaged besides the loss of hundreds of thousands of livestock.
More than 20 million persons were displaced and their rehabilitation was a major challenge for the government considering its limited resources. In addition to these factors, due to poor law and order situation, foreign direct investments in the country have been reduced and the energy crisis made investment in industrial sector shy, causing unemployment.
Despite these challenges the government managed to overcome the adverse affect and for the first time in last 8 years it posted a current account surplus of US $26 million as against deficit of US $2.57 billion last year. Record remittances may reach to US $11 billion by the end of current fiscal year.
Foreign exchange reserves reached all time high more than US $17 billion. Exports have increased in all sectors particularly textile, showing a phenomenal growth of 25% and export target may surpass US $22 billion. The government announced first ever National Textile Policy 2009-14 setting a target of US $25 billion by the year 2014.
The government continued its support to the poor and needy people through Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), Wasila-e-Haq and green tractor scheme. In addition, the government has regularised contract employees and daily wages workers in the public sector organisations providing them job security. Government has also given ownership to the workers in Public Sector Organisation by offering them shareholding in the company. During this period Aghaz-e-Haqooq-e-Balochistan scheme was also announced.
A major achievement of the present government is 7th NFC Award and 18th Constitutional Amendment. For the first time Thar coal reserves were tapped and its ownership was given to Sindh. Engro has already signed a 1000-megawatt agreement for mining and power generation through coal.
The government has also announced small dams schemes in all provinces for water reservoir and power generations. With these economic indicators I am confident that PPP government will be able to achieve 2.5% to 3% GDP growth this year. Although the government could not come upto the expectation of the masses in few areas but considering the challenges government has faced during the last three years, one can say they have performed fairly good.
(The writer is ADVISOR TO PM ON TEXTILE.)