Good governance, the rallying cry of digital warriors, is predicated upon the elected party's programme. Democracy requires us to vote on choices offered by competing manifestos. Parliamentary accountability demands adherence to the promises made to the electorate: In the more developed democracies Courts are known to have struck down laws inconsistent with promises made at election-time, as 'it defied the will of the people'.
With the possible exception of PPP's 1970 election manifesto (and we forget that ZAB's nationalization programme was not 'settling scores', but part of the manifesto that people voted for), our political parties cannot be accused of manifestos that presented clear choices. They have been sterile and not really made a part of the electoral fight. One party's Ds and another's Es don't really offer choices. We want both!
The choice would be if one party, for instance, wants privatization and the other opposes it; if one promises export-led growth and the other infrastructure-led; if one is for English as the medium of instructions and the other is not.
How about this manifesto that offers choices?
Political: No single family (spouse, children, or siblings) will hold a party position (Patron, President, etc.) for more than a total of six years.
Restriction on voting against party line will be lifted.
Finance Bill will require approval of both houses. In case of a conflict the Assembly resolution shall prevail. For a period of 15 years, Census results will not be used as a basis for either distribution of financial resources or delimitation of constituencies.
Size of Federal cabinet and bureaucracy will be substantially reduced to reflect the spirit of the 18th amendment. Deregulation will be a prime objective. Within three years, we will rescind all laws that are outdated or do not pass the 'cost-benefit' test.
No one, including Ministers and judges, will have police guards posted at their residence, or have police escort, except where the Inspector General of Police is satisfied that there is a credible threat requiring police protection. IGP will be expected to remove such a 'threat' within reasonable time. External relations: The UN charter and multilateralism will be our policy compass. We will seek the closest possible relations with our neighbours, based on mutual trust and respect. Economic interests will be a dominant consideration.
We will not accept financial assistance from any country on a bilateral basis. If they wish to help us they may do so through multilateral agencies, FDI, greater market access, visa facilitation, scholarships to our students, and employment opportunities.
We will steadfastly lend all moral and diplomatic support to the people of Kashmir in their fight against occupation and oppression. We will fully respect their wishes if they prefer independence over joining Pakistan. As a confidence building measure we will grant MFN status to India, following which we will seek removal of non-tariff barriers and a more balanced bilateral trade.
Access to justice: On the basis of workload analysis we will determine the optimal strength of judiciary. Every judge will be assigned case disposal targets, to be decided within one year, except where the case disposal committee headed by the Chief Justice of the High Court determines that extraneous circumstances prevented timely disposal.
For rural areas Jirga system shall be formalized, and rules framed with regard to the composition, maximum punishment and jurisdiction of Jirga for specified cases. The District Sessions Judge shall have powers to suspend the proceedings of the Jirga, annul the verdict, or remand the case to the appropriate court of law.
Taxation: Every single Pakistani above the age of 18 shall obtain the National Taxation Number. Everyone, without exception, will file tax returns. For those with annual income of less than Rs 3 million there will be a simplified form. All Bank branches and National Savings Centres, and offices of Tehsildars, will have dedicated (complimentary) desks to facilitate those filers who need help.
All others will be required to file their personal income tax returns through certified auditors who will have the authority and duty to check the veracity of information provided. Suppression of income will be treated as a criminal offense.
No one will be given a job unless he produces his NTN; nor will his name be included in the voters list. Over a three-year period income tax and sales tax rates shall be reduced by 20%. There will be no exemptions except those approved by the parliament; however, there will be tax breaks for investments in the less developed areas and for additional job creation.
Documentation: The NTN holder will be provided a 'smart card' that will entitle him to a 10% discount on purchases. This discount will be adjusted against the supplier's sales tax return. No one will be allowed to purchase any assets without NTN. Sellers will be required to immediately inform the local tax authorities of the purchase.
Repatriation of assets from abroad: No resident of Pakistan will be allowed to have an account or assets abroad, except where approval is obtained from State Bank, which shall frame rules in this regard. Within three months, all monies and assets abroad will have to be repatriated. Those who fail to do so will be prosecuted. An informant reporting details of non-repatriated assets (that have not been allowed by SBP) will be entitled to a cash reward amounting to 5% of the value of the assets.
Current account: Our growth strategy shall be export led, with meaningful rewards for productivity and competitiveness enhancement. Towards this end, we will have a supportive industrial policy, substantially reduce import tariffs and duty slabs over a three-year period, and compensate exporters for cost disadvantages (energy etc.).
Civ-mil imbalance: Each year we will have a 'soldiers' day', to commemorate the sacrifices made by them. Defence budget shall be debated upon in the parliament. Service Chiefs will report to Defence Minister, and ISPR will be put under the control of Ministry of Information. Warrant of precedence will be strictly followed in all non-military functions and meetings, and except for operational matters Service chiefs will not meet foreign dignitaries. No sale of property in cantonment areas to non-defence personnel shall be allowed. Space limitations oblige us to defer until next week such important elements of our manifesto as education and health, water policy, institution building, and the contours of a new social contract.
shabirahmed@yahoo.com