He would swear to weed out mega corruption, overcome energy crisis, convalesce the ailing economy and improve the security situation from North to South. Over the last two days, Sharif and his advisors were working on the speech which they wanted to be historic coinciding his momentous return to the office of prime minster for a record third time. In his speech he would give an outline of the PML-N government’s plan to reduce load shedding. Instead of talking big like his younger brother Shahbaz Sharif, he would make calculated announcements given the sensitivity of the matter for the general masses. The PML-N has prepared a strategy to overcome the power crisis in phases. The issue of circular debt, timely payment to oil companies, running power generation units to their maximum capacity are some of the short-term measures the upcoming government is looking for. The long-term steps include construction of hydel-power projects, trans-nations gas pipelines and civil-nuclear deal with the friendly countries. Sharif is wary of mega-corruption scandal involving key officials of the former People’s Party government. In the speech he would not name any individuals but vow to catch the big fish. Across-the-board accountability is something he would specifically emphasise. In the same breath, he would promise zero victimisation on political grounds. Terrorism and extremism is another area, Sharif would discuss at length in which he will pay tribute to the soldiers and civilians who have lost their lives. He would defend the proposal of holding dialogue with the Taliban. Sources said he might praise Malala Yousufzai and condemn those who had tried to kill the young activist from Swat. By doing so he would surely please the international community. Sharif would take credit of resolving impasse on government formation in Balochistan. He considers that nomination of Dr Abdul Malik is a great achievement that will pay him dividend in the months to come. Pointing out to the ailing Pakistani economy, he would pledge emergency measures under the able leadership of his chief economic advisor, Senator Ishaq Dar. Sharif is likely to recall the days of incarceration after the military coup of October 1999 and highlight that those who had overthrown his government were facing justice. He is going to promise that the PML-N government shall ensure supremacy of the constitution and dignity of the judiciary. Sharif, a source said, decided to appoint professionals to head the government and semi-government corporations. “Neither politicians nor bureaucrats are going to head the corporations in order to improve their performance and eliminate mega corruption,” he added. M.M
Posted on: Wed, 05 Jun 2013 08:44:38 +0000