KARACHI, Nov 8: The initial signs that government secretariat is losing its momentum in decision-making process have surfaced and it is explained by apparent deadlock in parliamentary politics, sources here said.

Business has begun to complain that officials who are normally affected by political changes, spend quite some time on gossips to anticipate who would take over the reigns of government. With the political change around the corner, they have also become more risk-averse.

Apart from changes in the ministerial jobs, the incoming government also makes changes in the bureaucratic hierarchy. Since the political parties, likely to form coalition government had, in the past, been in power, they would also seek officials enjoying their confidence. The day- to- day decisions would be prerogative of the prime minister while the National Security Council and the President could provide the input to influence policy making.

The issue is further complicated by the perception, as formed by occasional press reports, that international multilateral agencies, want not only that the reforms should continue but would prefer that one or two members of Musharraf’s economic team be included in any future government. With $14-15 billion credits extended to Pakistan, the IFIs have become a major stake holder in the national economy.

A head of a financial institution told this correspondent that the apparent deadlock in dialogue and delays on formation of the new government is impairing the efficiency of the government. Decisions don’t come quickly or at all.

He complained that the country and the economy are being held hostage by about twenty leading political personalities. It is not national issues but personal ego that divides them. They need to change for the good of the nation and the country. And President Musharraf could play the role of a catalyst.

Similarly, a local businessman based in Islamabad told this correspondent that officials are taking it easy while the political drama is being unfolding. So, we have to show more patience, than normally, to get files moving.

While lauding the current economic policies and strategies, multinationals and domestic private sector have frequently complained about snags at the implementation stage.

If the summoning of the national and provincial assemblies and formation of new government is delayed, the efficiency of the government would suffer immensely and business confidence would be further eroded. Whether it is corporate or state governance, uncertainties impact adversely on business. During Zia-Junejo tenure of office, Burma Oil Company cancelled a deal to sell Pakistan Petroleum to Shell when the buyer failed to secure a no-objection from the government within the stipulated period of two months extended by another two months. The reason given was very simple: Uncertainty is creating demoralization among executives and staff, impacting on the efficiency and business of the organization and is bad for BOC’s corporate image.

There is a point of view that the military has a strategic plan for entry into politics and take over of government but it lacks an “exit strategy”. President Musharraf, however, has designed a strategy for switch-over from military to constitutional rule.

The legal framework order (LFO) is the roadmap given by him to reach a constitutional destination. It is also the starting point for a democratic journey. The transition would put the acumen of present rulers to a critical test.

Will LFO deliver or fail to give a stable political system to sustain economic development? And the first step is to cobble a working and durable coalition government.

Zia and Junejo took more than six months to amend the LFO promulgated by the military dictator. Junejo was Zia’s handpicked prime minister. Now, PML(Q) is the largest party in the national assembly and its candidate for premiership is Zafarullah Jamali. He is short of the majority to form a government.

Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, an outstanding politician, once said that Pakistan is the most difficult country to govern. The situation has not changed, if not made more difficult. President Musharraf faces an uphill task to manage the country.