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HAVING great expectations, Nawaz Sharif has emerged as a new leader quite contrary to what he was during his previous terms. He now looks more confident with a set direction to follow.
During his next term as prime minister I can foresee him:
Curtailing rampant corruption.
Building good relations with all its neighbours giving priority to Pakistan rather than be a proxy in trying to solve problems of other countries before his own.
Doing free trade with all his neighbours, with all of them listed as Most Favoured Nation.
Curbing militancy by consensus, counselling and negotiating rather than by the barrel of the gun.
Ensuring that awards, grants, funding, etc., benefit the people at the grassroots level.
Paying attention to the energy crisis and bringing in cheaper energy by promoting green energy in the country.
Bringing peace to Balochistan by offering business and job opportunities to the deprived youth and the downtrodden rather than by the barrel of the gun.
Conducting detailed geological exploration in the country, specially in Balochistan, and assisting and offering subsidies to the locals, empowering them with technical support by the government to enable them to take up mining activities themselves.
Paying attention to the processing and upgrading of minerals and their export. Supporting mineral - based industries for value - added end products.
Resolving the issues between the Tethyan Copper Company and the government of Balochistan that can change the fate of the province and the country.
Making Balochistan a haven for foreign investors in terms of minerals, renewable energy, tourism and agriculture and ensuring unrestricted travel of foreigners/foreign investors to the province.
The opposition, therefore, should adopt a positive approach and make valuable recommendations to benefit the people and the country.
ABID S. MUSTIKHAN Karachi
Karachi situation
PEOPLE are out on the streets in small numbers now and perhaps the crowd will get bigger to ask for the change Karachi needs; now is the time for the new central and provincial governments to take steps as soon as they come into power.
Regardless, the political temperatures need to be brought down otherwise undesirable situations will develop that will hurt the people and the country.
Time is now to change the attitude and focus on the country’s progress.
M. HASAN Karachi
