KARACHI: Blame it on ignorance, fatalism, apathy, de-politicisation, trust deficit, lethargy or wisdom derived from political history, the fact is that people of Pakistan are either indifferent or too confused to differentiate between political parties on the basis of their manifestos. It could also be the speed of political events over the past few weeks that has left them baffled.

The sections that benefited disproportionately from the economic growth achieved during the last military-led dispensation are particularly sceptical as they perceived their good fortunes not entirely earned but an outcome also of soft policies drafted to suit their interests. That might change under the next government no matter what the manifestos say.

They were cynical opposing political parties per se without pinpointing deficiencies in their programmes.

The representatives of overseas investors, however, hailed manifestos of leading political parties for being comprehensive and signalling continued support for growth-oriented economic policies.

Those who were at the fringes of the economic mainstream or failed to earn the type of support they aspired to during Musharraf/ Aziz government were indifferent. They were unmoved either because they consider political parties too weak (to be able to hold the show for a reasonable time period) or deceiving (using populist programmes merely to win public support to gain power which will again be used to perpetuate interests of a narrow band of cronies).

However, there were some wise men who raised some fairly valid points: where does the money come from for all the ambitious pro-people social sector uplift plans? The manifestos seem to have evaded this key issue.

They saw incorporation of the charter of democracy in the manifestos of PPP and PML-N symbolising consensus among two bigger opposition parties to contain advances of military in civilian affairs which, they said, have great economic ramifications.

But why wouldn’t they co-opt with the military that in Pakistan is too powerful than to confront it at the risk of being driven out of power again was a question that they failed to answer.

A majority of people, including business leaders, contacted by Dawn for their comments on the manifestos all over the country offered general political commentary. Many fearful of a backlash requested anonymity.

The seasoned professional managers of multinational companies, who publicly demanded of the political parties to announce manifestos for them to understand different possible future scenarios that can emerge after elections, came back prepared. Mr Zubyr Soomro, Chief Country Officer, Citibank, spoke to Dawn in his capacity as President, Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He found manifestos of leading political parties encouraging as “they clearly seem to support growth oriented economic policies”. He referred to the PPP manifesto where it talks of developing an Asian common market.

The OICCI President mentioned the PML-N manifesto that emphasised of micro finance that it intends to use to alleviate poverty. He felt overseas investors were happy that all political parties have dealt with the issue of education that they felt is crucial to their business interests in Pakistan.

“For us it means we will have more skilled manpower and better management cadre”. These investors also felt strongly about provincial autonomy that to them mean “better quicker” response from the government. These businessmen were little anxious over the future of judicial framework for resolution of commercial disputes.

“In a country where the constitution failed to command the sanctity it deserves what credibility could manifestos of foot loose political parties possibly enjoy. The people of Pakistan are highly politicised but their allegiance to a particular party is based on factors other than sustainability of their economic programmes,” Syed Ijlal, an auditor from Karachi, defended the people.

Many professionals and corporate elite, trying to hide their fundamental support for the army, (they perceive it as the most powerful and dependable institution), trashed all parties and their programmes. They painted the whole exercise of general elections futile.

“The country needs a fiscally responsible government that ensures continuity of policies and stability to continue forward journey on the path of high growth. A political government tends to be averse to difficult economic decisions and give in to popular demands even when it should not”, said a CEO of a conglomerate based in Karachi.

“The bankers, brokers, realtors, retailers and others who were pampered by the military led government in return for their political support are understandably uncomfortable. They perceive any gain of ordinary people as their loss”, said a retired businessman, who sits as a director on the board of many companies.

Had elections been held last year around the same time with the same parties in the run, the manifestos would have been even less exciting than what they are now, commented an analyst at a foreign bank. A year of high-pitched political activity in the country must have modified both tone and contents of the political parties’ programmes that they cobbled together to charm their voters and indicate the direction they wish to take the country if voted to power.

A distinctive feature that separates both bigger opposition parties, eg the PPP and PML-N, from the hitherto ruling PML-Q is their pledge to limit the role of the army to defence of the country if voted to power.

Dr Asad Saeed, an economist, felt that this is the first time that political parties have defined civil-military relationship in their manifestos. He pointed out that while opposition parties have dealt with most issues confronting the nation, the PML-Q has for reasons unexplained not even mentioned the word inflation in its manifesto.

On the basis of their economic programmes alone, however, it is hard to distinguish PPP from PML-N and both from PML-Q.

If one looks beneath the verbosity and variation in formatting, the thrust of the economic programme of all parties is the same: to facilitate a market-driven economy in Pakistan by pursuing policies of deregulation, privatisation and liberalisation. All parties, aware of the compulsions and challenges that globalisation poses, have indicated indirectly their willingness to implement donors advised second generation governance reform programme.

“I see no harm if manifestos of leading political parties are broadly similar. It reflects a national consensus and improves the prospects of continuity of economic policies and a stable national government after the election, necessary for achieving meaningful development based on expansion in agriculture and industry,” a self-proclaimed optimist commented from Islamabad.

As expected, the opposition has played on weaknesses of Musharraf/Shaukat Aziz government in their manifestos. Inflation has increased uncontrollably over the last few years, driving people up the wall leaving them alive without life. All parties have promised to control price spiral.

The wedge between rich and poor visibly increased to break all previous records during the last government. The political parties have promised to lift those left behind to close the yawning gap between the rich and poor by adopting policies that target poorer sections and backward areas.

The political parties have pledged to address infrastructural deficiency issues to support industrialisation, better water management to prop up agriculture growth, focus on education as a factor that opens up possibility of upward mobility for poor children, better affordable health, gender mainstreaming, labour policies cantered on higher productivity, more consideration for environment.

The people of Pakistan crave a peaceful, reasonably comfortable life with dignity. They are tired of being worried all the time for every damn thing. They want a chance to be all they can be. They do not want to settle for anything less than what they perceive to be their due.

They know education is important. They want it for their children. They know most ailments are curable; they want access to affordable health facilities.

They need employment, housing, gas, electricity, potable water, sewerage facilities and better transport and communication systems. They long for an independent judiciary, free media, a lean and clean government, transparency, merit-based recruitment and promotion policies and a sensitised caring order free of arms and suicide vests.

The beauty of democracy is that it has an inbuilt mechanism to force even the most arrogant of the power aspirants to bend before the multitude to win their support in elections. Even most callous has to pretend to be caring, intelligent and capable of resolving issues bothering the people.