Pakistan institutions and youth.

Qazi Zulqarnain ul Haq

10 October, 2021.

Pakistan Tehreek e Insaaf – Strengthening Pakistan

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf is one of the most popular political parties and the current ruling party

of Pakistan. It appeared on the Pakistani Political arena on 25 April 1996 led by the former cricket super

star Imran Khan Niazi. However, PTI (Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf) struggled to win even a single seat in

the general elections of Pakistan in 1997. And in 2002, only Khan was able to secure the single seat in the

National Assembly from his home constituency. PTI only emerged as a major political player in

Pakistan’s national politics after 2011, because by this time PTI started appealing the youth of the country

who holds the biggest vote bank. The vison of the party is straight forward, as the name implies

“Tahreek-e-Insaaf” which translates into the movement for justice. PTI gained momentum and mass

support by fighting the corrupt and crippled political system while promising for a better future based

upon the idealistic governance of the Islamic state of Medina envisioning a ‘Naya Pakistan’ that is

confident in itself.

The election manifesto of PTI for the general elections in 2018 consisted of various promises

which turned out to be popular among Pakistani civil society. PTI managed to secure a slight majority

wining 149 seats in the national assembly (IFES, 2018) forming the government. It was also able to form

governments in Pakhtoon Khwa and Punjab provinces and a coalition in Baluchistan. It has been three

years since the election and some people now are doubting the party’s performance, some are criticizing

the price hikes and inflation in the country. Others support all of the policies by Khan’s government and

say the government needs more time. The 2018 election manifesto included goals like inclusive economic

growth, strengthening of the federation, accountability and governance transformation, revolutionized

social services among many others. This paper will be an analytical overview on the performance of the
Imran Khan’s government with a focus on the one of its promises before the elections, that of

strengthening the federation with a special focus on FATA, GB and Karachi. The paper will be drawing

from party manifesto compared with their ground work and achievements and failures.

The 2018 election manifesto of PTI dedicates a whole chapter labeled ‘Strengthening the Federation’.

This chapter has many components including the integration of FATA with KP, creation of South Punjab

province, Political and Socio-economic empowerment of Gilgit-Baltistan, and transforming Karachi

among others. FATA (Federally Administered Tribal Areas) is the north western part of KP which has

been running under a complicated tribal system and administered directly by Islamabad, having special

representation in both of the upper and lower houses. This region found itself caught in the midst of the

decades long war on terror which left it under developed for so long. FATA has now been completely

integrated into the KP province as far as the constitution is concerned. The National Assembly of Pakistan

passed the FATA merger bill on 24th may 2018 by amending the Article 1 of the constitution of Pakistan

along with modifying Article 246 and repelling Article 247 which place tribal areas and other federal

units under the direct control of the President. On 27th may 2018 a bill was passed by the KP provincial

assembly to fully merge FATA into its territories. Specific allocation of seats in both the houses were

dissolved by amendment under Article 51 and 59. And special funds were allocated for reconstruction

and development of war-torn FATA which were to be transferred from the federal government to KP

administration. (Wasim, 2018) Soon after this bill was passed PTI also came into power in the Federal as

well along with KP provincial assembly. the bill was passed by the assembly during Nawaz League

tenure, it would be unjust not giving PTI its due credit as the PMLN government was dissolved within

two days after the passing of the bill. PTI is fighting the challenges for consolidation of FATA, in order to

make the full merger of FATA into KP and uplifting the socio-economic conditions of the its people

complete transfer of the funds allocated in the initial bill is necessary, however, it has been three years

into the PTI government and yet this transfer of funds is not visible. Even though PTI is in power in both

Federal and KP assemblies nevertheless the provincial government is not happy with its counterpart in the
center because of a non-transfer of funds which were allocated for development and reconstruction of

FATA. People from FATA also organized a protest in Islamabad seeking reversal of the merger and for

their due rights earlier this year which were not prearranged after the FATA merger, which is instigating

rage among locals. A petition filed in supreme court challenging the merger with KPK has shaped further

complications for the ruling party in fulfilling their manifesto. Keeping all this scenario in mind it is safe

to say that PTI has partially faced failure in meeting their goal of a FATA consolidation. Khan’s

administration has tried its best since then but again it has failed to provide the people of FATA a

reasonable response for the delay.

According to some people, a similar; but in fact, a totally different promise in PTI’s 2018 election

manifesto was Political and Socio-Economic empowerment of GiB (Gilgit-Baltistan). The constitutional

status of Gilgit Baltistan has remained in a limbo since the conception of Pakistan itself. A collection of

former princely states revolted against the Dogra regime of Kashmir and drove out the invaders without

any external (Pakistani) help. And then chose to be a part of Pakistan unconditionally; unlike other major

provinces which became Pakistan just by the demarcation of a boundary by some British ‘gentlemen’.

The newly independent regions of Gilgit-Baltistan were termed FANA (Federally Administered Northern

Areas) and run via Frontier Crimes Regulation Act ‘a Blacklaw’ termed by many lawmakers. It was not

until 2008 when these regions were merely given the name Gilgit Baltistan, however the state failed to

process the legislation of transferring basic constitutional rights of identity and self-governance. Ever

since the PAK-China Economic corridor emerged on Pakistan’s Political-Economy map, Gilgit Baltistan

has become the center of the spotlight again. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf was keen about the position of

GB and made various promises of filling in the constitutional hole it has been experiencing for so long.

The demands of people of GB are simple; either make Gilgit Baltistan an integral part of Pakistan

by considering it as the 5th province or give it the right of self-governance similar to that of Azad

Kashmir. After taking charge in 2018, contrary to the promises made in manifesto, Khan’s administration

only showed some interest during general elections of GB held in 2020. It was during these days that PTI
announced to make GB ‘a provisional constitutional Province’. The people of GB although not happy, but

following the phrase ‘a bird in hand is better than two in the bushes’ showed enormous support to PTI. In

order to give GB even a provisional provincial status Article 1 in the constitution of Pakistan must be

amended. According to information ministry sources the minister of law and justice has finalized a

proposed legislation to incorporate GB as a provisional province into Pakistan via amendment in article 1

because of its strategic significance. (Asad, 2021) Imran Khan is expected to visit GB on 1st November,

its Independence Day celebrations, and announce the proposed legislation, which the ruling party clams

as one of its major achievements. Still, many stakeholders are skeptical about the decision as they claim

not being taken into consideration and also not progress has been witnessed in the parliament. Especially

youth totally reject the idea of a ‘provisional’ status as they consider it to be a lollipop and is not enough

to fill in the 75 years of constitutional and basic human rights deprivation.

PTI administration somehow managed to uplift the socio-economic status of mases in the region.

The prime minister recently announced a package of Rs370 billion for a five-year developmental

program. The prime minister said that he had been waiting a "long time" to bring such a package for GB

"which could bring development in actual terms to the region". (Dawn.com, 2021) This is first time in the

history of GB, where the federal government has announced such a package. The PTI government has

engaged in serious steps for uplifting tourism in the region such as national bank of Pakistan provided soft

loans for hotel industry, the bank has allocated 200 million for the program. A special tourism police

force, equipped with modern equipment and special training has been raised by the efforts of federal

government for assistance of tourists (Wazir, 2021) but then again, these initiatives facilitate outsiders

more than the indigenous residents, which is a genuine concern of the youth. in short, the ruling party has

succeeded in fulfilling some of the its second degree promises, as the people of GB consider the issue of

their identity being primary ones.

Travelling to the southernmost part of the federation lies Karachi, the largest city in Pakistan

which proves to be the hub of economy generating about $164 billion GDP in 2019. Alas this city has
been left in ruins by negligence of many former governments along with the bad administration of the

city. Recent surge in terrorism has its own share in shaping the current image of Karachi additionally,

urban flooding in 2020 had turned the city of lights into ruins which verifies that Karachi is neglected for

years, as result Karachi is on brink of chaos. The federal government undertook many steps to give

Karachi its previous magnificence, the state as a whole will surely benefit by strengthening Karachi,

hence prime minister Imran khan announced a special package of 1100 billion rupees after the devasting

floods of 2020.this was the biggest package by any government for any city in the history of country,

different development and reconstruction projects were also announced by the PTI’s government some of

which are near to completion. The transportation system of the city is one of the worst of the country and

a better transportation system is the long-awaited demand of residents of Karachi, this demand is shortly

going to turn into reality for the Karachiites in the form of green line metro bus project. Lastly, Prime

minister Imran khan has recently inaugurated the Karachi circular railway (KCR) a state of art modern

electric train project which will not only resolve all the transportation problems but will also reduce the

flow of traffic on roads of Karachi. One of the major issue was scarcity of clean water for the citizens, to

address this major problem the federal government has now started work on K4 water project, this will

solve water crisis of Karachi in future.

In conclusion would be easy to deduce that first three years of the government for PTI were very

challenging, the ruling party is still struggling in fulfilling its promised manifesto, it has showed excellent

performance on some of the promises and worst performance on many. The government is making very

slow progress in consolidation of FATA with KPK, which is raising many questions and doubts specially

in the minds of residents of FATA. The disenfranchised and deprived people of GB are still looking

towards the ruling government for justice and their due rights. The government made rapid progress in

regard to secondary issues of the region but are making very little efforts for primary promises. The

government announced a big package for the city of lights which is going to be the game changer for

Karachi and for the country as a whole.

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2. https://www.dw.com/en/fresh-imf-deal-a-political-blow-to-pakistan-pm-imran-khan/a-48719858.

3. Wasim, D. | A. (2018, May 25). National Assembly Green-lights FATA-KP merger by passing

'historic' bill. DAWN.COM. Retrieved October 6, 2021, from https://www.dawn.com/news/1409710.

4. Asad, M. (2021, August 1). Proposed law on new status for GB finalised. DAWN.COM. Retrieved

October 6, 2021, from https://www.dawn.com/news/1638081.

5. Dawn.com. (2021, April 30). PM Imran announces rs370 billion development package for Gilgit-

Baltistan. DAWN.COM. Retrieved October 6, 2021, from https://www.dawn.com/news/1621242.

6. Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Government of Pakistan. (I. Wazir, Ed.), Three Years

Performance Report (2021). Islamabad, ICT; DIRECTORATE OF ELECTRONIC MEDIA AND

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