Naya & Purana Pakistan and Advice of Army Chief
By: Abdul Basit Alvi
On 23 March 2013, Khan introduced the Naya Pakistan Resolution (New Pakistan) at the start of his election campaign. He has been repeatedly saying to provide a uniform justice system for all. During his victory speech, he laid out the policy outlines for his future government. Khan said his inspiration is to build Pakistan as a humanitarian state based on principles of Riasat E Madina, the first Islamic state of Medina. He described that his future government will put the poor and commoners of the country first and all policies will be geared towards elevating the standards of living of the lesser fortunate. He promised an investigation into rigging allegations. He said that he wanted a united Pakistan and would refrain from victimizing his political opponents. Everyone would be equal under the law. He promised a simple and less costly government, devoid of showy pompousness in which the prime minister’s house will be converted into an educational institute and governor houses will be used for public benefit. He said to bring a uniform education system for all. During his electoral campaign he promised to provide Fifty Lakh houses and one Crore jobs. His ideology took attention of the masses especially youth.
Opposition leaders in Pakistan hailed the historic event as Prime Minister Imran Khan became the first premier in the country’s history to be removed through a no-confidence motion. The joint opposition – a rainbow of liberal, and radically religious parties – secured the support of 174 members in the 342-member National Assembly, more than the needed strength of 172 to oust the prime minister on a day that witnessed a uncertainty with multiple adjournments of the lower house.Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan lost a crucial trust vote in the National Assembly, paving way for the joint opposition to form a government ahead of upcoming elections.
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif assured that the joint opposition after forming the government at the Centre, will not take revenge against their political opponents. “…we thank everyone for their sacrifices, and now, once again, a Pakistan based on Constitution and law is about to come into existence,” the former Punjab chief minister told the National Assembly after the vote. He spoke of healing the divided nation as he emphasised, “When the time comes, we will speak in detail, but we want to heal the wounds of the nation; we will not send innocent people to jails, and we will not take revenge”.
Meanwhile, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari congratulated the nation, saying “we have made history”. “I would like to congratulate the whole nation and this House, as for the first time in the history of the country, a no-confidence motion has succeeded and we have made history,” said Bilawal. Pakistan Former PM Benazir Bhutto’s son recalled the events associated with April 10, noting that the country approved the 1973 Constitution on this day. “On April 10, 1986, Benazir Bhutto ended her self-imposed exile and arrived in Lahore to launch her struggle against Ziaul haq,” he added. The PPP leader then went on to say that on April 10, 2022, the person who was declared “selected” by the Opposition and became an “undemocratic burden” on the country faced the end of his rule. “Today, on April 20, 2022, we welcome [you] back to the Purana Pakistan,” Geo News quoted Bilawal as saying.
While, PML-N leader Maryam Nawaz Sharif welcomed the ouster of the PTI government saying, “The nightmare for my beloved Pakistan is over.””Time to heal & repair,” she wrote on Twitter.
The new government has been continuously blaming Khan’s government for current financial crises. Government leaders have been saying that the situation of reserves and inflation was much better in Purana Pakistan and only Khan is responsible for the current worst situation. While, Khan during his period has been insisting that Opposition is a group of thieves who have been looting Pakistan since 70 years. He ensured to build a Naya Pakistan with much better living conditions. Accusations and blames have been seen from both sides which resembles as a race for point scoring.
In this race of blaming and accusing, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir has called upon everyone to give up the debate of “Naya” and “Purana” and instead talk about “our Pakistan”. He also explained that the current campaign against terrorists was part of the already approved strategy of the state. “This campaign will include all the necessary components of the government like legal, economic, social and foreign besides security institutions,” he said during an in-camera briefing on national security situation in the National Assembly Hall. According to sources privy to the session, Gen Asim said, “The elected representatives of people should determine the country’s destination, and the army will fully support them in the journey to development and success.” The MNAs welcomed the army chief’s views by thumping desks while Gen Asim congratulated the parliament and its members on the 50th anniversary of the implementation of the 1973 Constitution. People exercise their right to express opinion through the Constitution and parliament, he said, adding that “sovereignty belongs to Almighty Allah and the Constitution has been empowered by the command of Allah Almighty”. He added that the Constitution states that the power will be exercised by the elected representatives of the people. This was Gen Asim’s first briefing to lawmakers after he took over from his predecessor Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa in November last year.
Readers, Pakistan is facing the worst economic crises in the history and during these situations the statement from our Army Chief is a good sign and have been welcomed by all segments of the society. It’s time to be unite and practically work for the progress and development of the country rather than blaming each other. Nation demands from the leadership to come out of the debate of Naya and Purana Pakistan and just work for The Pakistan.
