CONCLUSION
FOREWORD
by
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto
Chairman, Pakistan People's Party
In our first Manifesto in 1970 we
described Pakistan as a nation betrayed a monument to the unfulfilled
hopes and aspirations of the Muslims of the sub-continent. We recognized
that the existing dispensation between the two wings of Pakistan was
unjust and gravely imperiled the unity of the nation. We acknowledged
that the existing capitalist structure was incapable of making good the
harm already done to the country. We were proved right. It is
universally acknowledged that the country subsequently went through her
gravest crisis since Independence; and only the advent of the People's
Party Government in December 1971 saved Pakistan.
On December 20, 1971, I became President
of a country physically dismembered and partially occupied by the enemy,
who also held over 90,000 prisoners of war. Communications and industry
were virtually at a standstill. The people were stunned by the sudden
defeat and totally demoralized. Not only was the continued physical
existence of the remainder of Pakistan in jeopardy, but, even more
important, the very ideological concept of Pakistan was cast in doubt
both at home and abroad.
In those circumstances, when the survival
of the country was the first priority, it would not have been surprising
if we had failed to fulfill the promises of our Manifesto. However, we
redeemed our pledges. We remained conscious of our promise that the
Manifesto was no mere vote-catching device; and, against all human odds,
we have fulfilled the programme which we put before the people.
With the support of the people, we have
re-forged the nation and given it a constitutional framework. We have
revived and restructured the economy by striking off the shackles of
feudal and capitalist exploitation. We have given a fresh impetus and
new direction to industry. In agriculture, we have attained a level of
self-sufficiency in food production which had long eluded the country.
In pursuit of our goal of an egalitarian society, we have improved the
lot of the common man, both peasant and worker. We have strengthened our
national defence. We have held high the banner of Islam in Pakistan; we
have made the fullest contribution to the unity of the Muslim world and
the cause of Islam throughout the world. We have gained the respect of
all nations, particularly those of the Third World whose lot we suffer
and whose cause we champion.
What more could we have done in five
years? We would certainly like to have done more, especially to
alleviate the hardships of the common man. I am fully conscious of the
difficult times you face, particularly because of the inflation that has
hit Pakistan as indeed it has hit the rest of the world. I am also
conscious of our shortcomings. No Government can be perfect. We lay no
claim to infallibility. Those who do only deceive the people.
The policy underlying the present
Manifesto is to carry forward the task we have undertaken to build on
our achievements. We have, in the past five years, restructured the
economy; and from this will follow, in the next five years, a
qualitative improvement in the living standards of our people. This
Manifesto is inspired by the idealism with which we launched the
Movement against dictatorship and the capitalist system; and balanced by
realism derived from experience.
In your hands lies the decision as to
whether the nation advances under the PPP towards a more prosperous and
glorious Pakistan, or reverts to its former confusion ending in
self-destruction. I am confident your decision will be correct.
I thank Allah Almighty for His Guidance
and Infinite Mercy, and the people of Pakistan for the support they have
given the Government during these past five years. Without such guidance
and support we would have had the courage to face the difficulties that
confronted us nor strength to overcome them.
For the challenge of the future, I pray
for Divine Guidance and your continued support.
ZULFIKAR ALI BHUTTO
CHAPTER I
WHAT WE INHERITED
When the Pakistan People's Party presented
its first Manifesto to the people of Pakistan in 1970, we recognized
that a grave crisis entailing major changes lay ahead. We believed that
the future prosperity of Pakistan lay not only in a change in the
political structure but, more important, in the economic structure of
the country. The initiation of such change was all the more difficult
because a transfer of power had to be effected from military to civilian
government, and a constitutional framework had to be evolved taking into
account the legitimate aspirations of the people of both wings and' all
the Provinces of Pakistan.
To evolve such a constitutional framework
for the first time in the history of Pakistan was itself a monumental
task fraught with difficulties. It called for the cooperation of all
parties to work within a national framework and with the national
interest upper most. But the Generals' Junta were reluctant and
insincere about transferring power after wielding it for many years; and
the leadership of the Awami League did not want to operate within the
framework of a united Pakistan. The other parties and cliques in West
Pakistan were equally irresponsible in flirting with the military and
the Awami League, interested only in their own short-term gain.
The glorious reality of Islam, the basis
of Pakistan, became a mere expedient in the hands of unscrupulous
politicians and the Military Junta. Abandoned was the unity of Pakistan.
The PPP had already, seen the potential
rift between the East and West Wings of the country. We were the only
West Pakistani party that had warned in our Basic Foundation Documents
and in our first Manifesto that the exploitative economic structure
could not continue. Our programme incorporated a solution to the
problems. But the solution involved political as well as socio-economic
change which the vested interests could not countenance. The dangers of
the- status quo were ignored and our warnings disregarded.
On September 29, 1971, the Chairman of the
PPP said, "It is our considered opinion that if democracy is not
restored before the end of the year, it will be too late to salvage and
save Pakistan." Before the year ended, Pakistan was indeed dismembered
and defeated.
The 1971 December War with India not only
brought about the loss of East Pakistan but also the occupation of over
5,000 square miles of territory in West Pakistan. More than 90,000
Pakistanis, soldiers, sailors, airmen, civilians, women and children,
were prisoners in India. Both internally and externally, what was left
of Pakistan was in total disarray.
Internally, with the loss of East
Pakistan, the balance of the economy based on the complementary nature
of the two wings was completely upset. The national exchequer was nearly
empty, and foreign exchange reserves drained. Pakistan's currency was a
fraction of its official value. Industry was grinding to a halt and the
labour situation was explosive. The port of Karachi, and rail and road
transportation, were severely disrupted. Oil storage dumps had been
severely damaged; threatening activity in every sphere, even-
agricultural production.
Not only was Pakistan thus physically
dismembered and shattered but the very concept and ideology of Pakistan
seemed to have disappeared over-night. Our people were bewildered as to
what had become of the Pakistan for which millions of Muslims had made
sacrifices. The cataclysmic change not only brought confusion at home;
it also added strength to the attack on the two-nation theory by the
section of the people who had opposed the partition of the
sub-continent.
The bankruptcy of the previous
Government's policy was as much evident externally as at home.
Internationally, Pakistan's reputation had plummeted to its lowest
depths. Our friends abroad were genuinely, concerned about the future
viability of the country after the sudden and shattering defeat. Our
enemies were exultant, waiting to pounce on the remainder of Pakistan.
Overseas, Pakistan was depicted as four separate Provinces flying apart
in different directions.
Our bruised and sundered nation was facing
its greatest ever trial. It was in these circumstances that the PPP
Government came into office, on December 20, 1971.
CHAPTER II
PROMISES FULFILLED
Perspective
In the circumstances we inherited, it
would have been a major achievement of the PPP Government merely to have
held together the remainder of the country, and guide it on a stable
course. Not only did the PPP Government achieve this remarkable feat;
elected by the people and bound by its pledge to them, we were
determined to fulfill to the maximum extent possible the terms of our
mandate.
The main aim outlined in our 1970
Manifesto was the establishment of an egalitarian society through the
transformation of the economy by ending the old exploitative feudal and
capitalist structure. In the field of external affairs, it was to
establish an independent foreign policy and play a full role in
promoting the solidarity of the Muslim peoples and the progress of the
Third World. We can, with justifiable pride, look back on our success in
fulfilling our election pledges.
Our achievements have indeed been
numerous. No doubt we may have made mistakes on this long march of five
years. But when one looks back on the obstacles and difficulties we have
encountered during this period, it is a source of both wonderment and
inspiration that we successfully overcame them, that Pakistan has not
only survived but moved forward purposefully in attaining the objectives
envisaged by the Founder of the Nation, Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah.
One of the greatest obstacles to progress
lay regrettably in the Opposition parties. They failed the people of
Pakistan by hindering the growth of national unity. Already they had
contributed to the crisis which led to the dismemberment of Pakistan.
Now, after December 1971, despite the enormity of the problems facing
the country, they continued to indulge in petty politics in pursuit of
their own selfish interests. Whereas national consolidation was the main
goal of the people of Pakistan, the Opposition parties sought to exploit
provincialism, parochialism and sectarianism for their own ends. In this
they were used wittingly or unwittingly by foreign interests.
In an effort to promote the democratic
process, the PPP constantly attempted to establish and maintain a
dialogue with the Opposition. As the Government party, with an
overwhelming majority in the National Assembly, there was no compulsion
to do so. Our motives were based on the need to promote national
consolidation through consensus. But our efforts were deliberately
frustrated by the Opposition.
After unconditionally withdrawing the ban
on the National Awami Party, the PPP initiated political discussions
with the National Awami Party (NAP) and the Jamiat-ul-Ulema-i-Islam (JUI)
in Baluchistan and the North West Frontier Province (NWFP). We went so
far as to install their nominees as Governors of those Provinces, which
was a novel departure in the history of the subcontinent. Whereas the
PPP Federal Government sought to encourage maximum cooperation between
the Federal Government and the Provinces, the NAP/JUI Provincial
Governments took it upon themselves to defy the Federal authority at
every turn.
The NAP fostered open and armed
insurrection in Baluchistan, and terrorist and sabotage activities in
the NWFP. Not only were members of the armed and security forces killed;
even civilians and innocent children were not spared. The Senior
Minister of the NWFP Government, Hayat Mohammad Khan Sherpao, was
assassinated at Peshawar University in a bomb blast.
In Sind, attempts were made to revive the
Sindhu Desh Movement. The language issue was misrepresented and inflated
out of all proportion in order to sabotage the success of the Simla
Agreement with India.
In the Punjab, unscrupulous politicians
gave a deliberately distorted version of the Government's actions,
claiming dishonestly and falsely that they were upholding the rights of
the Province. The ugly specter of provincial chauvinism emerged in the
largest Province of Pakistan. Had the people been duped by it, the
destruction of the country would undoubtedly have followed.
The Opposition parties' threats of civil
disobedience, even at a time of national disaster such as the floods of
1973, never found enough popular support to progress beyond words. Their
attempts to frustrate the democratic process by boycotting the National
and Provincial Assemblies failed through lack of sympathy from the broad
masses.
Apart from attempting to cause dissension
at home, the Opposition parties also sought to destroy our good
relations with foreign powers. On several occasions they showed
deliberate discourtesy to visiting dignitaries in an attempt to prove
that Pakistan was a divided country. False allegations were made of
secret deals with allies to the detriment of the country. Gunrunning was
organized. Some of the parties even boasted that they had the support of
foreign powers. What greater insult could there have been to the
integrity of a sovereign and independent Pakistan.
The problems created by the
anti-democratic and anti-national forces of the Opposition parties and
the tactics they adopted were serious obstacles. The PPP Government's
programme and efforts were further undermined by other vested interests.
Big business illegally took its capital overseas, and indulged in
large-scale 'tax evasion, price manipulation, hoarding, black-marketing
and smuggling.
In addition to these factors, the
country's economic recovery received a serious setback on account of
natural disasters. The floods of 1973 and the flood and rain damage in
1976 were the worst ever in the history of Pakistan. The drought of 1974
brought the rivers to their lowest level ever recorded. In a primarily
agrarian economy, the loss to the country was incalculable.
The economic crisis in Pakistan was all
the more desperate because it was set in the context of a continuing
upheaval throughout the world. Even before the PPP assumed the reins of
government, the entire world economy was suffering from inflation
because of the economic effects of the Vietnam War, the U.S. balance of
payments deficit and international monetary instability. A further blow
to developing countries like Pakistan was dealt by global inflation,
with an unprecedented increase in world prices which appeared in 1973
and continued thereafter. There was a rapid and uncontrolled price
spiral affecting goods such as machinery, petroleum products,
fertilizers and edible oil which are essential imports for Pakistan.
This vicious circle held all countries like Pakistan - which are neither
industrially developed nor oil producing - in its grip. What made it
more strangulating was that, in rapid succession, inflation was followed
by the worst international recession since the 1930s and we had to
contend with a shattering decline in the prices of our exports. While
the prices of commodities we imported rose dramatically, the value of
our exports was seriously affected by the slackness of international
demand due to recession and the adverse terms of trade. That we
moderated the impact of this economic catastrophe, the causes of which
were beyond our control, and maintained our development programme
testifies to the success of our stewardship of the nation's economy.
Although we could well have used the
immense difficulties we inherited and encountered as justifiable reason
for not fulfilling our Manifesto promises, we rejected that easy way
out. Unlike past Governments who ran away from their promises, we run
proudly on our record of redeemed pledges. This we could only have
achieved with the support of the people.
We have many successes to our credit of
which we are justly proud. We shall not recount them here because they
are there for all to see. But we will recount the important pledges that
we made to the people in our first Manifesto. It was for our promises
the people voted, and in our promises they placed their trust. We have
faithfully redeemed our pledges and repaid the confidence that the
people placed in us.
Islam
The Manifesto of the PPP declared at the
outset that "Islam is our Faith". We pledged that our programme would be
in accord with the substance and spirit of Islam. The policies of the
PPP during the past five years have been inspired by our pledge and
implemented for the glory of Islam with a devotion unmatched by any
previous Government.
For the first time the provisions of the
Constitution faithfully reflect Islamic ideology. Islam has been
declared the State religion. We have enshrined in the Constitution our
pledge that we will countenance no laws repugnant to the Qur'an and
Sunnah.
The PPP Government have by way of concrete
measures -
Resolved the 90 year old Qadiani issue by
clearly defining in the Constitution that a person who does not believe
in the absolute and unqualified finality of the Prophet-hood of Muhammad
(peace be upon him) is not a Muslim.
Convened a Summit Conference of all heads
of Muslim States and Governments in Lahore in February 1974.
Declared that, from July 1977, Friday
instead of Sunday will be the weekly holiday.
Organized for the first time an
International Seerat Congress and arranged visits by the Imams of Ka'aba
Sharif and Masjid-i-Nabvi.
Removed restrictions on Hajis imposed by
previous regimes, thereby enabling nearly 300,000 Pakistanis to perform
Haj during the past five years.
Formulated and adopted a well-planned
policy for Ziarat.
Enacted laws to ensure error-free printing
of the Holy Qur'an.
Promulgated the Dowry and Bridal Gifts
Restriction Act, which, in keeping with the spirit of Islam, spares the
common man the crushing burden of expenditure at the time of marriage.
Changed the Red Cross to the Red Crescent
Society.
The Constitution
The PPP had promised a Constitution
envisaging an Islamic, democratic, parliamentary and federal form of
Government. We have redeemed this pledge.
Within months of assuming office, we
introduced the Interim Constitution with effect from April 21, 1972. We
withdrew Martial Law on that same date although we had a mandate to
extend it up to August 14, 1972.
On April 12, 1973, the first permanent
Constitution was passed unanimously b y the representatives of the
people directly elected by adult franchise, and came into force on 14th
August, 1973.
The Constitution is federal in structure
and has given more autonomy to the Provinces than they ever earlier
enjoyed. At the same time the Constitution provides a definite national
framework with an effective Federal authority. Thus the issue of
provincial autonomy which had defied solution for decades was finally
resolved with the agreement of all the Provinces. In keeping with the
federal nature of the Constitution, a Senate has for the first time been
established, giving equal representation to all the Provinces. Moreover,
a Council of Common Interests has been created with equal representation
from the Federation and the Provinces to formulate and regulate policies
in relation to specific matters of common interest.
The form of Government is parliamentary.
All members of the Government must be members of parliament. The
Government has been made accountable `o Parliament.
For the first time in Pakistan, the
constitutional provisions are designed to eliminate all forms of
exploitation.
The Constitution has been a major step in
national consolidation, and has created a framework for a progressive
society.
Economic Direction and
Industry
In our 1970 Manifesto we promised that all
the vital sectors of industrial production and finance would bb put in
the public sector. This pledge has been redeemed.
We nationalized, on January 2, 1972, ten
basic' industries and subsequently the ghee industry. The following
industries are now exclusively in the public sector:
a Steel
and basic metals.
b) Heavy engineering.
c) Heavy electrical goods.
d) Fertilizers.
e) Automobiles and trucks.
f). Tractors.
g) Petroleum refining, petro-chemicals, heavy and basic chemicals.
h) Cement,
i) Vegetable ghee.
j), Public utilities like gas and electricity.
In the fields of light engineering
chemicals both the State and the private sector are operating. He public
sector is also playing a vigorous role in the sugar and textile
industries, particularly in the less developed areas.
We had promised that banks -and insurance
companies would be nationalized. In March 1972, we nationalized life
insurance, and banking on January 1, 1974.
The PPP Government also nationalized
shipping and two important petroleum distributing companies.
We promised to end the exploitation of the
capitalist system and he monopoly conditions under which it operated. In
pursuit of this policy, we abolished, in early 1972, the Managing Agency
system, a legacy of the colonial past in South Asia. In addition,
control was strengthened over monopolies and the stock exchange. Changes
were introduced in the law to provide for greater accountability to, and
proper representation for, small shareholders.
We have created a mixed economy in which
private enterprise has a defined role to play in national development.
We promised that large scale export
trading would be conducted by State Corporations. In pursuance of this
promise, we have nationalized the export trade in cotton and rice, our
two principal exports.
Reforms were also undertaken in internal
trade and processing. All major commodities, cotton, wheat and rice,
have been placed exclusively or largely under the control of the State.
This important measure has already begun to provide a better return to
the agriculturist by eliminating the malpractices of the middle man.
We have done more. We have given a new
direction to industry in our effort to achieve self-reliance. Our major
industrial thrust is two-fold. Firstly, impetus has been given to basic
industries, two decades of procrastination the Steel Mills project has
launched in Karachi and major headway made in heavy e Secondly, in the
vital field of fertilizers, we have launched a massive programme which
will increase domestic production four-fold.
We have vigorously supported the drive to
find oil and gas. We have been repaid by the discovery of oil and gas at
Dhodak in the Dera Ghazi Khan District. We have undertaken a crash
programme of development of the known oil fields at Meyal and Tut.
We have accelerated the search for
minerals. As a result, copper and iron ore deposits have been
discovered.
In pursuit of our promise to reduce the
disparity between the different regions, we have given special attention
to less developed areas by setting up industries, exploiting and
conserving water resources, pro viding roads, extending the
telecommunications network and generally accelerating the pace of
development. While distributing development of resources between
Provinces on the basis of population for the first time, we have not
lost sight of the special requirements of less developed areas. We have
increased the allocations to Baluchistan by 472% from Rs. 51.7 million
in 1971-72 to Rs. 296.59 million in 1976-77; to Azad Kashmir and the
Northern Areas by 442% from Rs. 35 million to Rs. 190 million; to the
Tribal Areas by 1090% from Rs. 20.21 million to Rs. 222 million, and the
NWFP by 385% from Rs. 136.35 million to Rs. 660 million.
We have built over 5000 miles of roads;
and increased the number of telephone connections 160,000 to 281,000,
and the places connected by telephone from 535 to 1166. We have
developed the mass communication media; radio services now cover 87% of
the population, and television, which was formally confined to three
cities, has been extended to all the four Provinces covering 72% of the
population.
We have achieved a steady increase in
production, employment and consumption. In order to fulfill our pledge
to improve the life of the common man, we have ensured that the per
capita consumption of wheat has increased by 10%, pulses 25%, sugar 27%,
vegetable ghee 40% and clothing 60%.
We have launched a development effort
which has reached a level unprecedented in the history of Pakistan.
Every area of Pakistan bears witness to our achievements.
Agriculture
In our 1970 Manifesto we pointed out the
sad neglect by past regimes of the all important agricultural sector of
the economy and our deplorable dependence on imported food grains. We
promised that Pakistan would produce enough food grains to feed its own
people apart from exporting cash crops.
In the past five years we have revitalized
agriculture by revolutionizing the structure of the rural economy. As
witness to out success we have achieved a measure of self-sufficiency in
food grains which had merely been talked about in the past two decades.
The production of: wheat has gone up from an average of 5.6 million tons
in 1965-70 to 8.5 million tons in 1975-76; and rice from 1.7 million
tons to 2.6 million tons.
Increased agricultural output has been the
result of the rational policies of 'the PPP Government. The following'
measures have been taken:-
(1)
Financial allocations have
been raised from Rs. 212 million in 1971-72 to Rs. 1;336 million in
1976-77.
(2)
(2) The areas covered by
improved seeds have been increased for wheat from 7.7 million acres in
1970-71 to 10 million acres in 1975-76- and for rice from 1.3 million
acres to 1.6 million acres.
(3)
Fertilizer off take went;
up from 308,000 nutrient tons in 1970-71 to 650,000 nutrient tons.
(4)
Plant protection coverage
has been increased from 4.2 million spray acres to over 10 million
acres.
(5)
Tractor imports have
increased more than three-fold from 4000 in 1971-72; and in addition,
power tillers and rice transplanters are being imported.
(6)
The number of tube wells
went up from 88,000 in 1971-72 to 145,000.
(7)
Institutional credit was
raised from Rs. 160 million in 1971-72 to Rs. 1,800 million in
1976-77. The Pass-book system, was introduced to facilitate the flow
of credit from the financing institutions to the farmers.
(8)
Irrigation water availability at
the farm gate was increased
from 77 million acre feet in 1970-71 to 101 million
acre feet in 1976-77.
(9)
The floor prices for all major and
several minor agricultural commodities have been revised
upward.
(10) To ensure a reasonable return to growers of primary
commodities, prices of phutti and
paddy have been fixed at
Rs. 120-125/- per maund and Rs. 52/- for Basmati, Rs. 30/-- for Irri 6
per maund. All cotton ginning units,
all paddy husking units (except
single hullers), roller flour
mills (6 rollers and above) have
been taken under State
control.
(11)Agricultural
education, extension services and research
have been suitably strengthened
Land Reforms & the end of
Feudalism
In our
1970 Manifesto we pointed out that feudalism as an economic and
political force was a formidable obstacle to progress. We concluded that
"to destroy the power of the feudal land owners is
a national necessity that will have
to be carried through by practical measures of which a ceiling is only
a part."
We
have kept this pledge by taking a series of measures in the
course of the past five years,
including a drastic reduction in the
ceilings of land holdings. Together
they have brought to an end
feudalism in Pakistan and ushered in a new era of progress and prosperity
for our rural society.
The
major landmarks in fulfilling our promise were
:
March,
1972 : Massive agrarian
reforms under which :
i). Land revenue and other taxes, cusses
and levies on land were made payable by lord was also made responsible
the provision of seeds.
ii) The cost of fertilizers and pesticides
was equally apportioned between the landowner and the tenant,
iii). Begar was made illegal and
deterrent punishment provided for arbitrary ejectment.
iv). The tenant was given the first right
or pre-emption in respect of land in his tenancy.
II. 1973: The feudal levy of Shishak was
abolished in Balochistan and other
feudal levies were effectively abolished in NWFP.
III.
1975.
All
small
landowners
owning
12
acres
of
irrigated
or 24 acres of
un-irrigated land were exempted from payment
of land revenue and related cusses, development cusses and
local rate. This benefited the
vast majority of our rural
masses,
IV. 1976: (1) The Sirdari
system which was a manifestation of the
worst aspects of feudalism,
particularly in Baluchistan, was
abolished.
(2) The Co-operative Farming Law was promulgated, which,
while keeping intact the
ownership rights of individuals,
encouraged the grouping of land
holdings in economic
units to gain the benefits of the co-operative system.
(3) The Peasants' Charter was
promulgated in December, providing
for the following:-
a) All culturable waste and cultivated State land, irrigated
or un-irrigated, was reserved for landless tenants and small
landowners owning less than a subsistence holding.
b) Occupancy tenants on State lands
were given full proprietary rights subject to a maximum of a
subsistence holding.
c) Occupancy tenants on
private lands who had lost the
right to acquire proprietary
rights by reason of default
in payment of dues, were
given a grace period of one
year to acquire proprietary
rights.
d) Grantees of State land were
likewise, to the extent of subsistence holding, given one year
grace period.
e) Katcha lands in Sind were made
disposable on similar lines.
V. January, 1977: Further Land Reforms :
a)
The ceiling on individual
holdings was reduced further from 150 acres of irrigated land and 300
acres of un-irrigated land to 100 acres and 200 acres on the basis of
produce index units. All exemptions to these ceilings were nullified.
b)
The tenants will receive
free of charge proprietary rights over resumed land.
c)
The colonial system of land
revenue was totally abolished.
d)
Agricultural income tax was
introduced for the first time thus removing the privileges of the bigger
landlords and the distinction between the urban and rural areas.
e)
Holdings upto 25 acres of
irrigated and 50 acres of un-irrigated land were exempted from
agricultural income tax.
f) Exemptions
from income tax were made for investment allowances to promote
productive investment in agriculture.
In the past five years we have, through
these measures, brought about the end of feudalism in an orderly manner
without the social convulsions experienced in other countries and with
considerable economic benefit to the nation as a whole.
Labour
We, promised that we would keep uppermost
the interests of the workers and improve their living and working
conditions. Within seven weeks of coming into office, we announced, on
February 10, 1972, a new deal for workers which provided dignity and a
fair return to labour.
We have ensured security of employment,
making arbitrary dismissal challengeable in Labour Courts. We have given
the workers the right of participation in management, and doubled their
share in the net profits of factories employing more than 50 workers
resulting in the distribution of Rs. 50 million to 200,000 workers in
1974 alone.
We have, for the first time, established
an Old Age Benefit Scheme. Similarly, a Group Insurance Scheme has been
introduced for all permanent workers and payment of a minimum bonus has
been made compulsory. We have expanded the Social Security Programme.
We have ensured rest and recreation for
the workers by enhancing the quantum of leave and holidays.
We have compensated the workers three
times by allowing cost of living relief totaling Rs. 110/- per month,
thus raising the lowest wage by nearly 100%.
We have, as promised, ensured freedom of
association and collective bargaining to a degree unknown before in
Pakistan, and comparable to the more advanced countries of the world.
By further measures taken on January
4,1977, we have substantially increased compensation in case of death,
injury or disability; enhanced social security benefits for pensions and
group insurance by 25%; and made labour litigation cheaper by
establishing Labour Appellate Tribunals.
We have streamlined all labour laws and
improved their proms generally to the great advantage of the workers.
Health
The 1970 Manifesto pointed out that the
health facilities in scan were among the most backward in the world, and
laid major stress on their improvement.
To achieve this end, the PPP Government
rapidly increased the number of medical colleges from 6 to 15 and the
number of medical students from 976 to over 4000; and also increased the
number of medical personnel and established nursing schools.
We promised protection from communicable
diseases, and, with I objective, we have undertaken a major programme of
vaccination against cholera, typhoid and polio. We have put an end to
small pox; the last reported case being in 1974. A major malaria
eradication plan has been launched costing Rs. 890 million over five
years. Under the anti-tuberculosis programme, about 30 million BCG
vaccinations have been given. Several new clinics for leprosy have
established.
We had promised to bring within reach of
the common man essential drugs which would be manufactured locally as
far as possible. Despite general inflation, the prices of drugs have
been effectively controlled and, with Government encouragement, nearly
80% off the country's drug supply is now met by local manufacturers.
We have, in spite of our limited financial
resources, increased the health budget six-fold from less than Rs. 200
million in 1971-72 to Rs. 1219 million in 1976-77, and made a
considerable advance in redeeming our election promises.
Housing
The PPP considers - housing a fundamental
necessity. In the field of housing, both the public sector and the
private sector have been active. In the public sector, the Government
has, despite severe financial constraints, constructed 13,000 houses for
the how income groups and 4,200 houses for labour. Under construction
are 1,450 houses for labourers in Sind and 8,000 in Lyallpur for labour'
and the residents of Kachi Abadis, and similar schemes are underway in
Baluchistan and the NWFP.
We have also, in order to encourage
self-reliance, developed and distributed 175,000 plots between 1972 and
1976 and an additional 100,000 plots are being developed in the current
financial year. This is in marked contrast to the average of 8,250 plots
developed by both the private and public sectors in the two years prior
to the PPP Government. The provision of water supplies and adequate
sewage and drainage facilities have also been undertaken on a priority
basis.
To encourage the private sector, housing
has been declared an industry and income tax rebate allowed on
investments. The lending procedures of the House Building Finance
Corporation have been streamlined and its lending targets increased
substantially from Rs. 12 million in 1970-71 to Rs. 500 million in the
current financial year. Commercial banks were also directed to lend Rs.
400 million for house construction in the past two years.
As a result, over 135,000 housing units
have been built during the period 1972 to 1976, and 80,000 are planned
for the current financial year, in addition to those in the public
sector. This is more than four times the level achieved before the PPP
Government took office.
While in the past the rural areas were
neglected, the 5-Marla Plot Scheme has been introduced under which
700,000 plots have been allotted in the rural areas.
Education & Culture
In 1970 Manifesto we pointed out the past
neglect of education and promised that the spreading of literacy would
be carried out on a priority basis, and our educational goals redefined.
March 1973, Mr. Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, as
President of Pakistan, announced a progressive education policy with the
purpose of meeting our social needs and economic goals.
The Education Budget has been increased
nearly fourfold from Rs. 710 million in 1971 to Rs. 2,520 million in
1976.
Enrolment of children in primary schools
has increased and with this have been established, in the past five
years, 6657 new primary schools, 800 middle schools, 870 secondary
schools and 112 colleges.
In order to raise the quality of
education, 3,334 privately managed educational institutions were
nationalized.
In keeping with our promise to equalise
educational opportunity in order to achieve an egalitarian society, we
have made education available to those who were poor or came from
backward regions. Education was made free upto Class X, concessional bus
fares were granted to students, scholarships totaling Rs. 60 million per
annum were made available and so also interest-free loans, book banks
and residential facilities even in remote areas. In addition, seats were
reserved in all the professional and prestigious institutions for
students from low income groups and under-developed areas.
School curricula were drawn up afresh to
emphasise national ideology and cohesion, and to make our youth useful
citizens. A massive teacher
training programme has been launched and the
salaries
and status of teachers improved.
Agro-technical subjects have been introduced in
1,000 middle and 200 high
schools ;
and six national academies have
been established to train
teachers in these subjects.
We
promised to replace the out-moded university laws.
This
we
have done by legislation, ensuring
dice representation to
teachers and students on University Senates and Syndicates.
Apart from the
People's Open University at
Islamabad, new universities
have been
established at Multan, Bahawalpur
and D. I. Khan. A
progressive semester system
has been introduced.
Vigorous efforts have been made to revitalise sports activities
throughout the country, necessary facilities are being provided,
and a major physical education
programme has been launched.
For
the preservation of our cultural heritage, our museums and
historical landmarks, such as the Lahore
Fort, Shalimar Gardens,
Moenjodaro and Harrappa, have been
renovated and improved. The
Pakistan National Council
of the Arts and the National Institute of
Folk and Traditional Heritage have
been established.
By
the celebration, both at home and abroad, of the centenary
he Founder of the Nation,
Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali
Jinnah in 1976,
we
have revivified the recollection of
our origin and the ideology
of our State. Our planned
observance in 1977 of
centenary of Allama
Mohammad Iqbal is meant to galvanize the nation's
awareness of the vision which inspired the foundation of the State.
Women
We
pledged to give women their rightful place in our society in
conformity with; the teachings of Islam.
We have redeemed this pledge by providing
a Constitutional guarantee that there shall be no discrimination on the
basis of sex. The Constitution also provides a specific bar against any
disqualification on the grounds of sex for appointments in. the service
of Pakistan.
The PPP Government' has done 'more in
concrete terms -
We have made specific provision in the
Constitution for the representation of women in the National and
Provincial Assemblies.
We have appointed women to many prominent
positions in the Administration, including a Governor and a Minister of
Province, a Secretary 'to the Federal Government, a Vice-Chancellor of a
University, and opened the doors of the Foreign Service to women
entrants at all levels.
We have encouraged women to participate in
all international and national forums: For the, first time, in 1976, a
Women's Week was celebrated throughout Pakistan at the conclusion of
which the Declaration of Women's Rights was announced. –
Minorities
In our 1970 Manifesto .we promised that
all citizens, irrespective of religious belief, race or colour, would
enjoy equal rights and protection before the law, have access to public
office, and t
