ISLAMABAD: Following are the salient features and highlights from the book “Reconciliation, Reforms and Revival: Four Years of Democratic Government (2008-12)” published by Ministry of Information and Broadcasting based on the achievements of the present PPP led coalition government which was launched here on Friday.
Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf was the chief guest at the launching of the book held here at Prime Minister Secretariat which was also addressed by Minister for Information and Broadcasting Qamar Zaman Kaira, Research and Policy Advisor of Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Amjad Bhatti, who is also the editor of the book, and Director Pakistan Studies Center University of Karachi Dr Syed Jaffar Ahmed presented the book review.
Following are the highlights and excerpts from the book:
- Through Benazir Employees Stock Option Scheme, laborers became owners and got representation in board.
- Ban on trade unions lifted.
- Contractual employees made permanent and sacked employees restored.
- Workers’ minimum salary increased from Rs 4600 to Rs 8000 per month.
- 158% increase in salaries.
- Through Benazir Income Support Programme, Rs. 70 billion being distributed among 3.5 million poor women.
- Small loans for women and vocational training for their children.
- Health Insurance and Free Treatment for poor families.
- Through Bait-ul-Maal, 135,000 widows, orphans and needy were helped.
- Establishment of “Pakistan Sweet Homes” for orphan children.
- Apology for historical injustices.
- Recognition of the right of the Baloch nation and Balochistan Government on Balochistan’s resources.
- Enhanced recruitment of youth in civil and military services and flexibility in terms.
- Share of Balochistan increased from 5% to 9% in NFC Award.
- Concurrent list abolished and federal departments handed over to provincial government.
- Payment of Rs. 120 billion gas development surcharge initiated.
- Sufficient increase in support prices of wheat, rice and cotton.
- Continuous record production of wheat in last three years put an end to the scarcity of flour.
- Additional income of Rs. 800 billion in rural economy.
- Provision of tractors on law rates through Benazir Tractor Scheme.
- Important affairs and food and agriculture transferred to provinces.
- Allocation of 10% job quota for women.
- Legislation to make work place safe for women.
- Legislation for prevention from domestic violence.
- Punishment determined for acid throwing on women.
- Steps to ensure women’s share in inheritance.
- Millions of women got their CNICs for the first time and now they could cast their vote.
- More than 100 constitutional amendments and approval of 110 laws.
- Action on 90% articles of Charter of Democracy.
- Access to education, lawful course and information regarded as fundamental rights.
- Ended the power of the president to dissolve Assembly on his own.
- Increment of four seats of religious minorities in the Senate.
- Executive Authority of the Federation transferred to the Prime Minister and Ministers from the President and the Bureaucracy.
- Fulfillment of the promise of provincial autonomy and abolition of the concurrent list.
- Provincial control of natural resources acknowledged under new Article 172 (3) of the Constitution.
- Federal share in the divisible pool reduced to 42.5% through 7th NFC Award.
- Provincial share increased from Rs. 670 to Rs. 1200 billion.
- Area, tax and backwardness built in resource distribution formula for the first time.
- Approval of the provincial assembly made mandatory to declare emergency in a province.
- Powers of the Council of Common Interests enhanced and its quarterly meeting made mandatory.
- Authentic voters lists issued for the first time in the history of Pakistan.
- Appointment of a unanimous and neutral chief election commissioner for the first time in the history of Pakistan.
- A neutral and unanimous caretaker government will hold the elections for the first time in our history.
- Renaming NWFP as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as per old demand of Pakhtuns.
- From non-recognition of Northern Areas to the recognition of Gilgit-Baltistan.
- Decisive development on establishment of Seraiki province as per the demand of Seraiki people.
- Abolition of brutal laws of FCR and extension of Political Parties Act in FATA.
- Linking the whole system of emergency assistance with bank account and NADRA cards and thus eliminating avenues for corruption.
- Rehabilitation of Swat IDPs in 2009.
- Helped 2010’s flood affected people and 2011’s rain victims.
- Aid to the affected people of Bajaur, Mohmand and South Waziristan.
- Addition of 3400 MW electricity added in system in four years.
- Started filling water completion of the of Mangla Dam Raising Project.
- Added 121 MW electricity by completing Allai Khawar Hydro Power Project.
- Work on Diamir Bhasha Dam for 4500 MW electricity initiated.
- Work on Neelum Jehlum Project started with fast pace for 969 MW.
- Rapid start of work on Thar Coal Project.
- Duber Khawar, Gomal Dam and Sat Para dams will complete in next six months.
- Completion of solar energy grid and reduction in tax on imports. – App
