General (Retd) Pervez Musharraf NI(M) HI(M)was a four-star general of the Pakistan Army who became the tenth president of Pakistan after the successful military takeover of the federal government in October 1999. He also served as the 10th Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee from 1998 to 2001 and the 7th Chief of Army Staff from 1998 to 2007.
Although his tenure has been marred with controversies, however, there have also been some achievements of the former President of Pakistan, General (Retd.) Pervez Musharraf in one of the “most difficult countries to govern”, as described by Time Magazine.
General Achievements: According to information available in public domain, following can be described as general achievements during Musharraf’s era.
- During his years in power, Pakistan pursued consistent and favourable policies of liberalization, deregulation and privatization.
- Economic recovery, institutional reforms and good governance were our declared priorities.
- For economic recovery, the Government pursued a two-pronged strategy of ensuring macro-economic stability and introducing structural reforms for self-sustainable growth.
- As a result, the economy had expanded at an average rate of 7% per annum during the last four years. Its growth touched a record level of 9% in 2004-05.
- Growth of large scale manufacturing which was 3.6% during 1999-00, registered an average increase of 11.31 % per annum during the period from 2000-07. Growth of this sector was highest in 2004-05 i.e. 19.9%.
- Exchange rate remained stable despite widening of trade and current account deficits, clearly indicating strong inflows of external resources.
- Foreign Exchange reserves have crossed US$ 16 billion mark and the increased reserves can now finance more than 31 weeks of imports against only 10 weeks in 1998-99.
- Per capita income had increased from $ 526 (1999-00) to $925 (2006-07).
Revenue Collections
- Total revenue collections increased from Rs 308 billion in 1999 to Rs 846 billion during 2007.
GDP
- GDP growth which was 3.9% in 1999-00 grew at an average rate of 6% per annum during the period from 2000-07.
- Total GDP which ranged between Rs 769.7 billion (1988-89) and Rs 2,938.4 billion (1998-99), registered an enormous growth during the last 8 years and ranged between Rs 3,826 billion (1999-00) and Rs 9,970 billion (2006-07).
FDI
- Total FDI during 11 years from 1988-99 amounted to US$ 4.87 billion. The same during the subsequent 8 years registered enormous growth and amounted to US$ 13.195 billion.
Micro Credits and Loans
- Micro credits to the tune of Rs 11.454 billion were extended to lower strata of the society.
- Agricultural loans of the order of Rs 596.44 billion were extended to farmers.
Stock Market
- Growth of stock market ranged between (–) 44.7% (in 1997-98) and 219.1% during 1988-99.
- As against KSE index of 1,257 points on 12th October, 1999, it was 13,772 in 2006-07.
- As against market capitalization of Rs 334 billion on 12th October, 1999, it was Rs 3,980 billion at the close of financial year 2006-07.
State of Foreign Debt
- Foreign debt and liabilities grew at an average rate of 7.4% per annum during 11 years from 1989-99. Total debt in 1989 was $20.522 billion which rose to $38.922 billion in 1999.
- If this trend had continued, Pakistan’s external debt and liabilities would have been over $ 60 billion. This level was brought down to $38.86 billion.
- External Debt and Liabilities (EDL) as % of GDP, which fluctuated between 51% and 66.3% during the period from 1988-99; (66.3% in 1988-89), fluctuated between 42.6% (2002-03) and 27.1% (2006-07).
Agriculture
- In 1998-99 our country was importing key staples to meet domestic requirements. In contrast, in FY07, country witnessed significant rise in the productivity in almost all major crops.
- Agriculture credit market was quite shallow and gross disbursements were only Rs 42.9 billion in 1998-99. Gross disbursements of agri-credit rose to Rs 168 billion in 2006-07.
Remittances
As against US$ 1.06 billion received during 1998-99, US$ 5.5 billion were received during 2006-07.
President’s Programme for Improvement of Watercourses
Total watercourses to be improved
86,000- 90,000
Watercourses improved
41,459 (against a target of 38,200)
Target for next two years
48,541
Funds spent
Rs 21,653 million
Funds to be spent
Rs. 29,000 million
Social Sector Achievements
Health Sector
- During 1998-1999 total health expenditure was Rs 25 billion which had increased to Rs 50 billion.
- There had been an increase of about 20,000 registered doctors, around 3,000 registered dentists, about 15,000 nurses, and 56,000 lady health workers. The quantity, quality and distribution of this workforce were being improved.
- During 2000-2008 health indicators had shown gradual improvement.
- Many new initiatives in the health sector were undertaken during this period, including the Expanded Program of Immunization; Polio Eradication Programme; Hepatitis Control Programme; Primary Health Care Programme, TB Prevention & Control Programme; Aids Prevention & Control Programme; Blindness Prevention & Control Programme; National Maternal and Child Health Programme; and National Nutrition Program.
- Ø President’s Special Initiative on Health sector were started. Under this initiative all the resources in BHUs/ RHCs were being computerized and complete integration of Primary Health Service at BHUs were being pursued to improve the health care delivery system. Programme implemented at 837 BHU & all over Pakistan.
- Ø Public health related legislations enacted since 1999-2000 for promotion of healthy causes such as Prohibition of Smoking and Protection of Non-smokers, Promotion of Breastfeeding and Child Nutrition. Transfusion of Safe Blood, Medical Aid to Injured Persons and Safe Use of Injections & Invasive medical devices.
- Legislation to regulate Tissues and Organ Transplantation has been carried out.
- Urban Health Initiative
Clinics to be set up in next two years
815 (Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Peshawar, Quetta).
Estimated cost
Rs 1.548 billion (Federal Govt. to fund establishment charges for three years).
Education Spread
- 81 new universities including Degree Awarding Institutions (DAI) and 14,117 schools/colleges were opened.
- 1,267,519 stipends to the needy students.
- 47,546,520 students were provided books free of cost.
- 127,623 missing facilities were provided in educational institutions.
Women Empowerment
- National Policy for Development and Empowerment of Women was announced on 7th March, 2002.
- This policy contained a vision, defined goals, aims and objectives, formulated through a laborious and detailed consultative process.
- Reservation of 20% women’s seats in the National Assembly (There were 72 women Members of the National Assembly against 60 reserved seats).
- Reservation of 18% seats for women in the Senate (There were 17 women Members of the Senate).
- Reservation of women seats in the Provincial Assemblies (There were 139 women Members of the Provincial Assemblies against 128 reserved seats).
- There were six (6) women members of the then Federal Cabinet, which was an important step towards increasing women’s role in the national decision – making. We have a woman as Governor of the State Bank.
- Reservation of 33% seats for women at all tiers of local government remains a hallmark of the new system centered on the devolution of power (There are 27,624 Women Councilors against 28,549 reserved seats in local bodies).
Legal and Social Empowerment of Women
- Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2004 (Honour Killing Bill) enacted.
- Reservation of quota for women in Government jobs including Central Superior Services.
- Presidential Ordinance promulgated on 8th of July 2006, “the Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Ordinance, 2006,” allowed bail for women held on all charges with the exception of terrorism and murder. Out of more than 6,000 jailed women, around 1,000 were freed.
- Enactment of Women Protection Act, 2006 which provides a just and secure environment for women to work as equal partners for the development of Pakistan.
Poverty Alleviation
- Government’s efforts have resulted in reduction of poverty from 34.4% in 2001 to 23.9% in 2005.
- In this way one crore 27 lac (12.7 million) people came out of poverty.
- During last 5 years Rs 1,441 billion have been spent on poverty reduction and employment generation.
Employment opportunities
- During 1999-07, as many as 110,086 teachers, 65,231 Lady Health Visitors and 78,024 personnel in Police Department were appointed.
- 1,187,432 job opportunities were created in the Telecom Sector and 126,742 in Local Government Departments.
- 6.6 million Job opportunities were created in Punjab in new business/industries.
- 165,609 jobs were provided in various departments in the provinces.
Infrastructure Development
Mega Projects
- Work on 102 mega projects was initiated in various sectors from 2000.
- Such projects included Makran Coastal Highway, Lowari Tunnel, Pindi Bhattian – Faisalabad Motorway (M-3), Karachi Northern Bypass, Mirani Dam, Raising of Mangla Dam, Gomal Zam Dam, Sabakzai Dam, Satpara Dam, Kachhi Canal, Rainee Canal, Greater Thal Canal, Gwadar Port, Lining of Watercourses, Mansehra-Naran-Jalkhad Road, Diamer-Bhasha Dam, Neelum-Jhelum Hydro Electric Project and Islamabad-Muzaffarabad Road.
- Six projects costing between Rs 1-5 billion have since been completed.
- Work on six projects including raising of Mangla Dam and Lyari Expressway and first unit of 4 MW of Satpara Dam, was nearing completion.
- Work on the remaining 89 projects was in progress and was scheduled to be completed during April, 2008 to December, 2016.
- As many as 34,251 development schemes were launched during the period from 1999-07.
Electricity and Gas Supply – 1999-2007
Village Electrification (WAPDA):
- Villages electrified during 1947-1999: 67,180
- Villages electrified during 1999-2007: 54,50
- Rate of Village electrification per year
In 1999 In 2007
1,400 14,000
- New connections installed: 1.36 million
- Number of beneficiaries (new): 9.53 million
- Total amount spent: Rs 26.60 billion
Gas supply:
- Towns/ villages/ localities supplied gas during 99- 07: 11,494
- Amount spent on gas supply schemes during 99-07: Rs 78.81 billion
- New connections provided during the period: 17.94 million
Clean Drinking Water Programme
Telecom
Telephone connections
2001-02 2006-07
Fixed line 3.7 7
Mobile 1.6 62
Teledensity 3.3% 45%
Total Length of Roads Constructed
4,575.7 Kms of roads constructed by NHA at a total cost of Rs 90.9 billion.
PSDP Allocations
- As against total Federal PSDP of Rs 568.57 billion during 11 years from 1988-99, Rs 1,078.90 billion were provided during the next 8 years viz from 1999-2000 to 2006-07.
Objectives and Challenges in the Foreign Policy
– To promote a peaceful environment regionally and internationally that is conducive to tasks of socio- economic and technological development of Pakistan to build a strong, progressive prosperous moderate Islamic society consistent with the vision of the Quaid-i-Azam.
– To build relations and international cooperation that helps socio-economic progress and a strong defence.
– To seek peaceful resolution of disputes especially Jammu and Kashmir.
– To promote causes espoused by the Muslim Ummah and support international endeavours especially for the progress and rights of the developing countries
– To project the correct image of Pakistan abroad.
– To promote Pakistan as a hub of economic and communication activities leveraging its strategic location at the intersection of South Asia, Central Asia and West Asia.
Electricity:
The total installed generation capacity in 2000-01 was 17,772 MW which increased to 19,566 MW by 2007-08 – an increase of 1794 MW during my tenure. These facts are well documented in Pakistan Economic Survey 2001-02 (PP. 202, Table 15.13) and Pakistan Economic Survey 2007-08 (PP.259, Table 15.16)
Out of 1794 MW increase in installed generation capacity, 1770MW (99%) increase is attributed to WAPDA. The major addition came from Ghazibrotha power project.
In Musharraf’s own words, “Pakistan in 2000-01 was having a surplus of 3000 MW because of the induction of electricity through the Independent Power Producers (IPPs). According to the 1994 Power Policy, even if we did not consume electricity, the government was required to pay 60% of the capacity to respective IPPs. Thus, we were having surplus power 3000 MW with all its financial implications.”
He had said “We entered into negotiation with India to export electricity but it did not work out for a variety of reasons, including the military standoff in December 2001 till August – September 2002.
By January 2003, we were still having surplus of 2000 MW with all its financial implications. Do you think that my government would have set up another power plant when we were already having surplus electricity. According to our estimates, the surplus power was to be a eliminated by 2007 provided our consumption of electricity would have grown at the rate of 6 percent per annum.”
