MUSHARRAF ACHIEVEMENTS

Despite these shortcomings the present government has performed very well in certain areas. The on-
going tax survey which this government is determined to complete, will be the biggest achievement of this
government as it would have far reaching effects on our economy providing it a stronger and stable base.
The corruption, loot and plunder at the highest level which was the hallmark of Benazir and Nawaz Sharif
government during the past 10 years has been checked and controlled. Corruption does exist at the lower
level and it will take time to eradicate it. There has been a noticeable improvement in the functioning in
the public sector enterprises like WAPDA, Railways, Steel Mills, PIA etc which were causing a total loss
of Rs.100 billion per annum to the national exchequer. This losses have been cut down drastically and
some of them have turned even black from red.

This is also a fact that the economy has registered a GDP growth rate of 4.5 per cent, which though was
less than the target of 5 per cent, is higher than the previous year by 1.4 per cent. The emphasis on
agriculture paid of as the economic recovery has been led by this sector as it achieved a growth rate of
5.5 per cent, despite a fall of 1.6 per cent in the sugarcane production. The growth rate of major crops
peaked to 9.6 per cent. Rice output increased by 10.3 per cent, cotton as high as 27.7 per cent and wheat
production exceeded the target by 8 per cent over the previous year.

There are hopeful signs in the composition of investment. In current prices, total private fixed investment
increased by 9.4 per cent, increase in manufacturing investment was 23.9 per cent and related 17.6 per
cent in construction. Public fixed investment in agriculture rose by 35.9 per cent and private fixed
investment in agriculture by 15.6 per cent. Budgetary Public Sector Development Prograame was
implemented to the extent of Rs.101.2 billion.

The Trade Policy for 2000-01 has fixed the target of achieving exports worth 10 billion. The trade deficit
has been brought down to 1.488 million during November-August 1999-2000. The exports have been
increased by 17.4 per cent during November-September, 1999-2000 reaching 7.389.9 million. The import
bill, which showed an increase of 8.2 per cent, import of food items, fertilizers and machinery was
reduced which managed to decrease the full impact of the petroleum prices. A six-point strategy has been
evolved to boost exports with a target of 10 billion for the year 2001-2002. This strategy has already
started bearing fruits as exports were 17.4 per cent higher than the same period of previous year. The
Textile Vision 2005" has been constituted and it hopes to take existing exports in textiles from 5 billion up
to 14 billion by 2005.

For the first time in the history of the country, the accountability process has initiated and action against
former prime ministers, former chief ministers, former federal and provincial ministers, former senior most
officers of the armed forces, former senior most civil service officers, well-known businessmen, prominent
agriculturists from all parts of the federation. In fact this process has been started from the top most to the
lowest, including a Patwari. The NAB has so far recovered over Rs. 25.5 billion following the impartial and
even handed investigations and actions.

This also goes to the credit of present government that they have not unduly interfered with the civil
liberties of the people and the freedom of Press. The General has repeatedly assured that he has no
intention of continuing military rule beyond October 12, 2002.

Nuclear proliferation

Main article: Pakistan and weapons of mass destruction

As President, General Musharraf had promoted Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan as his Science Advisor.
One of the most widely-reported controversies during Musharraf's administration arose as a
MUSHARRAF ACHIEVEMENTS

consequence of the disclosure of nuclear proliferation by Dr. Khan, a national hero known as the
father of Pakistan's nuclear program. Musharraf has denied knowledge of or participation by
Pakistan or the Pakistan Army. He has faced bitter domestic criticism for singularly attempting
to vilify Khan. Khan has been pardoned in exchange for cooperation in the investigation, but is
still under house arrest.[41] After Musharraf's resignation, Dr. Khan was finally released from
house arrest by the executive order of Supreme Court of Pakistan.

[edit] Space Program

Musharraf with former Polish president Lech Kaczynski during his state visit to Poland in 2007

Musharraf was eager for the Pakistan to lead the way in the space race. Musharraf unfroze
Pakistan's space program which was last frozen in 1996. In 1999, when Dr. A. Q. Khan met with
him, he quickly authorized SUPARCO to develop its first domestically-built satellite. Musharraf
also established a separated fund for SUPARCO to develop its high-powered HRLV, SLV,
PSLV projects. All these projects are rumored to launch in 2012, but SUPARCO has not
confirmed. In 2005, President Musharraf outlined his vision for SUPARCO by laying down a
clearly defined agenda for the national space agency to pursue and deliver in minimum time.
Musharraf had authorized renewed research and development on an indigenous launch capability
that would be able to put into orbit a domestically built satellite, Paksat-1R.

[edit] Economy

Musharraf at the World Economic Forum, Davos 2008

MUSHARRAF ACHIEVEMENTS

In 1999, under Nawaz Sharif, Revenue generation of around Rs.308 billion could not meet the
growing expenditure requirements; with only an average of Rs.80 billion being spent on Public
sector development programs (PSDP) annually. From this Rs.308 billion around 65% was being
utilized for debt servicing. In 1988 Pakistan’s foreign debt was $18 billion, but at the end of
1999 it had accumulated to become $38 billion. Public and external debt exceeded 300% of
foreign exchange earnings.[citation needed]

 Pakistan’s economy grew by 100% — to become $ 160 billion

 Revenue grew by 100% — to become $ 11.4 billion
 Per Capita income grew by 100% — to become $ 925
 Foreign Reserves grew by 500% — to become $ 17 billion
 Exports grew by 100% — to become $ 18.5 billion
 Textile exports grew by 100% — to become $ 11.2 billion
 Karachi Stock Exchange grew by 500% — to become $ 75 billion
 Foreign Direct Investment grew by 500% — to become $ 8.4 billion
 Annual Debt servicing decreased by 35% — to become 26%
 Poverty decreased by 10% — to become 24%
 Literacy ratio grew by 10% — to become 54%
 Public development Funds grew by 100% — to become Rs 520 billion[42][43][44][45][46]

Pakistan came out of the list of Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) while setting it on path
of prosperity, growth and economic reforms. World Bank, IMF, and ADB praised Pakistan for
its reforms, fiscal policies and macro-economic achievements.[47][48][49]

[edit] Corruption issues

When Musharraf came to power in 1999, he claimed that the corruption in the government
bureaucracy would be cleaned up.[50]

In 2001, according to a survey conducted by Transparency International, Pakistan was ranked as

the world's 11th most corrupt nation. However, by 2002 Pakistan's rating had improved 13 places
within the year, to be ranked 24th.[51] By 2007, Pakistan was ranked 138th out of 179 countries,
placing it as the 41st most corrupt country in 2007. Overall, under Musharraf's regime, Pakistan's
rating improved by 30 places