AS the people of Pakistan have given their mandate against the military authority and President Pervez Musharraf, the nation is now stepping its right foot forward towards a democratic set up but this general election have put several questions in front of the world. The foremost one: Will the PPP and PML (N) coalition able to take the country in the right direction to restore democracy and the rule of law in Pakistan?
All eyes are now on the new coalition between Sharif and Zardari to take the country forward. With history of rivalry and cynicism between the assassinated Benazir Bhutto led Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League (N) by Nawaz Sharif; it is obvious for a common Pakistani to be in apprehension and anxiety.
However, it is now up to the leaders of the political parties to take this people’s will as the only chance given for turning the black era of military rule without taking any kind of hard political bargain, otherwise the ball can anytime move to Musharraf’s hand.
Though Musharraf has categorically denied any intention of his stepping down from the post of President but he still holds the power to dismiss the parliament. However, it will never be easy as the February 18 election was held under tremendous international pressure on Musharraf and it was declared as a free and fair one which was greeted by the entire world.
Musharraf has also expressed his willingness to work with the new prime minister acknowledging the election as a "moment of transition" but still the political picture is not clear considering the grave future challenges.
Despite difference on issues of restoration of Supreme Court judges the new Parliament can impeach the President at any time amending the constitution and that is possible as the President was the first person who grabbed all power through amendment after amendment. So, it is clear that Musharraf’s political future is uncertain and this is the fact that western governments particularly the United States is in constant touch with the leaders of both the victorious parties to work in cooperation with Musharraf.
This is the time to bury the past and realise what democracy can do in people’s rule but there is daunting task ahead to built a new Pakistan with social justice, media freedom, independent judiciary, economic growth, battle against militancy and terrorism with this new revolutionary impulse of democratic clout.
Standing at the crossroad, any decision can take Pakistan, ten steps forward or backward, any decision at this juncture is vital not only for restoring democracy in Pakistan but also for restoring peace process in the whole region.
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Comments:
Ilyas khan baloch
March 22, 2008 at 12:00 AM
Dear Sir/Madam,
How to bring back ?Pakistani, economic, political Stability?
Tensions in Pakistan have been rising; the political instability surrounding both the presidential and parliamentarian is inclusive with the increase in militant activity within Pakistan, which led suicide attacks in Pakistan. Following Benazir Bhutto's assassination on December 27, the external forces are working within their planning and span of control in Pakistan to destabilize the whole country. It is very much clear that more and more restriction could only be possible to impose on Pakistani ruler if the internal circumstance turns in to bad to worse. In order to compel Pakistani government to accept more condition due to gloomy socio-political condition, indirectly helping to disrupt the security situation to implement more rigid and brutal action, so that socio-political unrest increase shaking /deteriorating confidence in administration, so that people and administration could not get together to settle their grievances at large and Pakistan could be declare as the world's "most dangerous nation?. To achieve further political gain. Such as, submission of 11 point demand draft by the USA for future implementation of His planning to attain more and more control on Pakistani administration and force them to work, accordingly, even at the cost of sovereignty of the country and against Pakistani people?s aspiration.
Since the creation of Pakistan the Pakistani people are left at distant from the corridor of power so that the ruling elite can do what they wanted to do in favor of their interest, leaving the Pakistani people at the mercy of circumstances. As this policy is denial of right of Pakistani people to rule their country according to their aspiration and desire to built this country, which can provide equal opportunity to all without any discrimination for the establishment of welfare society. Only the society base on tolerance, equality and justice can be the real guarantee for the prosperous and strong Pakistan there for your intention is invited to the crucial movement which could be the point of distraction or disaster.
We have already lost the major part of Pakistan in 1971 simply to save the centralized sole power to exploit this country by the ruling elite they let the country break in part then allowing the masses to rule this country democratically. In the present circumstances we are again dragging our sovereignty at stack for the external interest in the name of national interest, instead of our interest i.e. the interest of Pakistani people at large.
Events affecting current socio-political situation are:
? In March 2007, Musharraf suspended Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry
? In July, security forces raided Islamabad's Red Mosque,
? On October 6, Musharraf was overwhelmingly reelected President while still ,
acting, as Chief of Army Staff.
? On November 3, Musharraf declared a state of emergency and dismissed
Chaudhry once again,
? In late November, Musharraf removed his uniform, appointing General Kiyani as
the new Chief of Army Staff, and inaugurated as civilian president.
? On December 27, nearly two weeks after Musharraf ended emergency rule,
Benazir Bhutto was assassinated at a campaign rally.
? More suicide attacks within country may more have to be followed. Violence and military
activity in the tribal areas has risen significantly.
The current socio-political system did not have accountability and transparency, therefore, both the presidential and parliamentary members ,have greater than before the uncertainty, the instability, and Musharraf's loss of credibility. Political uncertainly has been compounded by a simultaneous rise in militancy, which has fed into the ongoing sectarian violence throughout Pakistan and the Security situation in Pakistan is evaporating, this fact was made clear in January when refugees flooded into Afghanistan from Pakistan, the former being perceived as providing a safer environment.
In spite of who wins, all of the leading candidates will likely pursue similar policies to Musharraf, with contrary levels of aptitude. Stability will be maintained by the army with force, mainly certain stability that General Kiyani brings to the leadership will not be complete, however any of the candidates for Prime Minister will face the same challenges, discrepancy in their presentation will be in the precincts, this election will bring in change of faces not the change of socio-political system in Pakistan as expected by the people of Pakistan and essential for the country.
Perhaps the more important factor than the selected one has the process to be followed, and whether the people feel their voices are being heard and their participation encouraged. Since the creation of Pakistan the Pakistani people are left at distant from the corridor of power, so that the ruling elite can do what they wanted to do in favor of their interest, leaving the Pakistani people at the mercy of circumstances. As this policy is denial of right of Pakistani people to rule their country according to their aspiration and desire to built this country, which can provide equal opportunity to all without any discrimination for the establishment of welfare society. Only the society base on tolerance, equality and justice can be the real guarantee for the prosperous and strong Pakistan there for your intention is to invite, to the crucial movement which could be the point of distraction or disaster. Many innocent people are dying every day-week and every month. Because of bombast, suicide attacks and target killing in Pakistan the factual condition is that nothing happened in this world without any reason, the need of the time is to redress the grievances of the people and eliminate the reason the route cause.
The right way to reverence to Martyr is to eliminate the causes after the incidents. If we can redress the route cause after the suicide killing, we can save many lives in future. The only way out is the change of system the route cause of all kind of grievances within society, the time is to empower the Pakistani at grass route level to eliminate the socio-political injustice and strengthen the unity within the society at large, and closing the door for outsiders or intruder to penetrate in our society because of social unrest.
Unfortunately, despite the significance of the democratic elements, only the power full elite are fitted in power and Pakistani are always left at the mercy of circumstances again and again... As this policy is denial of right of Pakistani people to rule their country according to their aspiration and desire to built this country, which can provide equal opportunity to all without any discrimination for the establishment of welfare society. Only the society based on tolerance, equality and justice can be the real guarantee for real peace and progress in the society. Therefore, Change of socio-political system is inevitable to empower the Pakistani at grass route level for rapid industrial and agriculture development.
See www.idp.org.pk
Ilyas khan Baloch
Islamic Democratic Party