11 May, 2013, is the day for Pakistanis to be celebrated for years. The much-anticipated transition from one civilian government to another is now almost complete. The majority of Pakistanis went to polls, and elected their rulers for next five years. By coming across all the odds, the resilient Pakistanis audaciously went to polling stations for voting out their previously elected rulers.
The unprecedented 60 % election turnout of the Pakistanis showed a rock sold faith on the democratic process to elect their new civilian government, despite allegations of rigging on the election. The 60 % election turnout was issue-based e.g. bringing reforms in education system, curbing electricity shortage, and ending deeply entrenched terrorism and extremism from Pakistan. The high turnout on 11 May incorporated bulk of the newly registered young Pakistani voters, who also succeeded to bring their elders to voting booth. Regardless of long waiting voter’s lines and hot weather, people remain determined to bring change all the way through ballot papers. The only thirst of voters was to end the slavish, deceitful and devious rule of previous government, who did not left any choice for Pakistanis except to vote them out through ballot papers/power. At the end, in spite of the fears and threats of terrorists attacking the polling stations, the majority of polls went quiet smoothly, except for the heinous bombs attacks in Karachi and other parts of the country killing more than 60 people.
Pakistan Muslim League (N) once again puts up a brilliant show in Punjab and gain over its political adversaries with a huge margin. Here, congratulations to Sharif brothers for grasping the highest numbers of seats in both Provincial Assembly and National Assembly, paving way for PML-N’s solo fight to Islamabad. However, we must not forget Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf in KPK, PPP and MQM’ majority in Sindh, respectively.
During the election campaign, all political parties promised their voters to make Pakistan more economically stable and progressive-Naya Roshan Pakistan. Particularly, PML (N) gave word to the nation that it’ll build roads, infrastructure and more importantly will bring Pakistan out from the long shadows of darkness by resolving the pending issue of energy shortages.
Now, an important question arise here, that how PML (N) will be able to resolve the all these gigantic problems, currently faced by Pakistan. Can it resolve these issues or it still need to develop national consensus on these subject. Will it able to create national consensus with other political parties on the subject of terrorist, which is now the prime issue of Pakistan. By revisiting its party manifesto and all election campaign and people’s verdict against the previous government, it seem plausible from the majority they have in National Assembly and Punjab that PML(N)’s leaders will be able to answer all these national question.
Pakistan is currently facing many problems both from inside as well as from outside the country, ranging from non-kinetic to kinetic threats. Right now, the biggest problem is of U.S. and allies’ exit from the Afghanistan in 2014 and post 2014 scenarios, which would be a major challenge to the security of Pakistan. Likewise, the relationship with neighbors, like Iran and India is another challenge to the PMLN government. Having said this, formulation of Strategic Relationship with United States and Europe would be hard task for the government.
Despite the external challenges, the non-tangible security challenges include the political instability, economic situation and terrorism in Pakistan. It is quite obvious from its 3E’s policy that PMLN have already prioritize its goal to improve the economic situation of the country, and also looking towards improving the present security situation in FATA, Karachi and Baluchistan. Right now, having a clear majority in Parliament, it’s simple that the political situation in Pakistan is now relatively stable, however terrorism can become a headache for the government in future, if it fails to contemplate a stringent policy which could curb terrorism from all across Pakistan. Similarly, another challenge this government will face is to end insurgency in Baluchistan.
In conclusion, the road towards progress is very long and full of boulders. It would not be easy to tackle multidimensional and multifaceted internal and external threats to Pakistan. The new administration will have to bring aggressive reforms to the present tax structure in order to reduce the current debt. This could manage the crippling power sector, which could be achievable with researching a multi-party consensus. Pakistan’s economy and security situation is already on a perilous road, and people of Pakistan have already given their verdict through ballot paper. There are speculations that 2013 elections will have foreboding effects leading the country toward factionalism and increased ethnic politics. Therefore, an immense responsibility lies on the shoulders of PML (N) leadership to bring Pakistan on the right track, which they can do with patience, consensus and reconciliation with institutions all across Pakistan.

(The Writer works in Strategic Vision Institute)

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