Whether it is Afghan intrusion or the spell of militancy, the denizens of Dir Upper were suffered a lot but still they are pretty optimistic that only ballot can get rid of the persisting evils instead of bullet.

The area received scars from Afghan border and shocks from the recently militancy hit Swat valley and the adjacent areas. The inhabitants foresee the approaching elections the last hope for normalcy and quite healing of their wounds, and expect that coming polls will be proved a panacea for further sufferings.

It is worth mentioning here that in Dir Lower women will make a history by casting their votes for the first time on May 11th, after the political and religious leaders have agreed to give them the right to exercise their vote in choosing their representatives. In the past, they were barred of casting ballot owing to cultural taboos and conservative society.

The lush green valley of Dir Lower took the lead over most districts of KP including the contiguous Dir Upper- remained a part of Lower till 1996, where the first female candidate, Ms, Nusrat Begum made a history to combat next polls on general seat. Cladding the veil of unflinching courage, now she is looking quite determined to contest the upcoming polls independently.

Similarly, in Bajaur, the tribal district of Pakistan, adjacent to Dir Upper, a valiant Badam Zari, the first female candidate in entire history of FATA is of the resolve to make voice for almost half of the passive and oppressed population of the area by contesting the upcoming elections.

The land of lofty mountains, the far flung Dir Upper valley is a purely male dominated society where women have the right to vote but virtually could not exercised it in the past due to nasty cultural norms and feminist traditions.
It is a fait accompli; mostly Dir Upper has received qualms from neighboring districts. But this time, the womenfolk are looking forward for similar electoral developments happened in Dir Lower and Bajaur.

For May 11 polls, more than 37 candidates representing almost all the political and religious parties and independent candidates are in the run for the alone national assembly seat (NA-33), and three provincial assembly seats (PK91-PK93).

According to Election Commission a total number of registered voters in NA33 are 368035 in which 229130 are male and 138905 are female.

Like Dir Lower, two mainstream political parties- Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Jamaat-e-Islami had always been proved harsh contenders for each other in Dir Upper too. In past, several times the JI named the seat while few times PPP also defeated the arch rival JI or either fully exploited its inexplicable boycott from voting and the same is expected in the approaching polls as well. Moreover, this time new political forces are stemming in the area which could also dominate the electoral canvas.

Emerges as a new political force in the country, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chief Imran Khan’s charisma was also swaying potential voters all over KP including Dir Upper. His recent visit to the area garnered a new spirit in youth. While addressing a mammoth gathering at Wari, Mr. Khan stressed youth to convince their parents for the new Pakistan. In fact, the PTI Tsunami has jolted most parts of the country including the urban area of KP. However, it will take time to wet the militancy hit lofty mountains of Dir Upper located some thousand feet high from sea level.

Electoral history of NA-33 showed that JI and PPP were always proved harsh contenders for each other. Several times, the JI defeated PPP’s candidates while the later also slashed down the rival numerously or exploited its boycott.
In the 2002 general polls, JI backed Maulana Asadullah had won the seat from former MMA platform. However, in 2008 general elections, PPP landed Najmuddin Khan cashed the JI boycott as usual and not only secured the seat but sworn in as federal minister in the PPP-led government.

Meanwhile, Sahibzada Sibghat Ulla of JI landed as independent candidate but he turned runner against the arch competitor, Mr. Najmuddin.

More than 10 candidates of different political parties and independents are combating for NA-33 in the scheduled May 11 polls. JI’s Shibzada Tariq Ullah, Najmuddin Khan of PPP, Maulana Fazal Azeem Khan of JUI-F, Muhammad Zeb Khan of PML-N, Naveed Anjum of ANP and PTI’s Muhammad Nawaz Khan are in the sprint to secure the seat.

Political observers say that JI is indeed the most popular and strong political party in the area and NA-33 is considered to be a stronghold of JI due to voters’ distinguished tendency towards this political outfit.

However, tough battle is expected between the JI and PPP candidates in the absence of obvious third political force. They argued that Sahibzada Tariq Ullah may sweep the seat but wrangling among JI quarters could create trouble for him. Besides, it will also be hard for PPP candidate to defend its seat because; rows among PPP ranks are widening and being a PPP minister Mr. Najmuddin was failed to bring any mega project to the constituency.

Moreover, PTI enjoy the support of youth but its fielded candidate Muhammad Nawaz is not politically so sage to change the hype into reality.

Similarly, more than 27 candidates have pulled socks up to win the three provincial assembly seats (PK-91 to PK-93) from its respective constituencies. Earlier, JI and PPP had also been proved neck on neck challengers on this front too.

In PK-91, eight aspirants including JI’s Inayat Ullah, PPP’s Shakir Ullah Khan, ANP’S Naveed Anjum, PML-N’s Nisar Khan Wardag and PTI’s Yousuf Zada are at loggerheads.

Inayat Ullah had clinched the seat from MMA platform and later on he was placed in the provincial cabinet as minister for health. Business as usual, JI boycott in 2008 polls, Najmuddin Khan exploited its boycott and clinched the seat. Later on he vacated the seat, and Anwar Khan of PPP again secured it in by-election.

Now the political scenario is quite different, as Anwar Khan former MPA was by-passed and Najmuddin’s lobby allotted party ticket to his son Shakir Ullah Khan, who is vying for the first time. Here the party divided into two groups.
Insiders revealed that Mr. Anwar being annoyed from party leadership will allegedly support Nisar Khan Wardag of PML-N, due to having family relations with him. Moreover, an ANP’s staunch worker and ticket holder, Navid Anjum could join the race.

The most interesting battlefield is likely to be held at PK-92, where 10 candidates have pulled sleeves against each other. The PPP’s former MPA Badshah Saleh, JI’s Muhammad Ali Kohistani, Nawab Ali of PTI, PML-N’s Abul Ghaffar, and JUI-F’s Speen Khan Advocate are face to face in the May 11 polls.

In the 2008 elections, PPP’s Badshah Salih defeated Muhammad Ali Kohistan with minute margin and cashed the JI boycott. The later had been landed as independent contender. But this time it will be difficult for Mr. Salih to maintain the seat, because, Mr. Kohistani will have an edge over his compotator.

Mr. Salih received a setback when PPP staunch worker, Nawab Ali parted ways with party leadership and joined PTI and succeeded to get seat from his pitch. Besides, he is enjoying the unflinching support of youth in the area. The PML-N landed candidate Abul Ghaffar is being backing by Gujar community. Political pundits argued that a tough fought is expected among the above four.

In PK-93, a very hard-hitting fight is expected between JI’s Behram Khan and PPP’s Sahib Zada Sanaullah, while PML-N’s Malik Fakhar Hayat Khan has personal vote bank in the area. Malik Behram had confirmed this seat in 1993 general elections while Mr. SanaUllah was remained union council Nazim two times from the JI platform. The electoral scenario of this constituency changed when the later left the JI just ahead of the approaching elections and joined PPP ranks. He is also allegedly enjoyed the support Syed community as well. Electoral experts say that a neck on neck bout is expected between JI and PPP.

Electioneering is in full swing in Dir Upper and getting momentum after each passing day when polls are coming closer. Both the political parties, JI and PPP are eying for its victory. It seems that JI will revive its past glory. Anyhow, it is not an easy job yet the traditional rival PPP has also deep roots here, while new political force may make upset. Now, May 11 is not far, the inhabitants of the valley have the opportunity to use the power of ballot in favor of those who could get rid of the persisting.

http://www.thefrontierpost.com/category/40/

Pakistan’s upcoming general election is unlike any in the recent past. With just days to go the outcome is still hard to call.

A number of unknowns make the polls more unpredictable than previous ones. The year 2013 is unlikely to mirror 2008 for several reasons. The most obvious is the absence of a single overwhelming factor that, for example, gave the PPP an edge in the 2008 polls: the sympathy vote generated by Benazir Bhutto’s tragic assassination. The PPP is now burdened by incumbency and by a dismal record in power.

The PPP today is leaderless and has failed to even mount a nation-wide campaign. Its public messaging is muddled and directionless. Its TV commercials are about the past not the future. Its political strategy has seen a retreat to its traditional stronghold in rural Sindh. This has unwittingly signaled that the party has all but given up in much of Punjab: the make-or-break province.

All of this has strengthened the public perception that the PPP is trailing well behind its longtime rival — the Pakistan Muslim League led by former prime minister Nawaz Sharif — and is under pressure from the new challenger, Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

Apart from these changing dynamics it is unclear how several other factors could weigh in on the election. There are, at least, five unknowns. The first is the triangular nature of contests and unpredictability about how the PTI factor will shape the outcome in three-way races. New voters are a second unknown factor. First-time voters are disproportionately young. An estimated 31 per cent of the electorate is between 18 and 29 years. More young people are now registered voters.

Opinion surveys show many also intend to vote. A British Council poll released last month found 62 per cent of the under 30s said they were likely to vote. If this happens will it upset traditional calculations?

The third unknown is voter turnout. If turnout rises from the modest 44 per cent in 2008 this could change the game in several ways. It would disproportionately benefit urban-based parties; tip the balance on several marginal seats and perhaps even undercut the political weight of traditional allegiances.

Higher turnout especially by young voters could intensify the ‘swing’ factor in the election. A substantial part of the electorate — over a fifth — is ‘undecided’ or uncommitted. This ‘floating vote’ can be decisive especially on the sizeable number of marginal seats.

The fifth unknown is how a more informed electorate will weigh various factors to decide whom to vote for. Voters now have more knowledge about candidates, campaigns and issues, thanks to the broadcast media’s greater reach. This is not Pakistan’s first ‘television election’. But over a decade of public exposure to independent television networks may have begun to loosen traditional loyalties and make voters more open to consider different options.
There are, of course, well-established facts about the country’s electoral politics. The most obvious are deep-rooted voter alignments that have long advantaged the two main parties. The phenomenon of ‘all politics is local’ works to the advantage of parties that have traditionally dominated Pakistan’s constituency-based politics. Not to be underestimated is the reality that much of electoral politics still pivots around traditional allegiances with long standing vote banks kicking in on polling day to determine the outcome.
The two major parties rely on networks of rural and urban influentials or ‘electables’, who use their local power or clan and kinship connections to rally support and win seats.

The hold of traditional politics on the election process has been reinforced by the recent failure of the Election Commission’s candidate scrutiny process. In the absence of clearly articulated rules many members of the rural and urban elite were able to escape the process, which if it had been properly spelt out and rigorously implemented would have barred them from the election. Not only were serial loan defaulters allowed to participate, but the Free and Fair Elections Network (FAFEN) also found that over 40 per cent of candidates did not have national tax numbers, making them non-taxpayers. If the scrutiny procedure held any promise of aligning the election process to the rule of law, high court tribunals thwarted this.

Between the various knowns and plethora of unknowns it is difficult to predict what the election outcome would look like. If there is any certainty it is that whoever wins the election is unlikely to secure an overall majority and will have to cobble a coalition to govern the country.

(Dr Maleeha Lodhi served as Pakistan’s ambassador to the US and United Kingdom)


http://www.thefrontierpost.com/category/40/

As the time for 2013 General Elections is about to come, every party is showing its full strength to raise public opinion in its favor. This time elections will be of historical importance.

It is the people who have to decide the future of Pakistan for the coming five years; they have to write the destiny of the nation with their own hands. Therefore, it is high time we must ponder over the credibility and past achievement of the political parties as to what they delivered to the nation, what they gave to the country. If we re-elect the same people who formerly ruled on us and did nothing for the common interest, it is certain in future too they would never deliver anything. The country is not in the position of more crises to cope with, more internal and external dangers to haunt people. We must bring change and we can do so because we have the power of vote that decides all.

Much remains to do and there are also the foundations to be laid for a brighter future, real progress. Elections 2013 have given us the chance to build future of our country to make foundations for strong economy. Already a lot of precious time has wasted yet we should not lose heart, chance has come again, a lot more we have to do and a lot at stake in this election, which offers a more fundamental choice among a lot of parties than for many years.

Today, Pakistan is the sixth most populous country in the world. Located at the crossroads of the strategically important regions of South Asia, Central Asia and Western Asia, nations of the world need our support to maintain peace and prosperity not only in the region but across the globe. With the help of our strong manpower we can move forward and make progress like Malaysia, China, Turkey and Singapore. We have world’s exemplary, ideal and strong army. We have four beautiful seasons that are helpful in growing gigantic agricultural products. We have world’s most beautiful sceneries ideal for international tourism.

Our country is rich in natural resources. We are the nation that can do anything but the major cause of our backwardness is that we do not send true and faithful leadership to the parliament that make difference and stay firm for the national cause. We expect miracles but it is true politicians cannot deliver miracles. Only true hardworking leadership can put the country on the line to progress. We need to take tough decision this time. We must avoid falling prey to caste and beradari system in playing a role in the elections. Now we must go further, meet the challenge of economic change sweeping the world, and give our people the skills, the technology, the know-how, so that everyone gets the chance not just of a job, but of a career, able to earn a decent living and to make the most of themselves.

When we have the power of vote to invest, we should be clear what the number 1 priority should be. The priority can be that party which focuses on education.

Voters are the future and they should break down the walls of corruption to let a garden of knowledge grow throughout Pakistan. Once educated properly, we will have the power to do anything, and best of all, we will only use that power for good, for we will be cultivated and wise. We will not accept anything at face value. We will resist, protest and raise our voice in case of deprivation, oppression & tyranny, violation of civil liberties.

In nurseries and primary schools in particular, the coming government should make real progress as real investment and achieve the target of 100% literacy rate. So elect the party that you think will spend a lot on education. Fake degree holders can’t do this because they themselves are illiterate and want to see the entire nation as illiterate.

In Pakistan crime has increased and foreign interfere has doubled so by electing the politicians we must keep in mind the leadership that must not have been involved in any such crimes. Corruption is on rise in our country therefore corrupt leaders must not be given the chance to rule on us again. Countries of the world testify that good governance can be established anywhere in the world what is needed is willingness. The coming government can also make a difference in the fight against unemployment. Broader opportunities of employment must be created and energy crisis must be eliminated in the best interest of economy. Vote the party which is committed in delivering butter and bread to the common citizen by opening up new horizons of employment and eradicating load-shedding. The minimum wage should lift the pay of hundreds of thousands.

Pakistani nation is facing a lot of problems. People have the bills to pay, the job to do, the family to raise, the thousand different pressures of everyday life with which to battle. But a general election is different. It is a chance to predict, decide about the country’s destiny and direction. The decision as to who governs is a fundamental one for Pakistanis. So we must take advantage of this great upcoming opportunity next week.

The condition of our national security is much deteriorated. It is on a great risk. The war on terror has snatched the lives of thousands of innocent civilians; drones continue murdering the tribal men therefore we need such a brave leadership that after winning elections puts an end to this war.
We need such leadership to be elected which make our country as the leading force in the region. We are isolated in the region and we need to build strong relations with international community on equal grounds.

As New nation we should give a mandate to the honest, sincere and dedicated brave people not just for continuity but for change, for Pakistan, strong, modern and fair.

We should give a mandate to make all the reforms necessary to reinforce, modernize and invigorate our schools and hospitals.

We should give a mandate to the people for investment to widen opportunities, ending the culture of corruption that denies the common people to earn their livelihood in a respected manner and deprives young people of jobs.

We should give a mandate to the party that has strong roots in the vision of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Iqbal so that country reform of the welfare Islamic state. To make the tax and legal system function properly, tackle poverty and penalize irresponsibility.

We should give a mandate to the party which you think has the potential to get Occupied Kashmir liberated from India and restore peace in Balochistan and Karachi. We should give a mandate to the party that ends interest system from the country and introduces interest-free banking in the country. We should give a mandate to the party that you think will recover the missing persons and also gets Dr. Afia Siddiqui back to home. We should give a mandate to the party which is able to bring innovation in the agriculture. We should give a mandate to the party that is able to transform the country as ideal as to that of Madina’s Islamic Welfare state where injustice cannot take place. We should give a mandate to the party which you think after winning the elections would build best relations with the Muslim World. We should give a mandate to the party which you think will be able to secure our nuclear assets and tell the world that we are an independent nation so nobody would be tolerated for violating our autonomy and our integrity. We must give a mandate to the party that will end the walls of international slavery and ask the nation to live proudly like a living nation.

We should give a mandate to make Pakistan stronger - stronger because we are engaged with the whole world through the war of terror and the wider world, looking towards us how we elect the leadership.

This election is about which party can be trusted with the economy, which party will invest more for public interest, which party is capable of bumping of war on terror and which party has the potential for leading Pakistan into the future.

So the great issue of this election is sending true, patriot, of good character leadership. Let’s make the right choice and take wise decision as the destiny of the country is in our hands.

(The writer is a Social Scientist based at the University of Management and Technology, Lahore)

http://www.thefrontierpost.com/category/40/

General elections are scheduled to take place on 11th of May. Everyone is speculating the results. Some may forecast the result one way and some may forecast the result other way.

One thing appears to be certain, that next political era will be of coalition governments in National Assembly and Provincial Assemblies. Election campaign was a difficult and eventful process. Two political parties were holding 3 to 4 election rallies every day while other political parties are either forced to hold corner meeting or tactfully not holding large public gathering.
Be as it may, let us analyze the post election scenario.

As per law, Article 91 sub article 2 of the Constitution of Pakistan, General House of the assemblies will be deemed to be called to elect its leader of the house on 21st day of holding of the election date, unless it is summoned by the president earlier. Earlier it was always discretion of the president to call the general house meeting and it was sometimes delayed for months. It is not so under new law.

The important question is, whether any party will take a simple majority in any assembly or all parties will fall short of simple majority in the respective assemblies and will be reduced to make coalition governments in respective assemblies.

The role of the masses will come to an end on the polling day, in post election scenario political wizards will play an important role in formation of the governments in the respective assemblies. To make and run coalition government may be a difficult task as mentioned in proviso of Article 92 of the Constitution, the number of ministries in the nation assembly and provincial assemblies are reduced to 11% of the strength of the Assembly. This means that there will be not enough ministries to offer to the coalition partners.

There is a great public demand to give good governance. There will be a great public pressure on the next government which may have to tackle daunting task of fighting with the energy crises, law and order situation, terrorism, corruption etc.

Coalition governments in the province of Punjab and National Assembly will play an important role in future political coalitions in the country. One party forming the government in the Punjab may have to compromise in the National Assembly with its coalition partners to form a government and they may have to either give provincial Chief Minister to coalition partner or if they want to retain Punjab Chief Minister ship they may have to give premiership to its coalition partner.

One must not forget that presidential election is also scheduled to take place at the end of this year. That factor may also play a very critical role in comprises among different political forces and this factor may also play a very important role in formation of political understanding amongst the political forces. The forth coming presidential election may expose many political allies or rivals in near future.

Staunch stances and aggressive political speeches may also play another factor in conciliation among the political forces of the country and it may be a hurdle to sit together in a post election scenario. Hopefully politician will be mature enough for the betterment of the country and will concentrate on the real issue faced by the country and will not dwell on their political differences.
In the end one must say that there may be a lot of political comprises, to run the next coalition government. Nevertheless, one may be mindful of the fact that public pressure to solve the different and difficult issue will be playing a boiling factor to the political management of the country. One may suggest that term of the assembly may be reduce to 4 years to get better performance of the assemblies.

It may act as a public pressure on the political parties to face the public with 4 years, it will be motivating factor to show performance and give good governance.


http://www.thefrontierpost.com/category/40/

The Fall of Kapitan from the lifter in a freak incident at his Ghalib Market Lahore rally on the evening of May 7, 2013 has made most analysts looked more confused about the possible outcome of the May 11, 2013. By the Grace of Almighty Allah, Imran Khan is safe and will be full recovered in few days. The goodwill gesture of the political parties by sharing the grief moment with the family and workers of PTI in this need of the hour in indeed commendable and shows the maturity of the political leadership.

The expected outcome of the May 11 elections depends upon many reasons that were never part of body politic of Pakistan. Never before Media has been able to play a vibrant rule throughout a full tenure of the government and impacted the urban areas through cable and rural areas through dish alike, increasing the awareness of the nation across the country (and abroad) to an unprecedented level. Never before Social Media has so much influence on politics. Never before the Youth and highly educated strata of the society was involved seriously in the political process. These are positive signs and will naturally result in a positive outcome regardless of party positions on May 11.

What will be the possible outcome of May 11 elections? Several factors may contribute to the final tally. These elections have many new dimensions that were never part of any elections before.

Electoral Rolls

The 2013 Electoral Rolls impact is across the board. Moved by many parties including Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, the Supreme Court directed the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to prepare fresh Rolls that are free of errors and duplications. With the help of NADRA it was found out that the 2008 Elections voters’ lists has as much as 45.79% Unverified Votes when data was compared with NADRA CNIC lists (See Table 1). The pain staking exercise showed Unverified Votes percentage ranging 65.50% (Balochistan) to 31.90% (Islamabad) where a gigantic 37.18 Million vote count could not be verified, a figure more than the total votes polled (35.17 million) in 2008 elections.

The Fresh Rolls has now shown 86.18 Million voters, all of whom are verified by NADRA, with the published lists for 2013 elections also has photograph of the voter. This exercise alone has given credibility of the electoral process. Not only that, it also has added a very new dimension to the Polls as many as 38 Million new voters are added, who have never voted before. Majority of them is youth of under 40. This phenomenon has forced political parties to focus the Youth in a way never done earlier. Be it PTI Youth-centered campaign or PML (N) laptop-focused one, the mantra in YOUTH. Again this will have a positive impact on the results and post-election scenario as fresh blood will provide energy to overall political system.

Past trends

When we have a close look at the General Elections results since 1988 (Table 2) we see very clearly that PPP (and allies) and PML (different flavors and allies) have dominated the political scene. These groups have won more than 70% seats in these six elections forming government every time, mostly in coalition with others. The only exception was 1997 when PML (N) alone swept to a two-third majority. PML (N)/IJI had won most seats (481) in this era, followed by PPP/PDA (449).

Coming to the analysis of previous elections we have seen some very interesting historical facts. Since 1993, the Prime Minister has not been ‘repeated’. In fact, the sitting PM of an assembly (1997, 2002, 2008) was not part of next assembly (Nawaz Sharif, Zafarullah Jamali, Shujat Hussain, Shaukat Aziz, Yousuf Raza Gilani). It is most likely that Raja Pervaiz Ashrf will ‘join’ this club on May 11 as well. That also means that no party has been able to ‘retain’ its Federal Government in any of the elections since 1988. We have seen a new government at every election.

The only exception of any ‘continuation’ of a government was in 1990. Mian Nawaz Sharif, the Punjab Chief Minister since 1985 (who continue to serve as the Interim CM as well after Junejo government dismissal on May 29, 1988 by Gen Zia) was elevated to Prime Minister as leader of IJI after Oct 24, 1990 elections. Asghar Khan Case has now revealed every thing how that was achieved. In fact, in 1997 PML (N) has repetition of the same patterns when it has the support of the then sitting President Farooq Laghari, who like Ghulam Ishaq Khan had dismissed BB government on November 5, 1996, using dreaded article 58 2(b) of the Constitution.

For 2013 elections, many observers and analysts were giving PML (N) a fair chance of forming the next government with a comfortable majority. A closer look at history shows that PML (N) / (Q) and PPP had their NA strength reduced significantly each time they were in government. PPP seats were down from 94 (1988) to 44 in 1990, and from 89 (1993) to a dismal 18 in 1997. Similarly IJI/PML (N) was down from 106 (1990) to 73 (1993) and PML (Q) from 118 (2002) to 54 in 2008. In fact at NA level, in 1997 PPP was reduced to Sindh and in 2002 PML (N) was reduced to Punjab only. The pattern is very clear. Pakistani nations wanted a change of face at each election, a phenomenon sometimes manipulated by the Establishment more openly than others (1990 and 2002).

PTI Phenomenon

The new phenomenon of Pakistan politics is the addition of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). From almost nowhere, PTI has emerged as the major political force after its historic Oct 30, 2011 Minar-e-Pakistan Jalsa and the Second-coming at the same venue on March 23 this year. All observers are now agreeing to the fact that PTI and PML (N) are the two leading national level parties contesting these elections. Led by the dynamic Imran Khan, PTI has shown a tireless energy and stamina and literally has taken the country by storm by having more than 70 Jalsas (till writing of these lines with 2 days of campaign remaining) addressed by the Kaptan across Pakistan. He has moved a Jet speed from Peshawar to Karachi to create a real impact on national political scene until the tragic incident that forced him to bed. PTI has very rightly realized that the main battle field will be Punjab and that is why it has focused more PML (N) than PPP.

PML (N) Performance

PML (N) led by Sharif family has also put up a sizeable show to try to maintain its momentum throughout the province. PML (N) has opened its arms to all and sundry and awarded tickets to ex-PML (Q) candidates in numbers in the hope to get a ‘combined’ PML vote. This will have positive impact in many constituencies.

When we look at the past, PML (N) has performed not as well each time it is faced with not one-to-one contest. PAI factor in 1988 and PML (J)/PIF factor in 1993 severely damaged it. In 2008 PML (Q) factor affected it but the APDM boycott helped it. On May 11, the usual ‘right’ to vote that is the main source of PML (N) will have the chance to split between JI, PML (Q) and more than 100 dissident Independent candidates that are running after not getting party tickets.

PML (N) should not be taken for granted of forming a Federal government on May 11.

The Main Battle Field

Contrary to the general perception of PML (N) ‘sweep’ of Punjab, 2008 results showed it has been concentrated to few (14/35) districts only. It is true that its leadership did come back just before elections from the ‘exile’ in Jeddah but it did not have won Punjab overall despite that sympathy vote. Out of 148 seats, PML (N) won 63 seats. It could not win any seat in 10 districts (Mianwali, Bhakkar, Jhang, Mandi Bahuddin, Okara, Lodhran, Khanewal, Rajanpur, Muzaffargarh and Bahawalnagar) and won only one seat in 11 other districts (See Table 3). That means its 52 seats were from 14 districts closer to GT-Road, the reason why it was coined as ‘GT Road Party’, and it won 82% of its seats in 40% of districts. PPP had won 43 (mostly in South Punjab, winning all of 5 Muzaffar Garh seats) and PML (Q) 28 seats. Independents won 13 seats. Mianwali and Bhakkar were the two districts where all seats were won by the Independents. That means 85 seats were not won by PML (N).

2008 Scenario

PPP has got 10.6 million votes riding on BB assassination sympathy wave to get 97 seats (in direct elections) to from the coalition government. PML (N) got 6.78 million votes to get 71 seats (63 from Punjab) and PML (Q) 7.98 million votes but managed to win only 42 seats (28 in Punjab). In the tri-party national level battle the three main parties won 77% (210/272) seats securing 72% (25.37 M / 35.17 M) of the votes.

2013 Possible Scenario

What then we can expect from PTI and PML (N) on May 11. Main attraction of PTI has been the Youth. It is expected that about 20 million youth may vote in these elections who have never voted before. Surveys have shown it to be most popular party among female voters as well. All surveys have shown a vast majority of them may vote for PTI, which also has been Second Choice of almost all parties be it MQM, PPP pr PML (N). It has also fielded very strong candidates in rural constituencies and is able to maintain a very good mix of old and youth. Backed up professionals, PTI has been able to run a campaign that was never seen in political/election history of Pakistan. The Kaptan Fall will naturally motivate PTI workers to go and bring as much voters as they can to the Polling Stations.

FAFEN and Gallup Pakistan surveys have confirmed that Voters turn out may reach 60%, (about 50 Million) the highest ever in Pakistan history. If that happens, it will be actually double the numbers of last Elections actual votes cast. Every percentage means 400,000 to 500,000 votes and the higher the turn out the more is the chance that the New Voter will vote with a more than fair chance of majority voting for PTI.

It has been widely believed and surveys, trends and recent Jalsas have proved beyond doubt that PTI is arguably the largest force in KPK and FATA. It is neck to neck with PML (N) in Punjab and overall more popular than it in Sindh and Baluchistan.

When we look at national level, if only 25% of the New Voters (40 million) vote for PTI that makes 10 million. The old guards like Javed Hashmi, Makhdoom Shah Mehmood, Khursheed Qasuri, Azam Sawati etc have their own votes of about 40,000 on average in their constituencies. 75 such candidates can fetch 3 million votes. PTI message to old voters is also a big factor. If only 10% of those who have casted their vote in past elections vote for PTI that means another 3 million. Based on these conservative estimates PTI total votes in NA elections on May 11 may exceed 16 million, far more enough for it to take simple majority.

On detailed note, PTI has a fair chance of winning 35 seats from NA 1 to 49 (KPK, FATA and Islamabad). It can win 80-85 seats in Punjab (148 seats from NA 50 to 197). From Sindh and Baluchistan it may get 5 seats overall. That can make PTI the largest party. PML (N) may turn out to be second largest party with 70 seats, 90% of those from Punjab. PPP, keeping its historical trend, will be reduced to 35-40 seats, majority from Sindh. MQM will more or less retain its strength. PML (Q) will be almost wiped out with a possible 5 seats. What a pity when we see its ‘candidate’ Shaukat Aziz got 220 plus votes under Musharruf regime.

On Provincial level, PTI can make governments in KPK and Punjab with a share in Baluchistan. Sindh will have a very interesting situation as the surge of the PML (F) led 10-party alliance can bring surprises to led to a situation in which no party can have a simple majority. MQM will then have a good chance to fulfill its long-standing dram of having its candidate as Chief Minister, most probably a non-Urdu speaking MPA.

Whatever the outcome of the May 11 elections, it has established PTI as a national political force. This is an excellent sign for Pakistan as we now have three national level parties. It will strengthen the democratic system and provide more choices to the voters.

The post 5/11 scenario is bright by all means.

(The writer is the Director, Center for Research Development, Lahore)


http://www.thefrontierpost.com/category/40/

The May 11 elections will herald a genuine democratic era in Pakistan. The holding of elections by itself is a landmark accomplishment and a laudable threshold for the onset of a thus elusive democratic order. While the country is caught up in spiraling diabolic lawless and violence, it would be after a pretty long authoritarian spell that the dawn of a representative governance born by the popular vote, would shine at the land and smile at the people of Pakistan.

Powered by the popular mandate, the government in power would be fully competent and legitimate within her right to translate their pledges into concrete outcomes on the ground. The power belongs to the people and that phrase has been truly practiced and reinforced after a lull of long night of darkness and uncertainty. The new era is not going to be “God’s kingdom on earth”. But certainly it is going to be a harbinger and a prelude to a better future for a nation suffering so long at the hands of inept and self-seeking leaders.

By all reckoning there is going to be a hung mandate which means that no single party would be able to form a government. As such one can visualize that the regime coming to the fore would be a coalition government.

The army’s role in these unsettling and fragile times has been sober, modest and detached. Otherwise there always was the enticing bait for the army to step in and capture power. General Kiani has to be genuinely commended for keeping the army away from the trapping of intervention on the pretext of bridling appalling lawlessness and curbing incessant violence that is still rife.
The outgoing PPP regime deserves a genuine credit for holding elections in face of overwhelming odds and the looming specter of army takeover. The media and judiciary of Pakistan also deserve huge applause and generous approbation for dispensing a pioneering and historic role during most murky times. Both these arms of civil society have been berated and occasionally maligned for demonstrating partisanship. But truthfully they deserve the entire nation’s gratitude for serving their respective role and responsibilities in an aggressive and befitting manner.

The newly saddled government would be faced with some of the most pressing challenges to be addressed. The ideological dissensions, the ethnic malice and bias, the inter provincial rivalries, the danger of disintegration, the broken down system of basic civic services, soaring cost of living are priority issues to be addressed immediately.

Equally indispensable is curbing the epidemic of violence and terrorism. The dire need of good governance with the dispensation of unalloyed justice, an enlightened education system, universal literacy, and the health faculties for all, a clean and pollution free environment would be another set of reforms to be put in place. But most imperative would be the empowerment of the people for making decisions at their local levels, which means creating city governments or universally recognized local bodies system.

The development and creation of a massive infrastructure, boosting the industrial sector to restore the confidence of the business community and the transparency in departments from top to bottom are indispensable ingredients for a new Pakistan to emerge and be respected domestically and aboard.

The contours of the foreign policy have to be redrawn freeing Pakistan from the external hegemony and interference. The national sovereignty and integrity should become an article of faith with the new rulers. Pakistan direly needs to disengage itself from being a crony and hireling of the international hegemonic powers.

The economic health and prosperity is vital for the nation to come out of the morass of poverty and impoverishment. The culture of human rights, emancipation from taboos and superstition, elimination of sectarian discords and decadent fundamentalism, are priorities issues to be given urgent attention. Access to inexpensive, prompt and equal justice and availability of abundant basic civic amenities would spruce up and groom Pakistani society and provide a modicum of dignity of life to the citizens.

The list of modernizing Pakistan and putting it on the road to progress, prosperity and stability is not exhaustive. But at least a beginning should be made for a glorious and momentous journey that would gratify the future generations more than the existing one.

The centuries old abomination of feudalism and enslavement of the downtrodden has to be rooted out once and for all. The sway and overpowering influence of parasitical and comprador classes has to be doggedly curbed. The possibility of martial law and attendant cronyism subverting the democratic order has to be decisively obviated.

The rulers and the bureaucracy have to be bound by the ethics of simple living and made accountable to every penny they spend from the tax payers’ money. The ruthless and insidious customs of exploitation of meek and marginalized by the powerful and influential segments and individuals has to be abolished.

We have to watch how after May 11, the new set up unfurls itself and how the formation of governments at federal and provincial levels come up. Would the new government, be humane tolerant and people friendly. Or else it would fall back upon serving the elite and aristocratic classes, feed party interests and filling their personal coffers? Would they earnestly make good their pledges and manifestos splashed during the electioneering campaigns.

Hopefully the upcoming leadership in Pakistan would fulfill their solemn commitments made to the nation and thus earn the honor of being trail blazers of a glorious destiny for Pakistan as well as the forerunners of an ensured resplendent future for its citizens. There is no gainsaying that Pakistan is blessed with enormous resources, immense potential and brilliant manpower to gallop on road to the progress and an all-embracing development in a much short span of time.

(The writer is a US-based senior journalist, a former diplomat and editor of Diplomatic Times)

http://www.thefrontierpost.com/category/40/

D-Day is come

Mujtaba Haider Zaidi

The Pakistan subjects appear to be imperatively optimistic regarding the long-awaited juncture of circumstances that would lead them to elect the political leadership of their choice in the free and fair elections to be held all over the country simultaneously on May 11 this year.

One of the most distinguished features attributed to the coming elections includes these elections are going to be held under the state of affairs where first political and populous government in the history of Pakistan has completed its tenure without being toppled by any adventurous civilian intervention or military coup d’etat actually. Consequently, the masses have turned out to be triumphant in obtaining the dreamful experience of the continuity of populous administration in their motherland at last.

Somehow, the coming elections, as it has aptly been viewed, are being held under excessively unfavourable and unpleasant circumstances the country has been undergoing partly under the thick clouds of perils because of fast growing Talibanization appeared in the aftermath of the purported 9/11 catastrophe, jolting the peace and prosperity of the tribal regions of Pakistan-Afghanistan border; and partly because of the participation of corrupt and defaulter candidates as well as the seasoned and habitual turn-coats in the elections.

Consequently, on the one side, the liberal and moderate political parties and their respective leaderships appear to be under gratuitous life threats at the hands of the terrorists; and on the other side, the individuals under serious corruption allegations have been allowed to participate in the elections for changing the fate of the country once again in the best interests of the country for the future days to come.

Another grave challenge arises on the way to elections is the stance taken by the influential politico-religious scholar Dr. Tahir-ul-Qadri with regards to the entire rebuttal of the current unproductive and ineffective western-styled electoral system that has been in vogue in the country with all its ugliness for the last four and half decades. Since the present electoral system, as Dr. Qadri maintains, would never turn out to be fruitful in respect of producing an honest and patriotic leadership, participation in the process would earn nothing positive for the Pakistan nation at large. On the contrary, it may just accelerate the pace of despair and disappointment of the masses in the wake of the dishonest candidates getting elected once again, who will carry on exercising their corrupt ways once more without witnessing any impartial and effective accountability system.

The arguments made by Dr. Qadri, and the plea he observes while refuting the present electoral system could not be stated to be confined to his party workers or those associated with the Minhaj-ul-Qur’an only. Rather, every sensible person, who had associated anticipations with the Election Commission, looks under illusion regarding the scrutiny had been promised to be witnessed while allowing the candidates to participate in the elections. On the other hand, every human, who has reached the age of 25 years, has been allowed to participate in the elections even having pile of allegations of corruptions and crimes against him.

Moreover, an imperative proportion of intellectuals and scholars looks submitting to the similar viewpoints in respect of applying scrutiny before carrying out election plans on the foundations of westernized political systems. The representatives of the intelligentsia refutes the counting of heads on the foundations of one person and one vote, by maintaining their argument that the system offering the educated and uneducated, honest and corrupt, and intellectual and illiterate one and the same status through the ballot box, would not be in a position of bringing any change in society altogether; almost similar stance is aptly adopted by the religious leadership, which declares the very point that only the pious should have the right to cast their votes in order to elect a pious leadership.

Consequently, the electoral system appears to be significantly a disputed phenomenon in the eyes of intellectuals and religious people alike, though both these schools of thought observe divergent criteria for having the right to vote on the one side, and announcing the candidature for the parliament membership on the other.

Similarly, the moderate forces, rejecting extremism and claiming tolerance and endurance for the people belonging to the opposite and rival groups and communities, undergo denial to participate in the election campaigns with the same spirit as practiced by the right to centre as well as right-wing political factions of the country. As a result, the PPP, ANP and MQM could not make any appropriate communications with the masses through the public meetings as per the tradition of the national politics. Since these parties continuously received threats from the terrorists, they seldom made any appearances in the public gatherings during the election campaign commenced with the termination of the previous parliament by mid-March 2013. However, the most startling issue appeared in the wake of the threats received by these three parties includes the indifference and absolute apathy demonstrated by the right to centre parties towards these threats, as neither they felt any need to condemn these threats made by the terrorists, nor did they encourage the media to discard such a horrible environment where a completely non-state element appears to be regulating the process of coming elections.

Since N-League could not take any bold step necessary for creating a peaceful election campaign environment for its rival parties, how would its leadership be in a position to compete with the grave challenges of terrorism provided it rises at the helm of the next government after getting elected through the ballot box.

Another distinguished feature of the coming election includes the popularity of Imran Khan as a national leader of the country, who looks bold and courageous enough for challenging the corrupt as well as non-state elements in general. Not only this that drone attacks are being opposed and censured in public gatherings, but also he has demonstrated his affiliations with all communities of the country without discrimination in order to create a new Pakistan. In addition, he maintains some urge and strong determination for altering the fate of his nation by kicking the corrupt mafias out of the administrative and political scenario. Consequently, PTI has appeared as a new hope during the last one decade for millions of the people in all parts of the country.

Pakistan election day has arrived at last along with the optimistic anticipations of the masses of the country. Now it is the national duty and moral obligation of all and sundry to cast the vote to the people that could set them free from the clutches of terrorism, energy crises, irregularities and nepotism.

The people of Pakistan look entering the new phase of life, where the ship of the country appears to be surrounded by perils, fears, internal and external threats and injudiciousness. It is the time to put all religious, regional and linguistic differences aside, and to discard all personal, caste, creed and community affiliations for electing an honest, courageous, moderate and dedicated for the best interest of the country, so that the corruption mafia as well as non-state elements could be defeated, and Pakistan could fast progress and prosper under a dynamic and dedicated leadership for the future days to come.

http://www.thefrontierpost.com/category/40/

Although the loan defaulters’, fake degree holders and extra corrupt elements are all contesting but the some smaller measures by EC candidates should be taken as first good step towards maturing democracy in future. PPP is running election campaign in the eccentric way.
It is using Sindh card, martyrdom, provincialism and such other mean tactics to strike a dent to its popular rival PML-N. BB and NS in COD have conceded their past mistakes and had resolved not to repeat past mistakes. PML-N leadership stands to its word but PPP has reverted to the 90s propaganda tactics. One PPP ad in electronic media show Shabaz Sharif and Saifurahman discussing a case with Malik Qayyum. If PML-N and Malik Qayyum were such bad guys why Zardari formed government with PML-N and why appointed Malik Qayyum as law officer. Another ad depicts images of deluge 2010 in Punjab with the poor people’s suffering and background voice holding Punjab government responsible for letting the flood water loose to the poor people, while saving the corps and assets of the PML-N, MPAs and ministers. This is a sure lie. Flood came in Punjab suddenly therefore neither the Punjab government had time or capacity to divert mighty water. On the other hand, 2010 flood entered in Sindh with the time space of 15 to 20 days later. Elected PPP waderas ate away funds and deliberately diverted water towards the crops, homes and hearths of hapless peasants of Sindh to save their crops, factories and palaces.
PPP wala taunt that PML-N head ran away from country so he is coward. Why PPP forgets BB also left the country after having understanding with the rulers of the time.
Another PPP paid ad says that all leaders of the other parties are old aged and Bilwal is young. Inexperienced Bilawal can be used by vested interest inside Party and harmful decisions would be irreversible.
PPP campaigners are also inciting the people in Sindh that Nawaz Sharif being Punjabi would harm the Sindh. The fact is that without the cooperation from PML-N neither Sindh has gained provincial autonomy nor have benefited from its increased share in. Contrary PPP government passed controversial Local Government Ordinances against the interests of its voters and sold the islands of Sindh which mighty Musharraf could not. But the PPP proudly enunciated that it has mandate to do whatever it wants regardless of hue and cry from media and people lead by nationalists. Another gift from PPP is Zulfiqarabad scheme According to a renowned writer and researcher Naseer Memon the population ratio between non Sindhi Speaking living in Karachi and other major cities is 46 per cents against the Sindh speaking people living in interior Sindh which is 54 percent and with the arrival of more millions of non Sindhi settlers in Zulfiqarabad the indigenous people of Sindh would be converted into minority with the stroke of pen overnight. Naturally Nawaz Sharif would not commit any such blunder. Instead he would try his best to reward Sindh because he wants to make strong party base in the province.
No doubt PPP has lost path of politics of principles and ideology and his five year performance is summery of shifting the trend to self interest, chicanery and gimmickry. PML-N has presented it in Punjab as a transparent model of governance by inviting the Transparency International to check it s projects.
On the contrary PPP has presented itself the embodiment of corruption, forgery, and trampling the law, constitution, rules and regulations. This election is going to be fought on these two fronts but silver lining is that a impressive number of voters in Sindh is waking up to question candidates and giving them tough time and sleepless nights. In Dadu District PPP candidates were invited and then welcomed with eggs, tomatoes and cow dung’s. Previously, particularly during 2008 election Dadu and Johi Tehsil where made no go area for Liaqat Jatoi by PPPs diehard but this time many of these areas have been made forbidden areas for the PPP candidates. Whereas PML-N candidate Liaqat Jotoi is showered with rose petals and thousands of people including a large number of disgruntled PPP workers throng his public meetings and rallies.
This time a large number of independent candidates are also in field to nibble the vote of the parties and powerful candidates, but real fight in interior Sindh is going to be among PPP, PML-N, PML functional and couple of nationalist candidates. It is most likely that PPP would lose large chunk of seats in Sindh due to above mentioned factors. But even if it manages to win majority it would not be able to form government as in past the party ruled the roost in the provinces who won at the center. Though at center PTI has emerged as third strong contender and would dent the seats of PML-N but majority of the political scientist and independent commentators as well as international opinion polls give number one to PML-N. Thus it is most likely that PML-N would lead the coalition government at center and if past is any guide when PML-N and other parties having nominal seats had formed government in Sindh. In short either PPP wins majority in Sindh or not it would be losers in both cases.

http://www.thefrontierpost.com/category/40/

So the looters and the plunderers of the public money reappear out of their havens, like lions, reptiles and beasts. The arrows of their malign objectives pointed at yet another heaven of treasures, lest the malice of their accomplice, the complementing competitor supersedes. Labeling others’ sincerity naïve and devotion caprice, the believers of orthodox, primitive and backward Pakistan vaingloriously oppose innovativeness and creativity. The supporters quixotically scream in their favor, either insincere with the country or oblivious of the previous malice of their party leaders or are led by their self-interests, avarice.
‘Poverty is not a vice but an inconvenience’ (Shakespeare); today this inconvenience has been ubiquitous and has gradually become a vice, culminating in the form of street crime at its minimum scale and suicide attacks at its maximum. The whole country is engulfed with the smoke of terrorism, the suffocation aggravates and the lives are jeopardized. The business is facing recession and investor confidence is evaporating up, foreign investor laments loss of host country’s lives and properties what to speak of taking interest in making Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Pakistan? The plight is ascribable to poor economic management and public policies founded upon poor foresight and selfishness. Water reservoirs drying up, Sui gas gassing out and the electricity de-electrifying seventy five percent of the population, roti, kaprha aur makaan [bread, clothing and shelter] translating into roti, kaprha na makaan [bread, clothing nor shelter]. The whole lot of national wealth transformed into foreign assets of our political leaders, hence from the national poet Allama Iqbal: meray khaak o khoon se tu ne ye jahaan kiya hy paida, Silaa-e-shaheed kya hy tab-o-taab-e-jaavidana (you have created this world out of my blood and ash; bravo, a martyr like me cannot have reward more than that) what a satire?
In the midst of general poverty and presence of dis-utilities, a few months ago, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf (former seasonal but unseasoned prime minister) while addressing ‘his’ audience at Pakistan Steels Mills, Karachi boosted of revolution which to him had already evolved, and got accomplished under his succession. This is nothing except a parody of the word revolution, a circumlocution since the poverty is at the rise and all macroeconomic indicators prove unfavorable. A few days ago Mr. Gillani, the predecessor of Raja sahib confessed on a local TV channel about the mismanagement of national treasury during his tenure, but he confessed so with a prick of salt, annexing with it a claim that ‘they were not alone’; the coalescing parties must also admit their pie in the cake. Well, Gillani sahib who had all other pies of the cake? What your party traded against that pie of cake? Hence who fostered a ‘win-win’ situation with coalescing parties, and finally who were the losers? Pakistani nationals!
On the Day of Judgment, those destined to dwell in hell for ever(or pro tem) will wish if they could have another chance of reliving in the world, Mian sahib is beseeching the youth to give him another chance, but another chance for what? Today he promises that if and only if he is elected this time; he will catapult whole of the economy, but what about the previous chance? He boosts of attaining atomic power but Mian sahib economic power is undoubtedly equally important, but individual empowerment is pivotal, and imperative is self-esteem fueled by affluence; since people need bread to eat not the potassium sulfate.
He highlights motor way, but many don’t have ‘motor’ at all, or fuel for the motor and a vast majority of Pakistanis don’t have ‘way’ out of the vicious circle of poverty, and ironically even the motor way does not give a way out! This is rather a trap, since buses traveling through the motor way charge more freight; those who can afford to travel by motor way are scarcely masses. Yet, if one starts debating on scandals, foreign assets and accounts, both of the alternately governing political parties have immense corruption on their accounts.
The men of virtue are sporadic; the men with altruism, servitude and political will are very rare or kept away from the business of ruling. Though the Islamic history is replete with incidents with respect to great rulers, yet the ideal ones are considered to be the first four caliphs of prophet of Islam.
The first one empowered subjugates to deter him as and when he is found swerving from the path of Quran and Sunna of prophet of Islam. He was found trading cloth in the market as a caliph in order to make his living; and was then suggested to stay in masjid of Madina in order for dealing with day to day state issues. The second caliph had to explain as to how he managed to have full dress out of a piece of cloth which was not enough for his tall body.
The piece of cloth came out of bounty of a war, so he had to justify his stance explaining that he added his son’s share as well. He used to say that if a goat dies at the bank of Nile, he will remain answerable to God. Ultimately, the fourth caliph had to take over, he started crying after being elected as caliph, in fact he feared God haply he is not able to serve His people legitimately. Today how many candidates in Pakistan have such sentiments, philosophy and attitude?
The man being called a ‘naïve’ politician, maker of a ‘new’ Pakistan with the help of ‘tsunami’ is untried and aloof of any scandals. So he is naïve politician, Mr. Zardari was not a properly trained politician, but he managed to maneuver and then capitalize the ruling opportunity. His political journey started when he married to Benazir, and climbed to pinnacle when Benazir died. Mian sahib was nurtured by Zia on the basis of his business acumen or God knows what? Ask the fifty percent Pakistanis living below the poverty line as to how these great politicians have kicked them to this state of poverty; through their artifice.
The expression ‘New’ Pakistan is being mocked, the implication is deliberately shied off by the opponents that is; new systems, new mindsets, new policies, new economy, new education system, and above all new conscience (not to beg, not to bow, just grow). One must admit that Tsunami does carry negative denotation, but its connotation has to be internalized, Tsunami that will shave off all evils from the country. This connotation reminds me of Saadat Hassan Manto’s Urdu fiction Yazeed where a newly born baby is named Yazeed. When the father is questioned about this anomaly he replies, ‘that one Yazeed stopped water, this one Yazeed will open it.’

http://www.thefrontierpost.com/category/40/

Election euphoria remained on nerves of every Pakistani and by the time these views get place in print form, power of voters would have decided the fate of parties and candidates bringing solace or distress for many.
Here debate questioning conduct of election in time and conspiracy theories coming in support to this view also turns phony.
All goes faultless for democratic flag high in days to come with smooth transaction of power between elected leaders.
A new dawn comes urging hope for our prosperity, better recognition of us as a nation and nonetheless most significant for a place where life get significance is the desire of everyone. However, this remains question that how democracy contribute for people which is the government of them.
Election campaign this time marked innovation; a mark difference is utilizing the tool of media, social website and electronic means. To me it looks that voter of today is with broader vision in electing their fate deciders for coming term.
Historically, two parties clean exchange of government and opposition is no more reality.
Third party, PTI coming on political canvas get focus of voters in single point inspiration - change and abolishment of status quo. Some grace mark also get party leader, Mr Imran Khan, cricketer turn politician for this charisma but his slogan for change attracts more. Some regional and linguistic parties also raised similar slogan of change in past but multifarious factors hindered in their object of brining any visible change.
Today the simple souls in less educated chunk of voter need not much at doorstep. It is, corruption free Patwar and police and prompt dispense of justice.
Veteran two parties of past seldom focused or stressed much lesser despite sufficient role participation in past politics. Current manifestos of these veterans also find no rooms of visible change in system.
Any one that promises and assures the simple need of voters gets response and PTI gets lead in all this in whole election campaign. Popularity graph PTI with change envisaged goes higher consistently, query remains that how powerful mandate PTI will get in legislative assembly, everything coming with the slogan of change.
Literate and educated class also seems convince on single point convincing agenda demand which is taking out political system currently in hostage of corruption.
Reality remains that PTI alone can not form government in any case and its alliance with parties with stereotypical and trite methodology will be a future development.
How all this fragile alliances pull along putting reconciliation and accountability in opposite sides of balance in environment set for change?
Finding space in opposition bench for a term of another five year in contingency plan will ceased its initiative for claimed change.
Mr Khan also understand well the potency of opposition bench and strength of opponent for longer duration in our political system is open to all where switching of benches take place often to meet interest. How this change comes in transforming all this remains million dollar question but we all feels that change in inevitable.

http://www.thefrontierpost.com/category/40/