Is ‘change’ inevitable on May 11?

[HASEEB ANSARI]

Is ‘change’ inevitable on May 11?
By Muhammad Omar Iftikhar

The former captain has credibility to his character as no corruption cases are pending in his name and stands in Pakistan’s political arena with a clean sheet

The political structure of Pakistan might change once the 2013 elections take place on May 11. This will mark a momentous occasion, as elections will take place after a democratically elected government, for the first time in Pakistan’s history, completed its five-year term in office. Expectations are high among the voters while the political parties have initiated their election campaigns across the country. Where some believe that a change might come with the emergence of Imran Khan as the prime minister, others view that old faces will re-enter Islamabad and the country’s state affairs will remain the same.

The road to democracy in Pakistan, however, has never been smooth sailing for any political leader. The country’s first prime minister, Liaquat Ali Khan’s assassination left a permanent smudge of instability over the political quarters of the country. In 2007, the assassination of former two-time prime minister Benazir Bhutto hinted at the presence of non-state actors working to derail the country.

If democracy has never seen sunshine in Pakistan, then military coups have been the major competitor to Pakistan’s democracy. Although some think that military dictators were the need of the hour when they took over the country in the past, the political quarters believe that the military should not interfere in state matters because democracy must get a chance to progress on its own. The last five years are an example of what happens when democratic actors play with the country.

The political parties vowing to change Pakistan have in their hands the future of Pakistan. Among an array of contenders, the four major parties contesting in the 2013 elections are the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN), and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). Former President Pervez Musharraf did return to Pakistan to contest the elections but the Election Commission of Pakistan rejected his nomination papers from all four constituencies, leaving the erstwhile general in an idle state. Moreover, he is spending time at his farmhouse, which the courts declared a sub-jail. What role will Musharraf and his party, the All Pakistan Muslim League (APML), play in the elections is yet to be seen.

As the political parties hoist their flags, boast about their manifestos, and vow to change Pakistan, people only wish to live in a country where the government provides them with security, employment, a rising literacy rate, law and order, healthcare, and opportunities for growth. Although leaders gather mass support in their rallies, the masses in particular seldom care who runs the country as long as they are provided with the basic necessities and facilities. In this context, the incoming government in the post-May 11 era must realise that serving the state and its people should be their priority instead of rising to the echelons of power for their vested interests, which unfortunately, has been the modus operandi of all previous governments.

Where political leaders are promising a better future by bringing a change, the people of Pakistan are doubtful about their pledges. Excluding Khan, all other candidates have either served in the government, sat in the opposition, or have played an influential part in the country’s politics from time to time. Khan coined the word ‘tsunami’ to define his mass support and the strength with which his party, the PTI, will sweep the elections on May 11, sideline all rivals, bring a change, and lay the foundations of a Naya (new) Pakistan. The former captain of the Pakistan cricket team has credibility to his character as no corruption cases are pending in his name and stands in Pakistan’s political arena with a clean sheet. If he fulfils even 50 percent of his promises if elected as the head of government, Pakistan is surely heading towards a brighter future.

Apart from Khan, other parties in the battle to reclaim their lost status as leaders are using strong promises to induce voters to put a check mark next to their election symbols on May 11. With the election campaigns in full swing, the parties are using their manifestos as weapons of choice to lure as much support as they can. However, printing and distributing a manifesto with a catchy design, a smart motto, and a list of promises never assures true victory. The real game begins once the public selects a leader and he actually fulfils his promises and uses his party manifesto as a guidebook to change the country’s future. People seldom see such passion to lead in Pakistan as leaders revert from their stance the moment they come into power and get busy in performing acts of self-glorification. The incoming leaders of Pakistan should remember that if elected, they should maintain their credibility among the masses throughout their tenure by honestly following their pledges. It is the promise of change that instils hope in a nation and when they materialise into actions, they create a progressive nation.

The writer is a regular columnist for various English dailies and writes on regional issues.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default...2-5-2013_pg3_4