SALAM TO PAKISTAN AWAM

In the last 66 years of its existence, democracy has been playing truant with the Pak destiny. Repeated military rules did not give sufficient time to the people to appreciate the benefits of democracy. However, the just concluded general election there has given indications of a better future. Braving all odds, the people came out to exercise their franchise. For the first time a democratically elected government completed its full tenure and is handing over power to another elected govt. For this the Pakistan awam deserves a hearty hats off from the entire democratic world

At the outset, the Pakistan watchers, in the wake of blatant criminal activities of the terrorists, led by the Pak Taliban, had serious doubts about the peaceful completion of the general election. The terror outfits had made it sufficiently clear that democracy did not suit the Islamic tenets and hence they would make all efforts to thwart the election. They had targeted several candidates and warned the electorate to keep off voting. Some election meetings were disturbed causing casualties and injuries to the innocent public. Despite such a looming threat, the people came out of their homes and voted for the candidates of their choice. Barring a few incidents, the election was conducted peacefully which boosted the morale of the law and order machinery. The percentage of voting was breathtaking 60% of which, the 18 crore Pakistanis  can definitely feel proud.

The journalistic forecasts, appear to have slightly missed the target on a few points. Originally they felt that the people will vote on ideological lines which was not seen anywhere. Rather the voters were guided by their regional loyalties. Imran Khan, the cricketer -cum-politician is a Pathan of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, his main support base. He fought election from four constiruencies and won in three. However, most of the seats of his Tahreek-e-Insaf have come from the home province. On the other hand, Sindh has been the bastion of the Bhutto family since the days of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto. Accordingly, Zardari’s PPP got maximum votes from Karachi areas only. Though the leading Pakistan Muslim League(N) has attracted countrywide response, but the real victory has come from Punjab, home of Nawaz Sharif. Not only that, his party has simultaneously retained its hold on Punjab province with a still better majority. The number two party of Imran is far way behind Sharif.

During the election  campaigns, one could get an idea that the result will give a split verdict. The voters proved wiser by giving chance to one party so that there was no political uncertainty. Some people thought that with a clean image and internal support of the army and the Talibans, Imran Khan might emerge victorious. Once again the voters decided to depend on the old war-horse, Nawaz Sharif. We in India wish his this hatrick of  victory to be luckier so that the Indo-Pak relations assumed a chapter of peace and prosperity.