debottam
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Pakistan has eventually made it. For the first time since 47, the country is going to an election after a civilian government completed its term. If the current despots are voted out of power, and a new and better (even if marginally) party emerges victorious, the effect on the population will be electric. Trust in democratic norms remains low in Pakistan and with due reason. A break in the pattern will certainly instill some faith in democratic procedures among the masses. Which is why this election is important. The question is - will Pakistanis break the pattern? Will the old, corrupt 'parties' (the correct word is dynasty) be kicked out?
Pakistan's ruling political parties will get little credit for this however. For the past five years, the country has struggled from one disaster to another. At times it looked as if the country is running practically without any government at all. If anything, the fact that this government is able to complete its term is plain luck. It's basically due to lack of any alternative. The army is currently in the backseat, and US doesn't want them to make any trouble while the Afghan operation is going on.
Don't for a second keep any false hope however, that US is interested in democracy in Pakistan or for that matter in any other country. If one has learnt anything from the past, s/he should know that US is bothered about nothing but its own interest, and will support any form of government in a foreign country as long as it does their bidding. The current government in Pakistan has been doing exactly that for last five years, with distinction one might add, and hence the nonstop propaganda in western media about Pakistani democracy. The fact that a leader as corrupt as Asif Ali Jardari is being portrayed as the lighthouse for 'freedom' and the associated crap that is going on in western media should entitle these people on both sides Oscar nominations.
If tomorrow an elected popular leader decides to put a stop on the drone attacks (guess who), US will immediately declare him/her a modern Hitler, an obstacle to Pakistani 'democracy' (the fact that s/he is elected won't matter, of course) and will try to depose him with full force. They will certainly find some help from their oldest client in the country i.e. the men in khaki. Although, this time it would be significantly more difficult (and bloody), given the enormous anger among the masses against US. US was and remains the biggest threat to democracy in Pakistan
The situation in Balochistan and KP is simply too hostile for a proper electoral procedure. Turnout may be as low as 30%. Karachi too will be besieged by violence. What's particularly scary about Karachi is that demographically Pathans are now a very large minority in that city. Like before, MQM will resort to violence to maintain their hold there. So far the Pathans have sided with the moderate (by South Asian standards) ANP. But if their democratic rights continue to be violated, ANP might get sidelined and far more radical groups may come to the front, to say nothing about the Taliban. Post election violence will take Karachi back to the days of early nineties. MQM remains unable to accommodate non-muhajirs till now. Punjab and interior Sindh too will prove difficult for the weak state machinery. Conducting a fair election is going to be a mammoth task.
Pakistan's ruling political parties will get little credit for this however. For the past five years, the country has struggled from one disaster to another. At times it looked as if the country is running practically without any government at all. If anything, the fact that this government is able to complete its term is plain luck. It's basically due to lack of any alternative. The army is currently in the backseat, and US doesn't want them to make any trouble while the Afghan operation is going on.
Don't for a second keep any false hope however, that US is interested in democracy in Pakistan or for that matter in any other country. If one has learnt anything from the past, s/he should know that US is bothered about nothing but its own interest, and will support any form of government in a foreign country as long as it does their bidding. The current government in Pakistan has been doing exactly that for last five years, with distinction one might add, and hence the nonstop propaganda in western media about Pakistani democracy. The fact that a leader as corrupt as Asif Ali Jardari is being portrayed as the lighthouse for 'freedom' and the associated crap that is going on in western media should entitle these people on both sides Oscar nominations.
If tomorrow an elected popular leader decides to put a stop on the drone attacks (guess who), US will immediately declare him/her a modern Hitler, an obstacle to Pakistani 'democracy' (the fact that s/he is elected won't matter, of course) and will try to depose him with full force. They will certainly find some help from their oldest client in the country i.e. the men in khaki. Although, this time it would be significantly more difficult (and bloody), given the enormous anger among the masses against US. US was and remains the biggest threat to democracy in Pakistan
The situation in Balochistan and KP is simply too hostile for a proper electoral procedure. Turnout may be as low as 30%. Karachi too will be besieged by violence. What's particularly scary about Karachi is that demographically Pathans are now a very large minority in that city. Like before, MQM will resort to violence to maintain their hold there. So far the Pathans have sided with the moderate (by South Asian standards) ANP. But if their democratic rights continue to be violated, ANP might get sidelined and far more radical groups may come to the front, to say nothing about the Taliban. Post election violence will take Karachi back to the days of early nineties. MQM remains unable to accommodate non-muhajirs till now. Punjab and interior Sindh too will prove difficult for the weak state machinery. Conducting a fair election is going to be a mammoth task.
