Pakistan Elections - 2008: Need For A Positive Approach
By The Pakistani Spectator • Feb 15th, 2008 • Category: Pakistan Vote'08, Politics, Worth A Second Look • (1,348 views) • 6 CommentsBy Swaraaj Chauhan
The national elections generate special excitement in any country…and Pakistan is no exception. Next week the Pakistanis would be lining up the polling booths to decide the future leaders of their country. It is expected that a large number of people would turn up to exercise their power to cast their precious vote. And each vote counts. (For details about Pakistan election please click here) .
A nation that has more faith in the divine powers of Allah/the Almighty God, rather than in those who create fears/doubts about violence, rigging or worse, would emerge victorious. I believe in the power of the positive thought. A highly talented journalist friend of mine, Mohammed Vazeeruddin of Hyderabad, used to say: “Jab Allah meherbaan to gaddha pehlwan!” So, we must learn to live with all…a horse/ass or wise leaders!!! Of course, the people’s will must prevail.
In India the public lives/tolerates all and sundry!!! So why can’t their brothers/sisters in Pakistan? With due respect to all those who share the prevailing skepticism, the recent statements/actions by the Army chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani raise some hope. News reports say that he has ordered the withdrawal of military officers from the government’s civil departments. More Here.
Despite occasional clampdown on freedom of expression, the outsiders are impressed at the vibrant manner in which journalists and others in Pakistan have managed to convey their points of view in the media. This too bodes well for the return of democracy in the country. There are a number of interesting/informative web sites dealing with forthcoming elections, including this one.
With all its shortcomings, a democracy provides a safety valve as in a pressure cooker. A nation where people’s voices are stifled for long is likely to explode more often. The people living in this part of the world are quite expressive/volatile/colourful and no amount of rigid command/control system would work or force them to ‘fall in line’ for long!!! A good leader would understand this.
This subcontinent has turned into a dangerous playground of various powerful outside forces. The triumph of democracy in the countries located here could herald an era of peaceful living and ensuring a degree of prosperity in the region where two square meals is a luxury. The nations here are stirring up and the governments must wake up to the necessity of providing basic amenities to the masses — such as education, health and housing — instead of spending mind-boggling sums on amassing arms.
We are passing through a crucial period. As Asia Times points out: “A wave of democratic transitions will sweep South Asia this year as three countries - Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan - will be reverting to democratic rule while two nations - Bhutan and the Maldives - undergo the democratic process for the first time in their histories. All eyes will be on Pakistan’s parliamentary elections on February 18…”
Let us hope/pray for the best…
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February 15th, 2008
I am really in stunned silence now a days because situation is very critical. I really hope that these elections are different from the past ones. But sometime I get some strange and funny feelings about whether the change I am expecting will come or not. Yes we should all pray for this and hope for the best.
February 15th, 2008
Nice Post.
February 15th, 2008
Nicely done. A very hope creating one.
Keep it up.
February 15th, 2008
Yes a very good post indeed.
Dear Imran,
Funny feelings alright but be hopeful and yes do pray as well.
regards
February 15th, 2008
Yes I am hopeful. As the matter of fact I really have strong faith in my prayers and on my God. And that is why I will be casting my vote this time. I don’t trust the candidates in my area but I will give it to the lesser evil and of course it will not be from PML-Q.
March 18th, 2008
FACTS ON THE GROUND IN PAKISTAN.Reference to the Islamic history and Pakistan’s independance period, I want to go a step further and will recomand to select/elect every Chief of Army staff as president after retirement and the present Army chief should be be given extra time for his oustanding services at national and international level and all other Corps. Commanders of the Army and COS of Airforce and Navy should be apponited Governors and Deputy Governors of the provinces and regions ( by creating regional governments in all four provinces, 2 in Punjab 1 in each province- these regions already exist based on language, culture and history , such as Saraiki, Potahari, Upper Sind-Sukkar, Dera Ismail Khan in NWFP and Gawadar- Balouch Area. And all additional bureaucrates who love to live in provincial capitals should be trasfered to these remote areas of the country. These new regions should invite and attrect the foreigner and Pakistani origin people to invest in the area to creat jobs and eliminate poverty.) This is the only way we can stop further intereption/ coup in Pakistan . After all armed forces personnel are wel diciplined and organized . And above all represent Pakistan’s divercified population. With this arrangement no one is loser except few feudals and industrialists, who reprent non of the masses in Pakistan. We already have a quota system applied for superior services since 30 years and had killed thousands of innocent talented young people, why not try this arrangement for the welfare of the country which will effect none but very few so called politicians who after all deal with generals behind the curtains.And it’s good to know that supporters of these politician are 500/600 Mafia heads who live in 125 districts in Pakistan and provide so called public leadership for national, provincial and local levels. All 8000/9000 candidates in recent elections were from the same mafia group who are the biggest law breakers and around 900 leading law breaker are elected as tne new law makers who will take care of none but themselves. They all involved in worst kind of crimes on this earth against humanity.WOULD THE EDITOR PUBLISH THIS LETTER in the larger interest of the nation. KHWAJA AFTAB ALI , the first and only post graduate of Intellectual Property Laws on scholarship from USA. Residing in Orlando, Florida.U.S.A. at 4418 St. Georges Court, Kissimmee, Fl.34746 Phone. 407-729-3983 & 407-397-1376 -