Happiness This Way

Editors view on the 2008 elections in Pakistan

Publishers of view on elections 2008 (Before the death of Benazir Bhutto)

It is a common thought that a person reading Pakistani newspapers may not be appropriate to provide a precise idea that what happens in Pakistan. Second concerns Musharraf's government ruled on the responsibility of the media in Pakistan's development, makes the character of the media still more suspect. Third, common men are not able to understand the difference between the views of the newspaper column writers. Most people just begins to read a brief selection of their titles. And try to discover the truth. But after a week when someone asked what the main theme, so it will not answer. For some reason they thought they should be a piece of writing that can provide comprehensive analysis of the upcoming elections. So I selected two English newspapers namely the Aurora and news publishers and copy their web editions from December 1 to December 21, 2007. I make an effort to get their views on the upcoming elections, political parties and the Musharraf government. Most all items are in one way or another related with elections. This article will provide an overview of the events of three weeks and all at once the reader can judge whether a prediction or analysis by any newspaper was fact or fiction.

About elections in January of Dawn ("The task ahead" 01 December) believes that, possibly, the elections were held in peace for the reason that the promises made by Musharraf to withdraw emergency and the PCO can not make everyone happy fragments of the opposition boycott of the elections by the PML (N) and the IC will have an effect on the credibility of the elections. An interesting phrase "There are more than just elections APDM not meet. A precondition for a more just and transparent election is the need to lift restrictions on the media, "shows that Aurora APDM is not supposed to work seriously to lift the stops in the media. That's why Alba has established itself as a proposal to the concerned authorities and the general public.

The adoption of a clear perspective on the political boycott of the Dawn ("The talks, not threats" 02 December) condemned the APDM in these words "The APDM is far from clear on what is beyond the boycott." And on the other hand criticized the composition of the Provisional Government current and the election commission of Pakistan. But at the same time showing the mirror of the opposition in these words "As to the composition of the configuration current caretaker of the electoral commission, the opposition is justified in casting doubt on the fairness of the elections. But the opposition must also share the blame for the current disaster in view of its failure to forge a unified position in relation with respect to the dictatorship in Islamabad whose strength is, among others, on the basis the disunity of their adversaries. "Dawn not only points out the problems with the portrait, but also gives a proposal for the cure of the syndrome." The only how to put aside all these concerns by those who are willing to participate in elections and convince the boycotters to join the fray is that the president convene a meeting of all parties to iron out these differences and to make some changes to avoid slurs being cast in the electoral process. "All parties opposition is putting a question mark over the credibility of the electoral process, leaving aside only PML Q and Mollana Sahib. The Dawn ("The 'target common '"05 December) represents this idea, as such," Any election held under the circumstances shall not be acceptable to all opposition, except perhaps Mollana Fazlur Rahman. What credibility of an election that only the former ruling party and its officially designated leader for the opposition, will be free and fair, nobody knows? The News (A step towards the future "01 December), believes that this boycott in perspective," Al same time, President Musharraf statement of the company's general election would take place as planned in January, and that "nobody would be allowed create a barrier in the transition to democracy "are welcome. They give an indication of the resolve to make a full rotation of the interrupted process of democracy. Given the examples in the past, political parties would do well to participate in the process, instead staging a boycott. Full participation groups representing all shades of opinion is really the best way to strengthen the system. "The News (" Free Aitzaz Ahsan "03 December) a complaint has been made "Aitzaz is, by any measure, a popular politician, a brilliant orator and a successful lawyer – at the moment he is the man the government is so scared that he has again been caged for 30 days. It is also a candidate in the election and January 8 How can lure their voters if he is detained. This would suggest that what the government is doing in your case is not only pre-poll – and that most of such "flagrant. The next day gear The News (Olla "04 December)" The one issue on which each party is loudly and vociferously is the credibility of the regime to hold a truly free and fair elections. This is the biggest challenge facing President Musharraf and has already indicated that if the results of the survey on January 8 are unacceptable, you can close the scene. This can be seen as a sign of weakness, but your best option as the country's civilian president would be done with honesty and sincerity above what political fray, leave some of its allies paternalistic past, sit down with key political leaders giving due respect, create a transparent and free of fear and thus going to boycott the election issue and more about the issues instead of his own person. "criticizing the election news (" Mr Boycott "December 10) suggests" Boycott is much on the lips of politicians as we move towards the election of January 2008, and as yet it is clear which party, if after a period of ritual postures, they will boycott the elections. Boycotts have a varied history in terms of success, and any 'boycott' of the electoral process by the parties is likely to inflict wounds on themselves in the institutions and processes that are boycotting. One could argue that in this case a boycott of the process to remove these so involved even more of the levers of power than they already are, and do little to revive their parts that are still recovering from years of absence. "

On the subject of disagreement between the camps and Nawaz Bhutto, Dawn (Split, boycotting December evaluates the reasons as "technically, the talks were held between the ARD and the APDM. But for all practical purposes was the two former prime ministers who were exploring the possibility of a joint stand in general elections. The ARD team was relatively homogeneous, but diversity APDM's delegation did not appear to have entered the path of a consensus within the field of Nawaz, Professor Khursheed Ahmad presence symbolizes the hard line adopted by the MMA Qazi faction. The two sides also differ in their attitude towards President Pervez Musharraf. Although Benazir Bhutto had suggested that he was willing to work with a president without uniform, Nawaz Sharif made it absolutely clear that President Musharraf, either within or out of uniform, was not acceptable to him. "And in the end Dawn Nawaz valid approach, "President Musharraf may be out of uniform, but the machinery of state is not out of dictatorial manner."
In this feudal Pakistan's capitalist civilization, all facets of life is under their influence. It is evident in the days before the election when the parties give tickets to this segment of society. Dawn ("feudal domain" December 9) raises the curtain on the site of the next Parliament in these words "For decades, society Pakistan has undergone many changes, but an important component of our body politic has resisted all changes: the feudal control of political institutions the country … According to the report, three national mainstream parties – PPP, PML-N, PML-Q – F-LMP and based in Sindh have made no effort to diversify the representation class in Parliament and have continued to party tickets in overwhelming numbers to the feudal lords. "The News (" Taking the initiative "02 December) shows another side of the coin was in these words "In recent years, the gradual disappearance of ideology – unless adhered to by religious parties – From politics in Pakistan has left behind a situation where policies concerning key issues such as privatization, welfare and taxation no longer included in election campaigns. In contrast, exercise has been reduced largely to fighting between powerful individuals, whose personal standing, influence and wealth decides the outcome of the contest to fill a particular job. In other words, elections have become little more than a kind of wrestling competition among such "strong men, and occasionally women, whose success or failure is the best loosely related to the program of their parties."

From the beginning, with foreign hands are involved in Pakistani politics. Dawn ("The real constituency?" 09 December) gives details of the situation. "Responsibility to the people is a basic principle of democracy. It is true that we are currently living in dictatorial times, but public opinion has been largely insignificant in Pakistani politics, even in times of democracy, engineering or otherwise. Our leaders in recent decades, and is Benazir Bhutto, Nawaz Sharif or Pervez Musharraf, have looked to foreign shores for validation and subsequent consolidation of power. If not working, and at the wrong end the equation of power, our politicians make a beeline for Washington and London in an attempt to destabilize the incumbents in Islamabad. Your true constituency, apparently not the people of Pakistan, but U.S. and its allies in Europe and the Middle East – and of course the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi, in some cases …. The image abroad is clearly more important than the view at home. When elections can be manipulated, losing votes and the confidence of the people is not a primary concern. Ours is a country that has imported two prime ministers, one of the World Bank in Washington and one from Citigroup in New York. However, our leaders speak of "sovereignty" and lose no opportunity to condemn foreign interference … We only have ourselves to blame for any interference in our internal affairs. 'Advice' from abroad has been throughout all kowtow, why should it be surprising that the Saudi envoy may meet Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry, when the former prime Ministers of Pakistan and his colleagues of the deposed chief justice, friends and admirers can not? Or that foreign diplomats have been doing counseling local politicians in the run up to elections, or by visiting the offices of proscribed by the emergency? Turkish President recently met with Pakistan's leading politicians, going so far as to prepare them on how to deal with the military. Without doubt, has some experience in this matter, but only in the context Turkey. "

Criticizing the policy of boycott and suggest a way for political parties Alba ("PML-N in the" December 11) write these lines "The drama of boycott, which should have been behind us now, has taken a bizarre turn. Having failed to reach a consensus on question of the boycott at its meeting of critics on Sunday, participants APDM had overlooked his differences with the announcement that all parties were free components to follow their own path. It did not surprise anyone, the PML-N decided to enter the race only to find themselves being thrown out of the APDM that Mian Nawaz Sharif himself had Founded in July … How the parties participating in elections price now depends on numerous factors such as their ability to enter into sharing arrangements the seat, the position taken on the restoration of the pre-PCO judiciary in his campaign, and its success in mobilizing voters who have been depoliticized over the years and are generally apathetic and cynical about regarding the game of politics being played in the country. "

PML Q manifesto designed with five D's and made some promises to the nation. Dawn ("The manifest season," Dec. 12) presents the party in these words "The two leaders said that the PML would not support the presidential system, despite the constitutional system as it exists today has been stripped of his parliamentary character and presidential is in all but name …. Like all manifestos, the agenda of the PML-Q contains objectives and promises, if fulfilled, can help end poverty, to establish equality, education, media, giving the people a better life and take Pakistan into the 21st century. However, once in power, parties tend to ignore their commitments election, and is the bureaucracy that develops and implements plans often meet the conditionalities imposed by aid donors. "Although the news (" The D's five "December 12) criticizes the same phenomena in these words" It is also true that both the two manifestos published to date details, with carefully planned words and slogans, have something in them that resembles a hand of cards by a group of boy scouts or some similar organization. There's something a bit childish on approach all the effort, especially because the document, as is the case of the PPP, made no effort to provide insight into the ideological basis of policy parties expected to follow, but essentially reads like a list of promises or solemn commitments. This also says something about the broader role of manifestos in the politics of Pakistan. The fact is that the statements contained in these documents are seldom or never implemented. And knowledge of this reality is perhaps one reason why the parties may afford to allow so many big words and phrases to dominate them, hoping that in a system where checks and balances have increasingly moved away or push to one side, and the powers of the people to retain the leaders or pull them off from outside assistance, or alter the electoral process itself, is unlikely to be called upon to deliver on promises …. Whereas in its manifesto, and in speeches at launch, party leaders of the PML-Q talked about democracy inside and outside the party, the reality is that during his five years in office, the party has done little to build a culture. "Commenting on the manifesto of the PML-N news ("theme" Restoring December 17) wrote these words "Using the acronym" Restore ", the PML-N has joined the sudden surge Ad shown by the political parties, with the emphasis on the return of deposed judges and to the role of the military in politics. The seven letters the word "stand RESTORE" for the restoration of the judiciary, democracy and the Constitution of 1973, elimination of military role in politics, life and property safety, tolerance, reconciliation general, relief for the poor and education and employment. Like those announced by the PPP and PML-Q in the last month, the agenda of the PML-N is obviously an impossibly ambitious. "

Only lawyers are left to continue their boycott of elections position. Other major parties decided to participate in elections. Dawn ("The lawyers and the boycott" Dec. 14) describes this as "the decision of Mr. Aitzaz Ahsan to remove the choice seems to finally be in line with the legal community boycotting the January 8 vote. The position of lawyers is that they are participating in general elections are legitimizing the Musharraf government …. The politicians have shown no unanimity on boycott. Maulana Fazlur Rahman decision to go to election has divided the MMA, and the boycott camp collapsed when the PML-N nearly defected to the other side. The boycott is now confined to the Jamaat-i-Islami, plus some smaller parties. The principled stand against the president's legal community March 09 decision and the enactment of the OCP will be history as unprecedented in terms of the sacrifices rendered. However, they often feel uncomfortable about the danger of the legal community to get politicized. "The News (" The middle way "December 7) raises the question of the new judicial role in the collection in these words" It's a fact, and rightly observe Mr Malik, that hundreds of district judges, magistrates and civil judges throughout the country were transferred with immediate effect by the presidents of the provincial superior courts just before the announcement of election schedule. These are trial judges who will become officers and back are crucial cogs in the electoral process. Resources against their decisions will go to high courts and the current Supreme Court, and all these are attended by the judges who took fresh oath on PCO. Thus, the building of the elections everything has been built so that unwanted political candidate can be removed at any stage of the process. That's where the system could be rigged as has been amply demonstrated by the rejection of nomination papers of both Nawaz Sharif and Shahbaz Sharif. "The News (" In the court's president, "December 13) put some light on Musharraf PROMIC "Therefore the election of 2008 is moving slowly to become what President Pervez Musharraf had described once as the "mother of all elections." It is also reassuring that the president has stated publicly that it will accept the results and try to work with anyone who comes to power after the elections. Despite his assertion that "I relate to people very well, I'm not a creator such problems" can sound like an oversimplification or a little optimistic, at least seems to be sounding the right notes to work with an elected parliament really …. While Ms. Bhutto and Mr Sharif has to show its strength in the polls, Musharraf has a much more difficult task to accomplish. He has to prove his words, repeated often that is neutral and not support any political party. This needs more than a few statements to establish, especially if you look at resources in the form of state government and has been seized by the former Punjab chief minister when he and his party go hand trying to win a "superior" in the electorally-crucial province. "

Bhutto driven analysis that judges were doing politics before the promulgation of the Interim Constitution of November 03 order which sent them packing, and his claim that the elections were not fair, Dawn (strange logic of Bhutto "December 15) gives the history of the emergence of leadership politician in Pakistan. "A sense of wonder must also be felt by many over his warning that the January 8 election will be fraudulent. Is she the only one who can rely on the full game plan drawn up by the devil, so to speak? This acute sense of paranoia is really disturbing … Ms. Bhutto certainly has a good memory, but tends to disappear and not selective. There has been a historical pattern in which never the affirmation of independence by civilians players went unpunished, and the list is long. In recent times, it is worth remembering that Mr. Zulfikar Ali Bhutto made his debut in politics under a regime of martial law and took power after elections held under the military regime. Mr. Mohammed Khan Junejo was handpicked by General Ziaul Haq. They asserted their independence in due time, Bhutto paid with his life, his work Junejo only. Not judges creditworthiness expelled for its stand in 2007, "The news (" early step in "December 15) on the other hand supports civil society and the movement of lawyers and praise Aitaza Ahsan election boycott" The decision by the SCBA president Aitzaz Ahsan to withdraw nomination papers had been filed in a district of Lahore as the candidate of PPP, has immediately raised their status a man of principles. In explaining its decision, which deviates from the party line Aitzaz has been affiliated for decades, said he had decided to stick the community of lawyers who had bravely led the struggle for judicial independence. "

Prediction of some facts about the next Aurora parliament ("strange logic of Bhutto" December 16) said: "The amendments to the Basic Law since November 3 can not be undone, except for two-thirds majority, and it appears that the January 8 elections will give us a hung parliament where the opposition will be impossible to bring together many votes. In other words, the lower house that will be released next month will be presented with a fait accompli. What position of the PML (Q) in the assembly will is difficult to say, but should not be beyond the president's power to manage a two-thirds majority with the help of the king's party "and those willing to move forward. That the president chose not to, and amendments have already become part of the Constitution to show that it has decided not to give House even rubber-stamp the state. "Next day in its editorial (Pakistan in His Labyrinth), Dawn suggests that this situation is very impotent for the people Pakistan "As for the January 8 elections are concerned, there was very little in the president's speech Saturday night to dispel opposition fears regarding transparency of the polls, even though Musharraf has invited any number of foreign observers to witness the process. At the same time, he made it clear he will not allow any agitation or rejection of election results by anyone. In these circumstances, the poet Faiz prophetic lines come to mind: "Have a vow of fidelity or separation, do as you please / what we do control? How will we endorse? The people of Pakistan have never been so helpless in shaping their political destiny. "And the same day in another editorial" voters list "He expresses his concern about the involvement of women who vote in elections "Here we can say that an issue that must be addressed by the Electoral Commission and NGOs working at grassroots and civil society is the participation of women in the electoral process. In the years women have increasingly participated in the polls, thanks to the efforts advocacy groups that have conducted campaigns to educate women politically. But the thing that gives rise to major concern is the fact that in some constituencies the female participation rate has actually been zero. This has been attributed to a patriarchal culture with older men banning women cast your ballot. This is reprehensible. The Electoral Commission should investigate this matter and take steps to prevent the use of social pressure to prevent women from exercising their right to vote. "

Even critics dawn hung next parliament, is in favor of participating in elections. "The participation of Most of the major political parties in elections is the right decision, although the PPP and PML-N have said that participating in the protest. As the two are not agree on a charter of demands as a precondition for their participation, in the hope that elections could be held under a more equitable dispensation but now everything is discontinuous. It is clear that those who have chosen to stay away have left the field open to his opponents, which can achieve something else, other than to disappoint his voters compromised. The JI is perhaps the forgiveness of his sin of being part in the 17th Amendment and now refuses to do anything that might be seen as the adoption of systems to measure Musharraf again. Mr. Imran Khan and nationalists have no faith left in the current system because they believe that the next parliament as the outgoing one, shall be under the thumb of the president. "Although the news (" Role reversal "December 11) after Nawaz's decision to participate in elections describe the next parliament with the words "In this situation, it also poses a dilemma for the ruling group and indeed to President Musharraf. A majority two-thirds in the new assembly is essential to the presidential camp, so the necessary parliamentary stamp of approval can be given to post-November 3 decisions. The decision of the PML-N to participate in the polls makes this task more difficult – at least if a free and fair election is organized. "

Some political parties have expressed concerns about election fraud and making threats to launch the agitation after the election. Dawn ("Manipulating and agitation" December 21) recalls the history of Pakistani politics and gives direction for the future "The government lifted the emergency on December 15, leaving only three weeks for the campaign. The business class is, of course, very happy with the government. People might have remained poor, but the economic benefits to Pakistan after of the 9 / 11 have gone mainly to the entrepreneurial class that has prospered at the expense of the people. For that reason, this class has no reason to fund an anti-Musharraf (read anti-American) agitation. In fact, very few are magnates of a challenge to the election and is likely to be the parliament due to his power to buy votes. If, for Therefore, some parties are planning a mass unrest after the January 8 vote, you must read the situation carefully. As events since 09 March have shown, lawyers and journalists turmoil has failed to provoke a popular response, and it is unlikely that people will respond with zeal a revolver against the government as they did in 1977. "

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