Mixed feelings as Pakistan goes to polls

THE Pakistani community in Doha is suspended in a state of hopefulness and pessimism, as the country goes to national and provincial polls today for the first time since 2002.

Gulf Times talked to a cross-section of Pakistanis about their opinion about the elections, the buildup to which saw the suspension of 60 senior judges, imposition of six weeks of emergency rule by “General” Pervez Musharraf and the assassination of two-time prime minister Benazir Bhutto.

“Science has proven that human beings are hard-wired for optimism, knowing things might not turn out the way one would hope for and so I am looking forward to welcome a stable government after the elections, even if intuitively, the scenario looks gloomy,” said Idrees Anwar, managing director of Al Khiyarin Group.

“I am not a Tarot card reader, nor can I predict any outcome of the elections, especially after reports that they have already been rigged by the government machinery. However, in case of free and fair elections today, the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) should be able to lead and build a government of national consensus,” said Anwar.

“This sounds extremely unlikely though, considering there is simply too much at stake especially for a Washington-backed Musharraf. The only hope is the hundreds of international observers playing their part,” he added.

Riaz Butt, a long-time Doha resident and a supporter of the PPP, said: “In the absence of a leader that can truly represent a nation of 160mn people, the electoral process is bound to throw up opportunists or those with no grip of the ground realities. The only other option seems to be Nawaz Sharif, who is a kind-hearted man to talk to but lacks the character and qualities of a leader,” said Butt.

“Pakistan is a country in serious decline, with no institutions, no direction and gun-slinging extremists using the country as a safe haven, thanks to the policies of Pervez Musharraf. He should realise that his time is up and he has got to go.”

Expressing some hope in the outcome of the elections, Shamas Gul, who manages a construction firm said: “The return of Nawaz Sharif has again given hope to people. You will see that his party will post huge victories in Punjab and the NWFP provinces and perform better in Balochistan.

“His policies talk about bringing the disenchanted ones to the main foray. He is the only one who talks about reinstating the dozens of Supreme Court Judges. He talks about education and future. You will see that the people of Pakistan will come out to vote regardless of the threats created by the recent bombings and vote for him,” said Gul.

Tanveer Shahid, an entrepreneur agreed with Anwar: “The whole process of electing a democratic government through people’s right to franchise is not understood in our country, where feudal lords, industrialists, military and external forces remain the core of our representative system.”

“The political leaders, campaigning have yet to ask themselves in private whether their policies, promises, and pledges are in even sync with what people want?” said Shahid.

“The aim seems to be reaching the echelons of power, and then forget about the constituencies. The whole process is a farce,” he said.

“They (politicians) have nothing to offer to us and I have nothing to give them in return,” he added.

Sikandar Akbar Khan, who works as an administrative secretary saw a grim picture ahead as well: “The situation is pretty remarkable. If the elections are found to have been rigged, chances are high for a public agitation. If the results throw up a “hostile” parliament, the chances of a skirmish between the House and the president are equally high. It’s a quagmire scenario.”

“But we must remember that Musharraf has represented Pakistan on all fronts in a dignified manner, while the country was going through a difficult phase. Foremost is the war on terrorism and we need the continuation of his policies.”

“He has also kept all his promises. He’s taken off uniform, the parliament has completed its tenure, the elections are happening. Anything else would be asking too much of him, considering these are tough times,” said Khan.

Abdul Latif Baloch, who is the founder chairman of Pakistan Baloch Social Welfare Society predicted sweeping victories for PPP in rural Sindh and Balochistan, while saying that Islamist leaders leading the way in NWFP and Pakistan Muslim League (Quaid) in Punjab.

“I hope to see 50% of turnout today. People will come out en masse to exercise their inherent right to vote. The attitudes have changed. The thinking in the establishment and the political parties is to avoid any agitation. Now is a time to work together,” said Baloch.

“A newly-formed national government will have to address the issue of terrorism first and for that we all have to work together. Due credit must be given to Musharraf who has undertaken huge developmental projects in the too-often neglected Balochistan province.”

See also Page 17