The New Nation - Internet Edition

Dr. M. S. Haq

This evening (25 November 2007), PM Nawaz Sharif has returned to Pakistan. The event may, in many respects, be considered as a victory for Pakistan, for the people of Pakistan, for President General Pervez Musharraf, for Saudi government, for PM Nawaz Sharif and for others when it comes to efforts towards taking national reconciliations to a new height, in one way or another. A brief analysis of the outcome of recent developments in areas of politics and democracy in Pakistan would reveal, among other things, the president and the administration have been making solid and visible advancements towards promoting and sustaining an enabling environment for repositioning democracy in Pakistan on a more solid ground and preparing the country for recovering losses on account of for example, democracy related insufficiency and its ramifications at local, national, regional, global and other levels.

The good news is: if developments of above and related nature are allowed to continue through the foreseeable future in a more purposeful, peaceful, proper, collective, result-oriented and sustainable manner, the outcome of those developments could afford Pakistanis yet another opportunity for cultivating democracy largely in the way the people of Pakistan wants to see it growing, wants to practicing it, wants to sustaining it, and wants to promoting it - all in pursuits of greater interest of Pakistan and the future of Pakistan, among other things.

In that respect, it will be essential for Pakistan to initiate and implement measures - as soon as possible and as practicable - in pursuit of making its democratic power compatible with its nuclear power (used in a wider and deeper sense) provided that the country is willing to harness maximum benefits from an N/10 solution (used in a chemistry sense) of above powers through the foreseeable future and that it is interested in becoming an influential, reliable, viable and respected regional, as well as world power and partner, to mention a few. But if it fails to achieve those and other related things in a timely and satisfactory fashion, a fallout from resultant developments could not only endanger its own peace, progress and security but peace, progress and security at regional, global and other levels, for an instance.

In light of above, the choices for the people of Pakistan are, at this point in time, pretty straight forward. They will have to decide:

Whether or not they would allow political parties to boycott upcoming elections en mass or otherwise? Whether or not they would allow political parties to play games with upcoming elections in the names of democracy, development, and so on?

Whether or not they would allow political parties to harness maximum possible opportunities for building upon gains the country has made so far, particularly, under the stewardship of President Musharraf?

Whether or not they would allow Pakistan to move forward, in a peaceful, matured, responsible and forward looking manner, with its agenda on say, democratization and development? Whether or not they would show patience, tolerance, objectivity and entrepreneurial skills when it comes to meeting challenges of, and harnessing opportunities for, democracy and development in the country between now and the foreseeable future?

Whether or not they would force and assist - as required - political parties when it comes to taking the right decision at the right time and cost in their behalf (meaning, the people) in relevant areas?

Whether or not they would allow terrorism, extremism and other anti-state activities in the country to taking toll on their life, religion, values, property, freedom, liberty, democracy, security, progress and prosperity, as applicable and on a continuous basis, for example? Whether or not they want to push the country towards say, instability, confusion and corruption beyond a tolerable level?

Whether or not they would allow political activities that might perhaps result in situations warranting the declaration of martial law in the country by the president or lead to a military coup or a series of military coup in the country through the foreseeable future?

Whether or not they would rise on the occasion to advice and guide President Musharraf, political parties and others in pursuits of best for all solutions, per se? Whether or not they want a people's government or otherwise on an urgent basis and in an effective manner?

Kindly note: the questions mentioned above (as examples) have been designed to facilitate further efforts towards reminding once again the people of Pakistan of their rights and obligations with regard to maintaining and promoting well-being of Pakistan and the world at large under present and evolving situations, as well as circumstances and to assist them in taking the right decision at the right time and cost without fear or favor in those situations and circumstances. I believe Pakistanis are aware of the facts that the existing and continuing political instabilities and attempts to destabilizing Pakistan (if successful) could affect - inter alia and in varying degrees - their per capita entitlements, especially those of the poor people.

The people of Pakistan and others should be ready for meeting, in the immediate future, situations (products of assumptions) like the ones mentioned below.

1. The members of major opposition political parties who have filed or will file nomination papers up to and including tomorrow (26 November 2007) for 'participating' in upcoming elections might withdraw their nominations afterwards, either in part or in full, depending on situations that might evolve either before or after President Musharraf take the oath as a civilian president. It implies inter alia the concerned political parties are either buying time for saying "no" to their participation in upcoming elections and change eventually their present face or they have not yet made up their mind in respect of their participation in the elections. In such an event, if a sizable majority or influential political parties sided with the government in favor of elections, the elections would take place as scheduled, whether under the emergency or otherwise.

2. Either one of the former prime ministers could become the next prime minister of Pakistan, if they and their parties could fetch, either individually or as part of a coalition, majority of the national seats in the election and if the bar on say, third time prime-ministership is removed through the required majority via an amendment in the constitution, for example.

3. If the political parties are able to mobilize popular support in favor of boycotting upcoming elections, if the law and order situation remains under control of the government and if the military does not interfere in the state of affairs, it is likely - the elections might take place at a later date, under modified or changed environments or structures or both - whether or not as a result of national reconciliations by the president and his team, or as the outcome of political contracts agreed (to be) between and among the president and political parties, or otherwise.

4. The government will be formed by political parties who will win in upcoming elections slated for 08 January 2008. Political parties who will be unsuccessful in the election or who will not participate in the election or both might elect to continue their effort in the names of say, democracy through the future time. A windfall from that could witness inter alia a continuing instability in domains of the country's politics, development and democracy, relative to time, space and other variables, though - making developments of Pakistan an increasingly difficult task in an increasingly competitive and uncertain environment at local, national, regional, global and other levels.

By the way, President Musharraf and political parties could explore jointly the possibility of forming inter alia a government of national unity after the elections. It should be noted here: a more effective and efficient transaction between the presidency and the parliament, under the present system of governance in Pakistan, will be critical to promote a continuing progress and prosperity of the country and the world at large. Otherwise: Pakistan could perhaps re-enter into vicious cycles of political and developmental calamities in a more hydra headed and destructive way than ever. It is expected good sense will not only prevail in minds of Pakistanis to whom it may concern, but will find productive expressions through relevant deeds in the days ahead. It is also expected the commonwealth will soon be able to withdraw its suspension related decision regarding Pakistan and the country will not become an unnecessary victim of investment related diseases, among other negative things. Wishing all the best to President Musharraf and others.