First, let
me congratulate the people of Pakistan, who have come forward against all the
threats posed by Jihadist elements and have restored their faith in democracy.
They know and have learnt from their elder brother that Democracy can only lead
them to development and can provide stability. Though there is all together
praising in world media about the transition of civilian government to another
for the first time in Pakistan, but I am certainly apprehensive does it is a
real restoration of democracy?
For me
democracy means just not the rule of the people, but it should be a harmonious rule
of the people of all communities of all faith, caste and creed. Majority
dominance in the polity at the cost of minorities is not a democracy. Democracy
should not only be done but it should be seen to be done. But whether this is
reflecting in Pakistan? My answer is No. Let me put some pointers here.
Firstly, If
you look at the Pakistan’s elections results it is not that a national party is
coming into power but a regional party who is coming into central power. Nawaz
Sharif’s party PML-N has performed well only in Punjab and has acquired most of
the seats in western Punjab which has the highest share of 183 seats in 372
member assembly. Similarly PPP of Zardari has done well only in Sindh. In
Balochistan, none of these parties have performed well. So this shows that the
people are divided on the ethnic ground and there are certain chances of Punjabi
Dominance in the government structure, thereby sidelining the other ethnic
communities of Pakistan especially Balochs who have been demanding for the separate
nation since Pakistan’s formation. Balochs have always alleged their resources’
exploitation by the politicians of Western Punjab and these results would give
more impetus to such claims. So, Nawaz Sharif will have a challenge to the
address the grievances of the Balochs against the wishes of his own
constituency of Punjab.
Secondly,
the rights of minorities not only Hindus but the Muslims like Shias and Ahmedis
will be in jeopardy. Shipa-e-shabha and Lashker –e-jhangvi : these are the two
notorious Jihadist elements who are working against the minorities especially
Shias and Ahmedis. All recent attacks on Shias in Pakistan which has claimed
around 500 lives was claimed by these group openly. Their leaders are openly
giving speeches in Punjab without any fear of Law. Their main agenda is to make
Pakistan – A Sunni and Salafi Pakistan. These groups have given open support to
the PML-N in these elections. Similarly the notorious Tehreek-e-Taliban has
given tacit support to PML-N and PTI of Imran khan by issuing advisory (fatwa) against
the other parties calling them liberal and secular. Imran khan has openly
claimed that their party is not seeking the votes of Ahmedis as he believes in
Allah and Ahmedis are infidels. This shows that these election results will strengthen
the hands of radicals in Pakistan which is not good for India too. Hafiz Saeed,
the most wanted terrorist has his considerable footprint in Lahore and Punjab.
So it will again be a challenge to Nawaz Sharif when he will deal with India. Though
in his rallies and post election rally, he has announced that he will help
India by conducting joint investigation on 26/11 but we have to wait for his tall
claims to fruitify.
Thirdly, there
are allegations and supportive evidences that Pakistani military has manipulated
the election’s results in favor of Nawaz Sharif with the help of Jihadi
elements and by rigging. Pakistan’s Military always want this government to be
subservient to them in matters of defence and Foreign policy. Nawaz Sharif will
not have a free hand in these matters in future. Any curtailing of power of
army will lead to a coup or army sponsored fall of Government, since this
government is short of majority.
I guess all
these factors have made me to conclude that Pakistan’s Democracy transition
will only strengthen the radicals and military rather than empowering the
common people. I pray for Pakistan, the day it will emerge as a true democracy.
Something what happened in Turkey in last decade, I would like to see such
transition in Pakistan. Amen, it will happen as my optimism says.
