Amidst Democracy

Written by Hadeed Sher

Despite rumors and false alarms, the caretaker government managed to hold general elections 2013, peacefully throughout Pakistan. A record voter turnout was an epitome of the fact that people want democracy to prevail in Pakistan. The peaceful electoral process is indeed a victory of this nation. For the past 12 years Pakistan has been facing intense terrorism across the country and is facing a proxy war of religious extremists and foreign funded rebel forces in Balochistan and KPK. However, the people of Pakistan, through ballot decided in favor of democracy.

Through this election 2013 it was also proved correct that democracy is the best revenge. The Pakistan Peoples Party who was holding the reins of federal government and provincial govt of Sindh, Baluchistan and Awami National Party who was the custodian of KPK government, are held responsible for the present bleak condition of Pakistan, and were rejected by the voters. In KPK ANP lost the position of govt and its mainstream leadership lost the electoral battle miserably. Ghulam Ahmad Billor who was the federal Minister of Railways was defeated by Imran Khan in NA-01. Raja Parvaiz Ashraf who was the person behind the rental power case lost his home seat against PMLN candidate. Dr. Firdos Ashiq Awan, another PPP stalwart known for her aggressive talks in TV shows was also defeated in Sialkot by a PMLN rival. In general, the people of Pakistan announced their verdict loud and clear that only performance will matter in the future democratic setup of Pakistan and that the people have understood that the power of the vote must be exercised in the right way.

It is also worth mentioning here that in these elections people rejected most of the turncoats thus giving their verdict on GE 2013. In most cases these turncoats were once closest aide of Gen Musharraf. Ameer Muqam who was supposedly the most influenced people of SWAT was rejected by the people. Similarly, the people outrightly rejected Khusheed Mahmood Qassori and Marvi Memon in Punjab and Sindh respectively. Although there are a huge number of parliamentarians who have changed their parties but surprisingly the so called giants of politics were defeated missebly in these elections and this process will go on with the continuity of the democratic process.

As a whole nation deserves congratulations on holding peaceful the elections. This bonanza of colors is not black and white and various bleak issues of democracy will be enlightened with the continuation of the democratic process.