Pakistan is on the crossroads of democracy, 5 years of elected government just ended amicably, there was no coup from any quarters of power. From a technical perspective all was good.
But was it? Two months of reserves left for imports, and IMF reluctant to support thereafter, brink of default and chaos. As if what exists isn’t just that, massive unemployment, Dollar touching it’s highest exchange rate in Pakistan’s history, sectarian and ethnic violence order of the day, flight of capital a misnomer as most of the former has flown already to greener pastures in the Middle East and onwards. The “writ” of the government an illusion in the face of foreign powers and local groups doing whatever, whenever, however they like.
The man on the street disillusioned by a nose diving economy, lawlessness, powerlessness (literally, no / hardly any electricity/energy) violence and foreign interference the likes of which any sovereign nation of the world hasn’t seen. Media that constantly blows the horn of “democratic ideals” oblivious to their implementation, a Chief Justice who tips the scales of justice in favor of personal enmity more than ideals of the same. The people find their backs broken or on the verge thereof.
The fruits of democracy? Or the punishment thereof? Beseeched by western ideals of the same in a very apples to oranges comparison; Western relatively stable economies, fair law & prevalent order, strong middle class driven and mostly educated and aware voter base supported by a generally credible choice of campaigners; in naked contrast to unstable economies, rampant corruption, nonexistent law & order, dwindling middle class sandwiched between increasing upper and lowest of the lower classes and murderers and looters for political campaigners. Was this a rocket science analysis or mainstream knowledge? And if it was mainstream knowledge then why did those aware kept mum inside the country? Waiting for disaster to strike? Why did the very well aware Western powers feign ignorance and continually “renewed support” for “democratically elected” governments, no matter how corrupt, non performing or criminal in thoughts and acts?
Vested interest, fear of the powers that be, or simply criminal negligence by all internal and external stakeholders? History shall prefer to choose the latter when it pens today in far away future.
In this backdrop come Pakistan’s elections 2013, three main contenders, two of them old wines in old bottles (PPP and PML-N) and one old wine in a new bottle (PTI), the picture further blurred by the return of retired COAS and ex President (Musharraf) counting on MQM and Army second tier echelons support, the Taliban factor with tacit support from Nawaz (PML-N) and the Mullahs that favor blood over peace, a very partial judiciary and a wait-and-see Army and bureaucracy top leadership.
What lies in store, realistically is further chaos and hopelessness. Many hope for Imran Khan’s (PTI) Tsunami, I concede a minor entry into politics at best for him – maybe 10 or 15 seats at most, for the rural areas are dominated by the “Waderas, Chaudhry’s and Sardars” the landlord mafia of Pakistan that literally control the lives and deaths of the village population – their paid or unpaid serfs and slaves, harshly punished for not voting for the king of their land through rapes, economic sanctions and bullydom the likes of which Europe didn’t see in it’s dark ages, only a clear reality in 2013 for the masses – 80% of the voter base of Pakistan.
In the current state of affairs, Nawaz (PML-N) vote base has been divided between PTI and the Mullah’s whereas the PPP base has strengthened, five years of governance, unlimited flow of funds to their vote banks in the name of BISP (Benazir Income Support Program) and countless government and non government initiatives will pay off as the victory speech of President Asif Ali Zardari and his “Bhutto” son when they shall speak “neither hundreds of thousands of Islamists who besieged Islamabad (Tahir Ul Qadri) nor the tsunami bringers (Imran Khan) deter the voters of Pakistan from choosing their rightful leaders, the true servants of Pakistan, the givers of the slogan ‘roti, kapra aur makan’ (bread, clothes and houses) – Pakistan People’s Party”
I do not say this, any Pakistani with half a brain left says the same, the leaders of ISI predicted the same few years back, and this shall be. The only thing that can change this reality is the return to common sense of the powers in the West that numbly support the corrupt.
To expect the voter bank of Pakistan to bring any “change” in it’s leadership is akin to expecting the slaves of the Pharoah’s to vote Moses in!
That, is the “real story” behind Elections 2013 Pakistan.
