Democratic Victory: A First for Pakistan

For a country the government of which had been overthrown by political infighting and coups and top government officials eliminated through various nefarious means since its founding in 1947, Pakistan has made a historical victory. It is a democratic victory with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf being able to achieve what his predecessors failed to do – to remain in office and give his country a full term of service, a first for Pakistan.

The Prime Minister firmly believes that this feat will enable democracy to be protected in the future. But there is still the cloud of uncertainty hovering over Pakistan, because militant groups are still present and there is growing unrest in sectarian groups.

Mr. Ashraf further stated that his full term in office has strengthened democracy’s foundations in Pakistan, even if his political party, Pakistan People’s Party, was not able to provide the proverbial “milk and honey.” He said that his governing party had tried to do its best in alleviating the problems plaguing the country for so long.

Interim

Mr. Ashraf’s tenure ended on Saturday, March 16 and an election for his successor is expected to be held around May. He promised his people that the next election would be fair and free. He added that he hoped the parties would be amicable when they hold a consensus on which rival candidates should be the leader of the caretaker government.

The Prime Minister’s legislative body was dissolved at the end of his five-year leadership and an interim government is expected to be named soon. Two of the more popular opposition parties are expected to be great challengers to the elections as well as Mr. Ashraf’s PPP – former cricket star player Imran Khan’s and the one led by Nawaz Sharif, a former prime minister.

Proposed interim leaders

Mr. Ashraf himself proposed Mir Hazar Khan Khoso (retired judge) and Chief Hussain (former head of the Bank of Pakistan and ex-Finance Minister) as interim leaders. Opposition leader of the PML-N Party Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan proposed the inclusion of Nasir Aslam Zahid (retired judge), Shakirullah Ja (retired judge) and Rasool Bakhsh Palejo (Sindhi Awami Tehrik chief) in the selection.

More challenges ahead

There had been many trials and shakedowns during Mr. Ashraf’s time in office. He still faces corruption charges. But his government also made inroads into implementing reforms to provide answers to the many problems facing Pakistan. The army, which had been one of the strongest powers in Pakistan, would keep out of politics, according to General Ashfaq Kayani, the country’s army chief.

Still, the country faces political, social and economic problems that have beset the country for decades. Allies in the western world have sent financial aid worth billions of dollars to Pakistan in an effort to counter the threat of recruitment to militant groups due to corruption and shortages in energy and poverty. The financial aid is still short to answer the needs of the population and the Pakistani government is predicted to once again request for monetary help from the International Monetary Fund. The Asian Development Bank estimates that Pakistan’s monetary loan from the IMF would amount to $9 billion.

Photo Credit:  Outgoing Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf of Pakistan