By Ali Mumtaz

fluid scenario of the startling verdict by the voting public, through the October 10 polls, seems to have put the galaxy of politicians at the bay of an enormous test for the restoration of a democratic rule as none could clutch a perceptible majority to form a government in Islamabad without any obstacle or delay.

While the interaction amongst the apex headship of multiple parties and alliances goes on unabated ever since the decree of the winners over the days, breaking of ice vis-à-vis the composition of the Lower House of the Parliament as to who is to head the treasury benches and who will have to occupy the differing seats still remains any one’s guess. It is mainly due to the fact that the two parties, the PML (QA) and PPPP plus the Muthida Majlis-e-Amal, have surfaced on the national polity without a crystal mandate, resulting into a sort of political fiasco. A silky smooth sailing is being envisioned by the egalitarian pundits only in the shape of a coalition for which diverse perceptions are roaming around as, by and large, almost every dazzling victor has a different mindset towards the basic national as well as global issues, explicitly, those overcastting to skies of today’s world. Nonetheless it is not a very complex task as the political leadership in Pakistan, prima facie, looks determined to get onto a logical verdict for the re-emergence of the dawn of an era of democracy after a pause of almost three years.

Though a visible or specific opus of the National Assembly is erratic, the fact that MMA is to play a pivotal role, to this effect, can in no way be evaporated. Whereas its union with the PPPP appears probable in the present settings, obviously, due to identical approach on miscellaneous aspects, its leaning, at the same time, towards the PML (QA) can not be ruled out. The only focal point between a set for coalition may be the question of Premiership as almost each party or an alliance is eager to grasp this significant slot. With this outlook the three major frontrunners have their own candidates, the PPPP with the name of Makhdoom Amin Fahim, the MMA with Maualana Fazalur Rehman and perhaps Farooq Ahmad Leghari as the nominee of the PML (QA). A glimpse on such a picture unfolds forecast plentiful complexities for a coalition, which is, must for the formation of a government at the centre. Even if the Independents come out in a big way to side with anyone of the three champions, a consensus for the top executive slot shall remain a pre-requisite for an early configuration of the new NA. For this at least two out of the three aspirants for premiership shall have to withdraw from a contest, which seems a gargantuan job. In such a way the parties, which have attained comparatively slighter seats, like the PML (NA), MQM, National Alliance as well as others will be in a convenient position to express their affiliations towards the expectant majority for pulling the current environments out of a ‘mess’.

An immense responsibility thus rests with the lawmakers-elect to work out a mutual formula, reflecting the aspirations of their electorate which has reposed confidence on them, with zest and optimal trust, that with the return of a democratic era, their representatives will go by the words, they had aired via their speeches n’ manifestos. Its’ an acknowledged fact, accepted by the global community with pragmatic approach except a few exceptions like the EU, that President Pervez Musharraf has accomplished his commitment with the nation within the time frame, given to him by the Supreme Court, by holding general elections in a free, fair and transparent way. Now the ball is roving in the arena of politics, which has to set off a decisive role for the transformation of the military rule into a democratic structure, of course, with the parliamentary form as its pedestal.

Ali Mumtaz is a Manchester based freelance journalist, with a strong command on the International History and Affairs and is currently a fellow of Development Studies at the University of Manchester, UK.  He is also the member of TWT News Net Editorial Board. His e-mail address is [email protected] 

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© 2002 Ali Mumtaz

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