Three Cheers for Democracy

Yesterday I got an opportunity  to speak with a renowned BBC correspondent who happened to be here for coverage of  May 11 elections. I indeed called her to clarify  about a comment which she gave in her report few hours ago. After I had conveyed my view point the Lady correspondent expressed her feelings  about election  said “  I am proud to be here at this historical juncture of Pakistan’s history, It is a great Nation and congratulations to you all, Pakistan is a proud Nation today”. There are thousands of comments like that from across the Globe on holding of such unprecedented elections. But few political parties who could not achieve desired success are  pointing fingers on the credibility of elections But no body paying heed to them. People who are more wise today than ever know these are only rhetoric by typical stooges of Politics.

Nawaz Sharif is all set to form a Govt in the centre and in the biggest Province of Punjab, PPP though in shock but ready to form govt in Sindh. The situation in KPK and Balochistan will remain murcy  till formulation of Govt but ultimately this is What Democracy is. first time in Pakistan’s history the Democratic Process has taken  a decisive lead  and fate of the Nation has been  decided by the voters themselves.

 Success has many fathers  and Defeat is usually Orphan. Many new trends were witnessed during May elections : unprecedented turnout  throughout the country including the Province of Balochistan ( a leading and renowned journalist Saleem Shahid from Quetta reported in daily Dawn on 12 May  that turn out in Balochistan was almost 40%).  Umer Qureshi of Express Tribune tweeted that over 7000 women cast their vote in Mohmammand Agency and over 1900 women came out of their homes in South Wazirastan Agency. Such was never witnessed before and it all happened despite terror threats from extremist and anti democratic forces. The upper class living in posh areas of big cities first time came out of their homes and stood in long queues to express their will in favour of Democracy. Army Chief was seen casting his vote in a polling both. Chief Justice, CEC and all big leaders of Political parties came out and expressed their will. Jubilation and exuberance on Election day was at its peek. Over all a peaceful election conducted in a festive environment. Media and International observers had free access to witness conduct of elections.

 Who should get credit for holding of this fair and free elections in a festive environment: is it Politicians who should be given credit for this progressive change in our political land scape, certainly yes but to some extent. is it Media, which has played a constructive role in formulation of a vibrant society and exposed almost every segment horizontally and vertically during last five years, Yes Media can take the  maximum credit of this transformation and positive political development but not the whole credit. Then on whose cap feather should be pinned, i think two factors contributed significantly for this success, one is role of establishment which remained committed to the constitutional role of defending the motherland and left politics to those who are meant to deal with it. Judicial activism might have influenced the Political scene but Judiciary is very much part of this Democratic process and their intervention if any was surely meant for the good of the society at large. What needs to be appreciated more is the role of the people of Pakistan. They have projected themselves to be one of the  most positive nation of the world. Despite many hiccups in governance, masses remained committed to Democracy. But ultimately one need to appreciate the Military leadership who did not let the system be derailed. They remained under sharp criticism on one pretext or the other but they also remained focused  towards strengthening of Democracy in the country.

It sure is a  victory of the Pakistani Nation. Entire nation stood like a rock against terrorists to off set their nefarious designs. This achievement is indeed reflection that our democratic system is maturing with each passing day.  What we need is to concentrate now is on strengthening of this system rather than allowing others to exploit fissures in our society. We should emerge as a nation and who can do this is, surely the Political System and strong institutions.