Adil Najam
Its time to take stock of the year 2006. Its also time for another ATP Poll.
We did think of doing something around a ‘Person of the Year’ theme and I even thought of a few possible candidates (here, here and here). But that seemed too obvious, and more likely to turn into a popularity contest rather than a thought-provoking discussion.
Instead, we want to focus on the following question:
WHICH EVENTS AND TRENDS FROM 2006 ARE MOST LIKELY TO LEAVE A LASTING IMPACT ON PAKISTAN POLITICS AND SOCIETY?
Our desire is to have the focus not just on what has happened in 2006, but in the implication of what happened in 2006 on the FUTURE of Pakistan. The emphasis is clearly on the future, and we hope to have a good discussion on why, which trend will impact the future of Pakistan, how.
(An explanation of what we mean by each choice is given below; because of a cache plug-in your vote may not appear in the results immediately.)
{democracy:2}
Unlike previous ATP Polls (on women rights, Gen. Musharraf’s future, past leaders, and Gen. Musharraf’s performance), the challenge here is not in phrasing the question but in figuring out possible options for the answer. Since we do not have the technological ability to allow readers to add their own options, we have narrowed down the list to the following ten key events and event-related trends. We are sure other things that could have been added to this, but without wanting to make this too long, too unwieldy or too broad, we have decided upon the following possible events and trends as answer choices. (Some of are very directly related to a specific event but signifying broader underlying trends; others are broader trends that relate to a collectivity of multiple smaller events.)
Movement on Pakistan-India relations (also here and here), especially including recent moves by Pakistan on Kashmir and related improvements in Pakistan-India relations.
Hiccups in Pakistan-USA relations (also here), including Pres. Bush’s visit to India and Pakistan and Gen. Musharraf’s visit to USA.
Frictions in Pakistan-Afghanistan relations, including the re-rise of Taliban.
The killing of Nawab Akbar Bugti (also here) and the continuing unrest and volatility in Balochistan.
Signs of an impending break-up of the Mutihadda Majlis-i-Amal (MMA), including over the resignation issue.
Positive economic trends, including rise of foreign investments in Pakistan (including for high visibility projects like the Centaurus), strength in some service sectors like telecommunication and banking, etc.
Negative economic trends, including rise in cost of living, inflationary pressures, stock-market controversies, etc.
Continuation of sectarianism and sectarian violence, including various attacks during first part of the year.
The passage of the Womens’ Rights Bill (also, here and here) and related events signifying a change in role of women in society (here, here and here).
Changes being brought into education curriculum and other educational reform, including how other communities and religions are portrayed within historical and other texts.
If you do want to influence the results, please, by all means ask your friends to also vote. Feel welcome to use the ‘Email’ button at the very top to send to your friends.
Voting is anonymous; as it should be. This is, of course, not be a very scientific poll, but it will at least give us a sense of what this community � the ATP cohort � thinks. Do vote, but please vote only once (even if you are smart enough to beat the system somehow).
Given the discussion above, the following news, from Daily Times today, seems relevant by way of update:
[quote comment="20473"][quote post="484"] Pakistan is on its way to become another Turkey, if Musharraf has his way.[/quote]
If only we were so lucky!!!
I agree more with what Azmat Ullah said that it may be the year of the return of BB.[/quote]
Funny, but I do hope that the next year brings about a revival of mainstream political parties.
BTW, is your name real…or is it a play on Adil Najam… :)
[quote post="484"] Pakistan is on its way to become another Turkey, if Musharraf has his way.[/quote]
If only we were so lucky!!!
I agree more with what Azmat Ullah said that it may be the year of the return of BB.
I would vote for the change in curriculum; the rest are just fleeting issues the likes of which happen all the time in Pakistan’s checkered history. Not that a change in curriculum in something unusual for us; but it has a longer life cycle than the other factors on the list.
This wardi business is, of course, the story of 2007. The odd thing is that nothing in 2006 gives us a clear sense of where it is going. Seems like it is sure that the wardi is NOT coming off. But is there a compromise about to happen, maybe with BB’s and PPP’s return and some losening of Musharraf’s control.
I not know, but my guess is that he is in no mood to give up any control. Whether thee is a deal with PPP or not.
[quote post="484"]Musharraf WILL remove his uniform and BB will return[/quote]
None of them will happen. Specially the uniform thingie.
I think the most important event of 2006 will happen in 2007.
Musharraf WILL remove his uniform and BB will return.
2007 will be the defining year.
Adnan,
I appreciate your advice. Yes, I completely agree with you that curriculum has had little to no impact, and I do firmly believe that. I myself can hardly remember things from Islamiat except couple of historical anecdotes. But, the reason I wrote about curriculum change was not because its actual effects but because of what it means symbolically. The curriculum has been drastically changed and you’ve heard merely a peep about it. I’m afraid what else will be done. I stated earlier that it’s just a beginning but the lack of worry from people on the underlying principle (not the actual change) is what is troublesome. Exactly as you said, Pakistan is on its way to become another Turkey, if Musharraf has his way. So, I’m looking at curriculum change symbolically–what it means rather than what effects it will have!