the quality is not that great, but you can tell whats going on, there are several other videos over the internet along with people sharing their persona experiences on elections day in online blogs. on the 26th of feb, ppp is taking mqm to court to the sindh high court for rigging these elections. honestly, enough of living in fear from these thugs, they should go and let us karachi people live in peace.

Pakistani political figures have a long tradition of shifting loyalties, so Mr. Tareen and Ms. Rabbani Khar’s actions are certainly not unprecedented. The PML (Q) is essentially an alliance of convenience, cobbled together from various lotas.

Given the PML (Q)’s electoral performance, I’m confident that other MNAs and MPAs from the party will soon be knocking on other’s doors (and will be welcomed with open arms).

Also, I must take exception to your description of Shaukat Aziz as the “banker who ruined Pakistan’s economy”. The economy has very worrying problems which have been exacerbated in recent months. However, it is important not to throw the baby out with the bathwater. The stabilization of Pakistan’s finances post-1999 and subsequent period of economic growth was no easy feat. Yes, international aid and debt forgiveness post 9/11 helped the process. Yes, inflation has been a serious problem, and the current food and power shortages highlight poor planning and execution.

But it is important to recognize the positives – growth of entrepreneurship, deregulation and growth of the banking sector, significant increase in foreign investment, dramatic rise in stock market wealth, among others.

After all the political rhetoric settles, it is very likely that the next government’s economic policies will not be dramatically different. With the benefit of some hindsight, we can anticipate increased infrastructure investment.