Adil Najam
Our second blog poll seems to have thrown up some interesting, but also confusing, results.
Depending on how you cut the pie, you can make the argument that:
(a) a clear majority of ATP readers want Gen. Musharraf to give up both or one of his twin offices (Army Chief and President) before the 2007 elections,
and at the same time
(b) a clear (but differently configured) majority wants him to play some role – although a more constrained role – in Pakistan’s politics.
(Click image for larger picture)
A total of 114 ATP visitors cast their votes in the poll which was launched very early on Friday and closed very late on Monday. While this is obviously NOT a scientific survey, the results are rather intriguing, even if not representative.
The ATP Poll gave readers five options in response to the question:
The option that got the most votes (41 votes; 36%) calls on Gen. Musharraf to retire at the end of 2006 and fully hand over both offices to his successors. While this was not an absolute majority, it is well over a third of all the votes cast in the poll. By comparison, only 19 of the 114 respondents (16.7%) preferred the option of Gen. Musharraf continuing in both offices simultaneously.
Just over a quarter of the ATP respondents (30 votes; 26.3%) want Gen. Musharraf to continue in only one of the two offices. There seems relatively little enthusiasm for passing the decision on whetehr he shoudl keep both offices or not to the next Assembly (15 votes, 13.2%) or of holding a national referendum (9 votes, 7.9%).
Of course, this is simply a ‘pulse of the blog’ poll and is NOT a scientific or representative survey. However, the results are interesting nonetheless; at least to the extent that they say something about the cohort that is likely to visit a blog such as ATP and vote in such a poll (i.e., educated, mobile, technically savvy, and globally connected Pakistanis).
While one must caution against over-analyzing these results, at least three points are worth noting; if only to nudge a discussion:
- Given that the technocratic classes tend to support (and be highly represented in) military governments in Pakistan including this one, it is noteworthy that ATP’s (technocratic?) readership chose the ‘retirement option’ (36%) for Gen. Musharraf as often as it did.
- There seems to be a sense that Gen. Musharraf should NOT continue with twin-offices into the future. Only one-sixth of the respondents (16.7%) chose this option. While those who opted for a referendum option or having the next Assembly decide (total 21.2%) may be seen as sitting on the fence on this question, those calling for his retiring from at least one office (and possibly both) were in a clear majority (total 62.3%).
- Not withstanding the above, and in fairness, it should also be noted that a majority of the respondents do, in fact, see (want?) some continued role for Gen. Musharraf — if not in both offices, then in at least one. This finding does not contradict the earlier finding; it only adds nuance (and possibly confusion).
So, where does all of this leave us? Maybe I was onto something when I had responded to a questioner in Washington DC by suggesting that public opinion amongst Pakistanis remains divided and uncertain on the future of Gen. Musharraf.
Maybe what these numbers suggest is that those responding to our poll see a continued role for Gen. Musharraf in Pakistan politics; but they would like to see him having less of a role than he has had in the past (also see earlier ATP post on democracy in Pakistan).
What do you think?
he must leave both posts and face eligations against him.he is a DAJJAL killing innocent people for his lust.u will see his end more terrible than zia haq.he will never ever bring elections against his will,as for i know our army is also hate him,he is such a odd creacher no body in pakistan like him but few who r getting wealth from him.he is living curse upon us.there is a hadith(jaisay log mulk m rahtay hain ALLAH unper unhi ki tarha huklmaraan bhejta hay}hum hi bhatkay huay hain
Bhai, you say “Pakistan has achieved respect in world”.
Really?
Not in the world I live in.
Every time someone sees a Pakistani passport they pull you out of the line to show you ‘special respect’.
Musharraf is the only leader who declared his full assets when he came to lead.
1- GWADAR is an achievement of Musharraf era. Gawadar is the future of PAK.
2- Musharraf completed Mirani Dam (Baluchistan); and Gomal Zam Dam (Aug 2007) and Subakzai Dam (Sep 2007).
3- Musharraf progressed work and completed Ghazi Brotha project (2003) which gives 1450MW.
4- Musharraf completed M1 (ISB-PSH Motorway) and M3 (Pindi to fasialabad motorway) and M8 and M10 are under construction with 60% work complete.
5- There are above 24 Skyscrapers under construction in PAK currently.
6- Dozens Underpasses and flyovers have been completed in his era.
7- Makran Coastal Highway has been completed in his Era.
8- Kohat tunnel & Halo Morro & N5 Highway have all been completed under this government.
9- Our Foreign reserves are above $15 billion (which reflects the confidence of Public)
10- Our GDP growth is 7% (like china & india)
11- Governance has been clear and transparent. Whatever allegations against them have NOT been proved in Court. Only re-assessment requested by Supreme court.
12- PAK has achieved respect in world.
13- Our constrcution activites are 30 year high.
14- Our large scale manufacturinf are 18 year high.
There are many many positive things…. which should not be over-looked.
Democracy is not just a desire…if its unpractical it should be left alone….PAK should move ahead!
I ask the Opposition:
1-How many power projects they initiated and COMPLETED in their tenures? (Only one Chashma of 150 MW)???
2-How many Motorways & Highways did they complete in their tenures? (only one in Nawaz era Lhr-Isb motorway)
3- How many Dams did they make in their era? (NOne)
4- In the 12 years of Benazir & Nawaz (1988-1999) our Foreign Debt rose from $18 billion to $37 billion. And they were borrowing on 18% terms.
5- We were giving 65% of our GDP in Debt Servicing.
6- The country was failing and Nawaz was making RAIWIND state for himself!
7-Benazir was buying ROCKWOOD STATE for herself.
8-Benazir has TWO TWIN TOWERS in Dubai on Sheikh Zayed Road.
9- Imran Khan was enjoying with his girl friends and producing illegitimate kids!
10- Mullah were fighting wars for USA in afghaistan
11- What infrastructure work did they do in their tenures??
Any achievements other than the KHI airport and M2 motorway?????
Musharraf is the best thing that has happened to Pakistan. Had it not been for him PAK would have long been declared a failed state. All those crying for democracy are in a confused state of mind or influenced by the propoganda generated by Media & those same CORRUPT politicians that looted the country and fled o UK, Saudia or Dubai!
The confusion is as the media does not question the oppsotion on their past tenures; rather they are invited to criticize their opponents performance. Which is unfair!
PAK is much more stable and strong and sustained. People who are heading towards confusion should read the interviews of Dr. Ishrat Hussein (former governor State Bank) to judge the Economics of PAK before 1999 and now 2007.