Adil Najam
We want to do a blogging experiment (which requires us to put all comments under moderation) and really let our readers write this post on Pakistan’s Elections 2008. What we are doing is not unique, but there is a twist to how we wan to do it.
First, here is the question we want you to answer for us:
Please tell us which political leader or party you support, or you think should be supported, in Pakistan’s elections 2008 and why?
Now, here are the rules – and we will implement these rules strictly, so please do read them carefully. All comments that meet these criteria will be published. Comments that do not meet these criteria will not.
Rule #1: It is not enough to say who you think should be supported, you need to tell us WHY you think they should be supported. In fact, getting to the WHY is the only real point to the exercise.
Rule #2: We understand the importance of comparison and competition in politics, but you are NOT allowed to say who should NOT be supported (or why they should not be supported). You can only tell us who should be supported and why. You can only tell us who you think is ‘good’ and what is ‘good’ about them. Any mention at all of who you think is ‘bad’ or what is ‘bad’ about others will disqualify the comment.
Rule #3. Please do not try to be too “clever.” We are sure you are all very bright and we also know that you are passionate about your preferences. All of that is very good. However, in our moderation we will err on the side of caution and delete any attempt at all to circumvent Rule #2. So, please read your comment carefully before submission to make sure that it cannot be inadvertently understood as an attempt to get around Rule #2.
Rule #4. This brings us to our last and final rule. All comments on this post are placed automatically in moderation and will appear only after a system moderator approves them as having met the rules laid out here. Over the next couple of days we will try to look at the moderation queue as often as we can to reduce the time that comments stay in moderation. However, do please expect some delays between your posting a comment and its appearing here. Also, if you feel that your comment has been moderated, you are welcome to repost the comment this time wording it in a way that meets all these rules, especially Rule #2. While commenters are welcome to post comments more than once – especially if they are building on someone else’s comment – we will remove multiple comments from the same person if the content is the same or very similar; please, do not try to spam us with such repeated comments.
If you think that your leader or party has not gotten a fair deal from us at ATP or the media or the electorate, here is your opportunity to make a case for them. You can make a case for anyone you want. You just cannot make a case against anyone.
I realize that we do often make choices based primarily on what or who we do not like, rather than who or what we like. There is nothing wrong per se with that, but for our purpose we are taking that option off the table.
Too many of us take too much please, too often, in being cynical. Therefore, I suspect that focusing on our positive energies might turn out to be rather difficult for some of our readers. I sincerely hope that I am wrong.
Nawaz Sharif League
Why this is the only hope that there is a chance that Restoration of the powers of Judiciary ( real will be an issue ) Since bycott is not a real option in this questions than Just by elimination I reach that conclusion. The only real difference the next parliament can make is to be force to restore the Judiciary which can than continue the Hope and change that was apparent between March and Nov . hey and I have not said a word against anyone hence no vi0lation of rule Number 2
I will vote for PPP as I have been its die hard fan since my childhood. This is the only political party which has strong connection with PEOPLE and somehow believes in the empowerment of people.
Though it could not fulfill the aspirations of people but unlike many others PPP does not endorse the coups and military rule. Though I was disillusioned from PPP’s role for last several years at the same time could not align myself with any other political party.
Above all Bhutto’s family unfathomable sacrifices for raising the voices of poor and resisting against religious, military and autocratic establishment are the their political legacies.
I personally feel that our nation is indebted to Bhutto family and the only way to repay their sacrifices is to VOTE for PPP and every vote will echo the message democracy and rejecting dictatorship.
P.S. You have posted a ballot paper which does not have ARROW symbol.
Pakistan Tahreek e Insaf, if they do not boycott the elections. I will support PTI because it is a party that stands for principles.
Imran Khan won me over when he decided not to launch his student wing saying that students were asking for weapons. Remember students politics in Pakistan revolves around violence. Last year during clash between Punjabi Students Association and JTI in Karachi resulted in death of a student and many students got injured. One injured student was dragged from emergency ward and then beaten to death. Each year many violent incidents are reported all over campus in Pakistan.
PTI and Imran’s decision not launch student wing if they require weapons is why I would support him. This small act demonstrate that he is a man of principle and if supported his action will reverberate throughout society and may eventually bring out positive change.
I believe that Imran Khan, and his party, should be supported in the upcoming elections because Mr. Khan has: (1) consistently shown himself to be independent of the influences of big money and power; (2) placed the needs of his country over his own personal gain; (3) not been afraid to tell the uncomfortable truth; (4) stood up to those in power; and (5) admitted his mistakes, learned from them and moved on. These are just some of the reasons why Mr. Khan has my vote and support.
If Aitzaz Ahsan were running, and I had the ability to vote in his constituency, I would vote for him. Frankly, it would be a no-brainer for me. He is smart, well-educated, and recently has proved beyond the shadow of a doubt that he cares deeply about the rule of law and the constitution. I read his Indus Saga book over the summer and was inspired. His dedication line reads something like “To my mother and father, who taught me to worship this land and its people.”
Another main point about Aitzaz is that he is part of the original Pakistan People’s Party (PPP). The party stands for the uplifting of the common man, the farmer in the field doing hours of back-breaking labour in a share-cropping system that can be best described as modern-day slavery, and the kids on the streets who will continue to skip school and hawk papers and flowers and maybe even beg, until the trickle-down effect, well, finally trickles down to them.