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.
Definiely PML-Q… and if we do have a choice for people who are not contesting elections (like Ahtezaz Ahsan and Imran Khan) then Shaukat Aziz or Mustafa Kamal (MQM) for that matter.
I personally prefer the above mentioned individuals/parties because:
– They have a record of bringing about economic and infrastructural development.
– These individuals can conduct themselves professionally and don’t tend to get over emotional or try and instigate emotional reactions from the public.
– Many of the prominent faces from PML-Q are articulate and can express themselves well not only in Urdu but also in English. This of course excludes the chaudries… :)
– And the biggest plus is that they support Musharraf who has done an outstanding job of development and managing the country well in crisis after crisis.
On a different note I also like Ahtezaz Ahsan (even though I disagree with him on many issues) and other PPP members aren’t bad either but the party needs non-feudal democratically elected leadership before I vote for them.
Thanks.
Thanks.
Aitezaz Ahsan!
Hands down
With or without PPP
because I know he would leave PPP, if they dont get their act together.
This is a good exercise. I have some reservations about the available choices but here are some comments.
My first choice: PTI/Imran Khan.
Reasons: Imran Khan stands up for his principles and has even spurned an opportunity to become PM because he would not compromise on principles. He has been raising the issue of an independent judiciary for quite a while now. He talks about social justice and land reforms which none of the major parties do. Without even being in power, he has built an impressive cancer hospital and has done some development work within his own constituency. This is in sharp contrast to other alternatives who have been in power and have still not done much for the people.
Reservations: Imran Khan needs to work hard on organizing his political party before it can have any realistic chance of becoming a major player. He also needs to distance himself from the likes of JI.
If PTI is taken out of the picture, then I would consider PML-N, provided it promises not to revive the project of making NS amirul momineen again.
Reasons for prefering PML-N: it is a center-right party, which means that it has a better chance of taking the right wing segments of society along in the war on extremism. It has competent people like Sartaj Aziz and Ahsan Iqbal in its economic team and has demonstrated its serious interest in the economy in the past through various infrastructure projects. In the present crisis, PML-N has taken a clear position for the restoration of the pre-Nov 3 judiciary.
Reservations: here, one would be hoping that PML-N would not repeat its past mistakes, especially the assaults on the media and judiciary.
PS: I must add that I like Aitezaz Ahsan. If he were the PM candidate for PPP and if the party were willing to get a team of competent people for managing the national economy (like PML-N has Sartaj or Ahsan Iqbal), then I would seriously consider voting for PPP. While PML-N has the advantage of being slightly right wing, which could help in taking people on board in the war on extremism, PPP has the advantage of its strong presence in Sindh, which could be helpful in strengthening the federation. However, I am making this comment only as a PS because I am not very hopeful on the chances of Aitezaz becoming the PM candidate for the party.
My preferance will be,
1- Atizaz Ahsan (without PPP)
2- Imran Khan
…for the reasons stated very exhaustively in the previous comments supporting these two gentlemen.
Aiztzaz Ahsan and therefore PPP. He gave the most hope during the most trying times in 2007. Looking beyond nailing PMLQ, winning elections, and having your own ministeries, it is very important for me to have someone who understands Jinnah’s vision and can adhere to it the best. I know it sounds like a cliche when one talks about Jinnah’s vision but that is what Pakistan needs and that is what will save Pakistan.