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.
I am 1000% convinced that the only chance for Pakistan to progress peacefully is if, before anything else, the necessary institutions are put in place and are empowered. Specifically I am focusing, at a minimum, on an Independent judiciary, a free print/electronic media, and an empowered Parliament working under an agreed upon constitution.
At the outset, there does not seem to be any particular party promising all these; then again, there may be more then one fully agreeable to what I am looking for. Frankly, I do not much care which specific party one votes for. I am not based in Pakistan, but if I was then I would vote and do so for the candidates who, while committed to the above goals, would be effective in addressing the local/regional issues. This would mean that, even though I disagree vehemently with their politics, I would most likely be voting MQM, based simply on my perception of their ability to help the local communities, and their emphasis on an egalitarian society for Pakistan.
I also believe that as many political parties, value systems, view points that can be voted to the national and provincial assemblies, the better it would be for the future of the nation. Thus, liberals, concervatives, nationalists, religious parties, women, minorities, all deserve to be represented because they all exist and mean something to some segment of our society.
Pakistan is a long way off from becoming a strong, well amalgamated – and properly delineated – two or three party system; that will take decades to happen. But, at least, it can if autonomous, empowered, institutions are put in place and allowed to play their role.
In the meantime if it functions under successive governments of national consensus, that is not a bad idea for the next 20-25 years.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf
Just because Imran Khan has proved himself to be a man of principles, admitted his mistakes and never afraid of speaking the uncomfortable truth.
Pakistan Peoples Party.
Although not the perfect political party by an stretch of the imagination, the PPP has always supported increased women’s rights, called for legislation to protect religious minorities, and since its inception has always made a longstanding commitment to a progressive democratic Pakistan. At a time when Pakistan’s very existence is threatened by religious fanatics, the PPP’s progressive bent is all the more appealing to me.
Imran Khan
If we go through a process of elimination then there’s only one candidate that is truly fit to be the Pakistan’s next PM. Imran Khan is a man of principles and I’ve supported him since the time he started raising funds for the cancer hospital.
I think he should have contested this elections. I will vote him, if not in this election, then inshallah, definitely in the next election.
MQM
I don’t have much choice being a Karachiite. In a time when elections’re being contested on ethnic lines, I’m putting aside my differences with them for the time being. I don’t see much representation of Urdu speaking population in other parties. Regional parties (though they may claim they’re national) are in a better position to negotiate in a coalition for their constituencies. MQM has been doing that since past 10 years or so (They’ve been into every govt., well.. they start with being in one). Look at how communist and other regional parties in India have influenced Congress’ decisions.
Please don’t think of me being ethnically motivated, I’m being practical. No point in fighting the local cosa nostra.