Adil Najam
Back on August 18, 2008 – right before Gen. Pervez Musharraf announced his resignation – we conducted an ATP Poll asking our readers what Pakistan would look like after Musharraf. Now, two months after the event, it seems like a good time to repeat the question. So, here is our new ATP Poll. Do tell us what you think? We have tried to match the wording of the questions to those asked last time so that one can have better comparison.
The results of our previous poll on the subject, were interesting, but not surprising.
Partisans on each side dominated the discussion, and the numbers (these are respresentative of no greater truth than the readership of this blog and the passions of those on any side). Around a third of the respondents (34 percent) felt that things would generally become better; somewhat more (42 percent) felt things would generally get worse; some 22 percent felt that only faces will change and no other real change would materialize.
So, now that we have two months under our belt, what can we say? Or, and maybe, it is still too early to say anything? If so, we can always do this again in a few months and see how and if opinions change.
Departure of Gen (retd) Musharraf has led to substantial deterioration of law & order in the country. His resignation has created many problems to a common man. He was a competent and brave soldier. Furthermore, he proved his worth as a seasoned politician before the whole world. He coped with national requirements in many spheres of life. We are missing him a lot when we look into the present state of affairs. The fact remains that evidences of decline due to Musharraf’s departure were evident from many angles but if somebody turns deaf ear to all that, what can be done? Let us pray to ALMIGHTY ALLAH for the best. General sb, we love you as a former head of state, and pray for your good health.