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.
Democracy is only a word used to win votes thats merely it. I dont care what Musharraf did. One thing he didnt do is make vast majority of poor people starve. I see more beggers on streets then at the time of Musharraf era. I really dont care about politician of what they do, as long as my pakistani people dont starve I support them.
We are talking of Democracy,we had democracy by politicians and then rule by Generals,No difference.In the time from 1947 total confusion.All the people thought of their own selves.So system should have check and balance system so to minimise wrongs.In this world people of this world tried to indulge the angels in wrongs.Pakistanis should adhered to the idiology on which pakistan demanded.Insha Allah every thing will become correct.
Democratic governance for its very nature is slow and sometime chaotic, so as a nation, we need to learn to be patient (and avoid watching GEO as a plague.)
Pakistan’s Democratic leaders, zindabad!
what are narrow minds forget is that…
pervasive military rule is one of our MANY problems…however, democracy is our one and ONLY solution to all of our problems.
Musharraf’s mistakes span over eight years. Regardless of who replaced him, to expect any change in two months is irrelevant and unrealistic. Besides, any change will happen when the people of Pakistan develop a genuine desire for it within themselves.