Adil Najam
Even though much of the U.S. and world media seems to have already decided who will win the 2008 U.S. Presidential election, the fact remains that the elections are determined by votes, not by polls.
Much can happen between now and Tuesday. Including the (re-)discovery that the opinion polling is not an exact science. I doubt if that will be the case, but part of me is now fed-up with the over-polling in this election.
That means that maybe we should do an ATP poll of our own :-)
As has been evidenced in other posts of this blog there are Pakistanis who strongly feel that a President Barack Obama will be be more dangerous for Pakistan than a President John McCain. 
There are also many who think the exact opposite. And as the question in the poll suggest there may also be those who feel that no matter who wins things will get worse or, maybe, will become better for Pakistan.
Without losing sight of the fact that Americans will, and should, elect the President they think is best for America, not for Pakistan – and not withstanding my own expressed view that Pakistani-Americans will also be voting this time on their own domestic policy concerns and not on Pakistan’s foreign policy preferences – one does wonder how a new administrtaion in Washington (now that there is already a new administration in Islamabad) might impact Pakistan.
So, please do tell us what you think. And why.
Many have answered the question with questions of what the USA under Obama Presidency will do for Pakistan. Others are fearful of Obama & Democrats and some others actually think that America wants to take over Pakistan. Yet, others are seeing the bigger picture….how democracy can work when citizens unite.
I have never been concerned with what another country’s incoming president could do for my country. If we were friends, I would hope that if my country was being attacked or in trouble that they would help. My only concerns are that he/she is a person of “good character” and naturally I would expect them to have their own country’s best interest at heart but still I would expect loyalty. I wouldn’t expect them to do something for nothing. One hand washes the other. The USA is forthcoming with AID and help to those who prove themselves to be friends and ask for their help. America does not go anywhere unless asked or if world peace is threatened.
Why should any country receive money or AID from the USA if they say one thing yet do another ? ie. A friend does not do that. Are you going to help capture these world terrorists hiding out in your country or are you going to continue to allow them to house terrorist training camps & give them safe passage through Pakistan? Obama did not say he would bomb Pakistan but he expects the President to do his job by capturing & stopping these terrorists in Pakistan or the US will as they pose a real threat to World Peace and especially to Pakistan. Don’t we all want the same thing?
America has no interest in “taking” Pakistan. The days of conquering and capturing are long gone. America has viewed Pakistan as an ally deserving of AID and help. The Pakistani people are good but live under a primitive and highly corrupt government. America can tell Pakistan how to govern, create and enforce laws, the importance of education, healthcare and equal rights but ultimately they have to do it for themselves. Don’t forget, Pakistan has only existed for 61 years?! America wasn’t built in a day. Hopefully though Pakistan can learn quicker by US example.
How do we have democracy in Pakistan and stop the corruption and violence when people are so fearful (and rightfully so) to speak out? Benazir Bhutto…a threat to those who don’t want the Pakistani people to have any control, look what the evil and corruption in Pakistan did to her! Does Pakistan need to have a civil war in order to make changes? Possibly. But, thus far the people have not united or done enough to take control of their country, are they capable of uniting enough to even engage in a civil war? You simply cannot sit back and expect things to change for the better.
A partical excerpt from Obama’s counter-terrorism plan:
@ Sheesha-i-Shabnum & Amir Ali—FYI i’m a Pakistani and am living in Pakistan that too in a small town. I’ve never been to USA. Yes we are first class citizen of Pakistan suffering all these miseries, yes we are Pakistani who r killing other Pakistani on the name of religion some time in name of Shia, some time Qadiani some time taliban and some time something else. They make you naked on JFK or Hethro but they don’t burry their women alive, they don’t put their women in front of dogs.
These corrupt politians are also created by your beloved generals AYUB, YAHYIA, ZIA & Mushraf. they never let the desrving people to come forward.
As far as a Hindu chief justice is concerned what’s wrong with it and honestly speaking I can trust a Hindu Judge more than our Muslims Judges like abdul Qayum and others .
These general make us fool some time in name of water treaty with india, some time in name of Fake Jihad in Afghanistan and some times in name of enlighten moderation.
Pakistan had its Elections in February 2008. Change resulted. But subsequently squandered.
You are invited to go to the Archives of ATP, Under Deeda-i-Beena read the Post Dated 28 February 2008: “PAKISTAN ELECTIONS 2008: Awam Express Has Arrived.”
Do we find any similarities in the two elections taking place in 2008, and the power of the people?
Agreed with Junaid Khan’s perception.
I kind of disagree with the notion of debating over who is better for Pakistan? Obama’s camp or McCain’s or in other words Democrats or Republicans?
I truly believe that an enlightened, moderate and patriotic Pakistani is better than both. So let’s work to acquire these qualities amongst us and our fellow men and women.
Long live Pakistan.