ATP Poll: Predictions for 2009?

Posted on December 29, 2008
Filed Under >Adil Najam, ATP Poll, Economy & Development, Foreign Relations, Law & Justice, People, Politics, Religion, Society, Sports
15 Comments
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Adil Najam

Our ATP Poll on ‘What events from 2008 will define Pakistan in 2009?’ continues. However, as promised, we bring you a second companion ATP Poll which asks a related but different question: What do you think might be the big news coming out of Pakistan in 2009? (You can mark multiple choices).

If you have not voted on our original Year in Review Poll yet, please do vote here.

This is a blog poll – and its should be taken no more seriously than that. Our purpose is to facilitate discussion and reflection; there is very little about it that is scientific. We have come up with a list of 15 possible news stories that could become big in 2009. Some of these, if they were to transpire, would be desirable developments; some clearly not. These may not be the most ‘likely’ stories of 2009. They are merely our list of some interesting possibilities in multiple domains. The list is, by definition, subjective. One hopes it is also reflective and will lead to reflection by our readers. We have no doubt that there will be other stories that could and will become big in 2009. Fell welcome to discuss those in the comments section.

Our ATP Poll list of 15, in no particular order, includes the following:

15 responses to “ATP Poll: Predictions for 2009?”

  1. Riaz Haq says:

    In the absence of any visionary and pro-active political leadership in the nation, Pakistan will continue to be heavily influence by external factors and events. The change in Washington and potential change in Delhi in 2009 will likely have a far greater impact on Pakistan than anything Pakistani leaders say or do.

    I am hopeful that people of Pakistan, especially the entrepreneurial and the professional classes, will continue to do their best to help extend the positive legacies of Musharraf-Aziz years. Without going into the specific accomplishments in Pakistan during Musharraf-Aziz regime, I believe it can be safely said that the communications revolution (accompanied by dramatic growth in vociferous electronic and new media) as well as a significant enlargement of the middle class in Pakistan helped sow the seeds of the end of arbitrary actions by President Musharraf. In other words, Musharraf pulled a Gorbachev ( a la perestroika that unleashed uncontrolled energies) by enabling powerful resistance to arbitrary rule. Some of these changes are durable and I hope will make our rulers more accountable. There will still be abuse of power but the sunlight will shine brightly on it to the detriment of the abusers. Eventually there will be real participatory democracy to serve the common Pakistani with appropriate checks and balance imposed by a much larger and more powerful and aware middle class essential for true democratic governance in Pakistan.

  2. DuFFeR says:

    Another Elections :D

  3. Saleem says:

    A major twist , change and major review in Internal & Foriegn Policy is required, with positive approach of implementation.
    We need to strive and bank on our own natural reserves more.
    Access to Free education, free health , provision of basic amneties a must.

  4. ASAD says:

    Very interesting poll indeed

    But I look at the current results on this and the current results on your other poll and see a disturbing trend. The things that people think are most important in the first poll (extremism, talibanization and drone attacks from US) are also some of the things that people think are least likely to change from this poll!
    probably this is true, but it is sad.

  5. adeel says:

    @Nihari
    “the more things change

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