58 DARPAN TMJULY / AUGUST 2013Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

Pakistan – a nation that has experienced three military coups, been ruled by generals for half its life and frequent

political drama will mark 2013 as a decisive year in its political history. Three prominent leaders, of 2013, took to the streets of Pakistan propagating their ideas of conviction and change, to a nation stricken by USA drone attacks, Taliban – a fundamental Islamic militia – and political unrest. Yet, the significance of elections amongst the electorate was evident from the fact that the voter turnout excelled by all means. The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) announced that overall voter turnout in the 2013 general elections was recorded at 55.02 per cent. This was despite Taliban threats of suicide bombings, sabotaging polling booths and causing turbulence on election day.

The 2013 nationwide vote marks the first time a civilian government transferred power to an elected

PakistanPakistan2013 GENERAL ELECTIONSA POST-MORTEM

successor after completing a full five-year term in Pakistan.

Micheal Kugelman, a senior program associate for South and Southeast Asia, at Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars says that given the recent historic transfer of political power, there is much more to be hopeful about in Pakistan. “This is just the start of a series of transitions this year – within the next few months, Pakistan will have a new Supreme Court chief justice, a new army chief and in all likelihood, a new president,” adds Kugelman.

AS THE PAKISTAN ELECTORATE PARTICIPATED IN THE CRUCIAL 2013 GENERAL ELECTION, NATIONS AROUND THE GLOBE NOT ONLY

OBSERVED, BUT WERE GREATLY INTERESTED IN THIS NATION’S FIRST DEMOCRATIC TRANSITION OF POWER IN ITS 66-YEAR HISTORY.

BY GARIMA GOSWAMI

59DARPAN TM JULY / AUGUST 2013Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

The significance of elections amongst the electorate was evident from the fact that the voter turnout excelled by all means. The Election

Commission of Pakistan (ECP) announced that

overall voter turnout in the 2013 general elections was recorded at 55.02 per cent.

This was despite Taliban threats of suicide bombings,

sabotaging polling booths and causing turbulence on

election day. PakistanPakistan Pakistan and was killed in 2007 by a suicide bomber, just before the last general election.

HISTORY IN THE MAKING – MAY 11, 2013Scores of individuals across Pakistan queued to exercise their right to vote on May 11, 2013, despite threats of attacks by the Taliban. Prior to election day, Taliban had

said they would carry out attacks, including suicide bombings, as it considers the polls part of an “infidel system” of democracy. Through press releases and interviews, the Taliban warned Pakistanis particularly women to abstain from voting on the election day.

The Pakistani militant commanders said they consider the concept of democratic exercise of voting to be anti-Islamic. “We do not accept the system of infidels which is called democracy,” said Hakimullah Mehsud, the head of the Pakistani Taliban, in a letter dated May 1.

In light of the ongoing suicide bombings, threats and attacks, Pakistan deployed tens of thousands of security personnel to maintain law and order during the polls. From April until the time of election, the Taliban killed more than 100 people, including candidates, at election rallies and related events. An important episode in this regard was the kidnapping of Ali Haider Gilani, who is the son of former Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani. Ali Haider’s secretary and guard were shot dead in the attack and he was abducted at gunpoint. Investigations are ongoing and he remains missing at the time of publication.

However, the Taliban did not attack the ruling PML(N) party of Pakistan during their election campaign, in which Sharif had suggested negotiations with the Taliban.

KEY PARTIES THAT RAN IN THE ELECTION

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf – PTI: The PTI party leader Imran Khan was the most popular amongst other candidates and widely speculated to win the election. This cricket-luminary-turned politician promised to put

the country on a fast-track development in 100 days and curb corruption in 90 days but failed to gather the desired nationwide role, post the 2013 general elections. Nevertheless, PTI holds the chief position of the opposi-tion party of Pakistan. Kugelman says, “Im-ran Khan enjoys a high level of popularity in Pakistan, but popularity won’t necessarily get you elected in Pakistan-patronage. Khan and his PTI party reject the patronage, which has served Pakistan’s two largest and most estab-lished parties – the PML(N) and PPP – very well in recent decades.”

Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) – PML(N): Ousted in a 1999

military coup, jailed and exiled; steel magnate Nawaz Sharif made a triumphant comeback in the 2013 elections and now heads

his third term as Pakistan’s Prime Minister. His party, the PML(N) was the main rival of Pakistan’s People’s Party (PPP) to form the next government. After holding office as the 18th Prime Minister of Pakistan, Sharif promised a clean, efficient and corruption free government for Pakistan.

Pakistan People’s Party - PPP: Bilawal Zardari, son of Asif Ali Zardari, former president of Pakistan, was announced PPP’s candidate for the next

prime minister despite being younger than the prescribed age limit to contest in elec-tions. The Pakistan constitution underlines a candidate has to be at least 25 years of age in order to run for the Prime Minister’s post, and Bilawal will not attain that age until Sep-tember. However, in early May it was revealed that Bilawal had left Pakistan and was not present on the election day. The party alluded to a “threat to his life” as reason behind the move. Senior PPP leader Taj Haider spoke to media in May and said, “We have already lost Benazir Bhutto and will not risk losing Bilawal.” Bhutto served as Prime Minister of

60 DARPAN TMJULY / AUGUST 2013Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

NAWAZ SHARIF – UNDER THE LENS

In 1999, General Pervez Musharraf toppled Sharif from his position of Prime Minister in a bloodless military coup, accusing Sharif of trying to assassinate him. However, Sharif was later convicted of plane hijacking/terrorism and sentenced to life imprisonment, although due to an intercession of Saudi King Fahd, he was allowed to go into voluntary exile. In 2009, the Supreme Court of Pakistan cleared Sharif of hijacking charges, and paved way for him to legally run for office.

Despite his past history, Sharif campaigned long and hard and as a result, his name will forever be synonymous with the historic election battle of 2013, which led to him being elected as Prime Minister. As he came to power, Sharif made an announcement forgiving all those who had abused him and his family during the election campaign and said his party would go to any extent to make Pakistan a real progressive Islamic welfare state.

High Commissioner of Pakistan to Canada, Mian Gul Akbar Zeb spoke about the victory of PML(N) saying the votes “expressed confidence

in the PML(N)’s agenda and programme, both internal and external to place Pakistan firmly on a path of reforms and overall progress.”

WHAT TO EXPECT OF US-PAKISTAN TIES?Being center stage in the Pakistan politics, Sharif confronts major challenges. In fact it was these challenges that Sharif addressed with much conviction in his election manifesto that the Pakistan electorate confided in him over other candidates. In his first Prime Ministerial speech to parliament, Sharif pledged to tackle plaguing concerns such as corruption, a crippled economy, unemployment and power cuts across Pakistan. He briefly touched base in terms of the ongoing rift concerning the United States drone strikes. “These drone strikes that rain in every day have to stop,” said Sharif.

“We respect the sovereignty of others and they should respect our sovereignty and independence. This must come to an end.” His first interjection as Prime Minister not only made headlines in the US, but around the world portraying a sturdy leader, who will take stand on issues pertaining to his nation. “We must learn others’ [American] concerns about us, and express our concerns about them, and find a way to resolve this issue.” Opposition party PTI reiterated Sharif ’s stand here, and Javed Hashmi of PTI said PML(N) will have their support if it makes serious plans to restore Pakistan’s sovereignty and halt the drone attacks.

But the question again comes down to what can we expect from US-Pak ties? Kugelman throws light on this and explains that US-Pak ties will not be significantly affected, for the better or for the worse, by Sharif coming to power. “Pakistan’s foreign relations and especially with key players like Washington, continue to be controlled by the Pakistan military. For this reason, there’s another power transition that will have much more impact on US-Pak relations,” and this will be observed later this year, when Pakistan’s army chief is replaced.

For ties with the rest of the Western world, Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Canada, tells me the new government has drawn up a comprehensive foreign policy agenda aimed at enhancing Pakistan’s prestige abroad, which can “be basically brought about by strengthening the domestic agenda.” Zeb says, “The effort at the international level would not only be to

Michael Kugelman, Senior Program Associate for South and Southeast Asia at Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in the United States.

High Commissioner of Pakistan to Canada Mr. Mian Gul Akbar Zeb

SPECIAL FEATURE

62 DARPAN TMJULY / AUGUST 2013Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

augment political relations but also economic and commercial ties and establish true partnerships abroad based on mutual respect.”

WHAT TO EXPECT OF INDIA-PAKISTAN TIES? In terms of foreign ties, Sharif ’s policies with India would also be taking a major turn considering the recent tensions between the two bordering nations. This year, the two nations witnessed murder of two inmates in the foreign jails of India and Pakistan. But that is only a fragment of the long history of rift between these two nations. “There is no doubt that Sharif wants to improve relations with India,” says Kugelman. “It’s very likely he’ll push forward to normalize trade with Delhi.” But the political expert says Sharif could run into trouble if he tries to normalize in ways beyond trade. “Firstly, the military has given no indication that it’s ready for rapprochement…Secondly, India’s government will likely resist diplomatic normalization until Sharif ’s government does more about the anti-India extremist groups that live and operate in many parts of Punjab province – the main bastion of power for Sharif ’s PML(N) party.”

Currently PM Sharif is holding the defence portfolio with him. In terms of defence, the move is understandable considering his previous encounter with the army. Kugelman elaborates on this saying, “By taking on these portfolios himself, Sharif minimizes the prospect for civil-military tensions, and ensures that the government has a unified position on foreign affairs security matters. This will make the job of seeking agreement with the military much easier.” However, on the flip side, Kugelman delineates another unnoticed angle. “One should argue that by holding so many portfolios historically controlled by the army, Sharif is also increasing

Our diaspora in Canada has close linkages with the country

of its origin. It also plays a significant role in Pakistan’s

economic development and has over the years contributed

enormously to humanitarian and charitable causes there.

They would like to see a stable and progressive Pakistan and I can tell you that they are not disappointed with the election results.” - Mian Gul Akbar Zeb

8247 130 St,

To nominate a community gem, visit www.darpanmagazine.com

DARPAN’S EXTRAORDINARY ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS 2013

20132013

Special Thanks to our Valued Sponsors

visit www.darpanmagazine.com

Do You HAve what it Takes to be

DARPAN’S NEXTWinner?

NominationsAre Now Open!

BALRAJ MANN GROUP

GROUP

SURREY

63DARPAN TM JULY / AUGUST 2013Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle

the possibility for tensions, especially because of the volatile history Sharif has had with the military.”

WHAT’S IN IT FOR CANADA?The entire globe closely observed this momentous election in the history of Pakistan. For individuals of Pakistani origin in Canada, what does Sharif ’s win translate into? Zeb answers this with much confidence saying “Our diaspora in Canada has close linkages with the country of its origin. It also plays a significant role in Pakistan’s economic development and has over the years contributed enormously to humanitarian and charitable causes there. They would like to see a stable and progressive Pakistan and I can tell you that they are not disappointed with the election results.”

The Pakistan High Commissioner to Canada tells me that Pakistan has a special relationship with Canada and it is a long standing and traditional relationship that has grown “from strength to strength.” Zeb lauds the Pak-Canada ties saying Canada has always stood “by us and has done much to promote stability and economic well-being in Pakistan. Our recent election and the coming into power of the new government auger extremely well for strengthening Pakistan-Canada ties, especially on account of the smooth democratic transition and the promise of a better future that the present government brings.”

CONCLUSIONPakistan is currently at the top of political analysts’ watch list, who are deeply observing changing trends in its political landscape, and it will even be more scrutinized as it progresses to incorporate policies and leaders ahead. A significant change would surely have to be the role of Pakistan’s military, particularly on how Pakistanis now perceive it. “Since Osama Bin Laden was discovered in the city of Abbottabad, not far from a military facility – the military has lost it veneer of invincibility. This has convinced many, though not all Pakistanis that it would be a terrible idea to have military back in power,” states Kugelman.

Perhaps these transforming drifts in Pakistan are signs of a mature and informed electorate, who realizes the importance and power of his/her right to vote in a democratic society, especially considering the previous unrest caused by extremists groups and recent US drone strikes. Kugelman sums it best delineating the future prospects of politics saying, “When key institutions are led by new people, we should have a somewhat better idea of Pakistan’s future trajectory.”

SPECIAL FEATURE

PH: 604.583.5338 | FAX: 604.634.5000303-A 9014 152ND ST. (NEAR SAVE-ON FOODS)

SURREY, BC V3R 4E7

MALLI OPTICAL

LICENSED OPTICIAN & CONTACT LENS FITTER, FAST & PROFESSIONAL SERVICE

• RX LENSES • SUNGLASSES • DESIGNER FRAMES • CONTACT LENSES

Getting Married ?

“Extraordinary Transformation Possibilities”

PH

OTO

: MIC

HAE

L KU

GELM

AN, H

IGH

CO

MM

ISSI

ON

PAK

ISTA

N (O

TTAW

A), M

ETRO

UK