In Iran, all candidates for office are scrutinised; there is a pre-selection of candidates by the Guardian Council. The Council ensures that only those candidates that fulfil the requirements of being sufficiently religious and believing in the foundations of the Iranian Republic are allowed to contest. In short, it is exactly what Articles 62 and 63 were intended to do. And yet, there is politics, political parties, elections and disagreements. It is only that all politics is then conducted within that defined parameter. Political parties are radical and status quo, left and right, within these confines.
There was yet another attack on the ANP in Karachi on April 26. Yet again people die, and yet again most of the rest remain silent. The PPP, the ANP and the MQM continue to be under fire. The candidates are being murdered, corner meetings attacked and pamphlets distributed. This is happening while the PML-N and the PTI hold large political rallies and are campaigning in full swing. When the PML-N and the PTI say that the next election is all about Punjab, they are truer than they know. And that is scary.
Peaceful transition, free and fair elections, people’s right to choose, etc are lies. This election is rigged. Almost all elections in Pakistan have been rigged, this is just rigged a bit more. Also, the body count has never been this high. The elections have always been rigged by the state and have always been rigged in one direction. The IJIs and the MMAs had one mandate, to defeat the liberal parties. Now, the TTP has taken over from where they left off. There has been a lethal, horrifying convergence of interest, even if inadvertent, between the state and the non-state actors. The violence of the TTP, the suspicion of the liberal and nationalist by the traditional establishment, the misplaced and somewhat idiotic sense of integrity, even-handedness by the ECP and media means you can say goodbye to a free and fair election already. Choices are being restricted, the political spectrum becoming one-sided, almost like a theocracy but only worse. At this rate, the choices in the Pakistan will soon be the religious right, ultra-right and whack job crazy, murderous religious fanatical right. Some people think that threat of fanaticism is being overstated and nuance is required, etc. They are wrong. The Barbarians are not only inside the gates, they are now driving everyone else out.
At a very basic level, this is one of the most ideologically divided elections in our history. The ideological question of singular importance is whether one is for or against murder in the name of religion, tyranny and female education, etc. Easy question, one would have thought. To emphasise how easy the question should be, let me quote David Sedaris on a US election. “To put them in perspective, I think of being on an airplane. The flight attendant comes down the aisle with her food cart and, eventually, parks it beside my seat. “Can I interest you in the chicken?” she asks. “Or would you prefer the platter of s**t with bits of broken glass in it?” To be undecided in this election is to pause for a moment and then ask how the chicken is cooked.” And it seems it is an easy question in Pakistan, only the answer is dead wrong. We are not having the chicken.
In another way, this is the most non-ideological election in our history. One side of the divide is being made irrelevant and dead. The other side is all the same. It wants a religious welfare state and has no quarrel with the estranged and extremely angry brothers of ours doing all the killing. Courage is now not being particularly afraid when you are under no threat, while having your loved ones and party workers killed does not deserve sympathy since you will play the ‘victim card’. Never mind that you are victims. The Commando is back in town these days, and his remark on Mukhtaran Mai and women getting raped to get visas still has resonance.
The ECP has sought to inject some (dark) humour in the prevailing doom and gloom. The ECP, in its infinite wisdom, has said that seeking of votes on the basis of religion and sect is now an offence. Why start now Sirs. Perhaps, only if attention was paid at the time of registration, even simply to the names of the parties. In any event, the stance of the ASWJ on stem cell research and land reforms shall make for riveting campaign material. Reportedly, dozens of individuals charged with terrorism have received permission to contest and understandably so since the Returning Officers were busy with the opinions of other candidates on the all-important issue of honeymoons and consumption of the good stuff.
The performance of these parties in the ruling coalition of the previous government was less than stellar. And they might have been losing anyway. Yet, we will never know conclusively. If they lose now, they are losing in a fight which is not even close to being fair. Elections should be on time. Elections are all we have got and are unquestionably better than any other alternatives. Freddie Mercury’s “The Show must go on” is all one can think of. And so it must, yet at an agonisingly high cost. “On with the Show” then, however this is messed up, this will be bloody and this will come to haunt us again and again, even the beneficiaries of today, perhaps especially the beneficiaries of today.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 28th, 2013.
COMMENTS (19)
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Pakistan is in deadly danger only political parties can save our nation and state
This election is very clear. Taliban are not letting PPP and Anp to contest as they think them their enemy. They will not do the things that they like. So they are attempting that Taliban friendly parliament comes inmeing so that Taliban friendly laws can be enacted. I always here that british, Russia and now USA are defeated inafghansitan, but shere Punjab Ranjeet singh ruled upto Kabul. We have army from same area and need change in thinking that our priority is Pakistan not global jihad
Good op-ed.
The irony is unmistakable.
A. At this rate, the choices in the Pakistan will soon be the religious right, ultra-right and whack job crazy, murderous religious fanatical right.
B. Some people think that threat of fanaticism is being overstated and nuance is required, etc. They are wrong.
C. The Barbarians are not only inside the gates, they are now driving everyone else out.
Those whom have any doubts, please refer to this video.
http://www.insaf.pk/Media/Videos/tabid/62/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/5413/Amir-Mughal-speaking-at-rally-on-defending-blasphemy-law-Dec-31-2010.aspx
The General Secretary of a political party is inciting murder. And then party proudly hosts this video on their official website.
Moderator ET. Saroop Ejaz's words are in public domain. The video is in public domain. So what is your objection.
A democracy is all about "adult franchise". The only precondition in particupation in it is "age" and nothing else. Evaluating & questioning the qualities like religious beliefs or education levels or caste-and-creed of the candidates or voters should be a taboo. I would have preferred Musharraf contesting the elections and losing it in a big way than his not being allowed to contest. What is going on in Pakistan in the current election is not at all a democratic process! Indian democracy is far from perfect but it is surely an "adult franchise". Pakistan could follow our democratic system & principles as a starting point & build & improve on it. What I am seeing in Pakistan presently is a total ridicule of democracy!
@nust: and how do you know this with such conviction, pray tell.
the future is well visible . PML (N) with the right wing support will emerge the biggest force.many more parties will come forward to forge alliance to form coalition government at federal level. Punjab province is already within their control. PTI may take some slice but won't emerge a force to contain PML (N). That will be a situation favorable to extremists to spread their ideology further inside Pakistan . Afghanistan too will be effected by this. ( Afghan Taliban shall be sharing the power) after the withdrawal of NATO.. Ultimately Sharia law shall be implemented in Pakistan within the tenure of next government. Saroop saheb .your law firm shall have lower revenue generation thereafter. Till then carry on your fight and struggle for your awareness programme. good luck.
Fantastic article for those who understand the delicate & obvious details where PK is headed.
Looks current election will put the last nail in the coffin box. The nations unable to understand that religion has nothing to do with state affairs aught to meet the same fate.
Interesting analysis of the challenge posed by the spurt of violence in the run up to 11 May. If the supporters of the PPP, MQM and ANP are terrorized and do not go to vote in sufficient numbers, the three parties may lose in terms of election results. But to what extent, is not clear. It is easier to carry out sporadic blasts during an election campaign, as compared to trying to disrupt the polls. This election is not so much about how many seats the above-mentioned three parties will lose. It is more about whether the big old centre right party- PML-N or the emerging centre right party- PTI will win more seats. The real political game will recommence on May 12. Meanwhile, the caretakers score a fat zero in curbing violence.
As always a thought provoking article. Beneficiaries of today will soon be fighting these fanatics for their own survival. Their self-interest requires them to remain quiet today in front of these atrocities. However, victims of today should team up with these beneficiaries tomorrow for eradicating this menace. They'll have their turn to power later in this game...
The author has summarised the situation well.
We will not be having free and fair elections, and yet, we have no choice but to go ahead. The way this is unfolding is pathetic; with the beneficiaries of this pre-election violence hardly feigning sympathy; not even pretending to have any sort of conscience. And we thought we had it, at least briefly: five-year term completed - neutral caretaker setup; and then in came the crusaders.
To add, one fears the post-election scenario. If the parties appeasing the militants win this country will be done. Finished. And if some how parties being targeted still win, one wonders the reaction of the establishment, which has so far, by virtue of inaction, shown how repulsed it is by these parties. So,basically indicating that it won't tolerate their government any way
All looking extremely gloomy, to be honest.
Well said Saroop unfortunately some people never learn! State used religion back in 1971 with the assistance of JI and failed, the same formula is being applied with a bigger cast as stated by Saroop and they will fail again. Fault line between North and South Pakistan is getting deeper and this rigged election is bringing the end closer!
Brilliant Piece. Theis election is between PPP, MQM, ANP Vs TTP, PTI, JI, JUIF and PMLN.
There is NO WAY - certainly NO WAY - that either a Religious party or the TTP is behind the blasts in Karachi. No Way. And please, anything will be better than the kind of democracy at hand. I'm not saying a Talibaan rule, but they are DEFINITELY NOT behind the unrest. It's more probably the tyrants who want the Elections to be ceased so they can continue their rule and atrocities.
So what you're saying is that, yes there can be something worse than the last 5 years of PPP-Z rule.............and you may be right as well.
Another bold and truthful Op Ed by the ET. I agree with almost every point that you so eloquently stated. However, I do have a small question when you say "One side of the divide is being made irrelevant and dead. The other side is all the same. It wants a religious welfare state and has no quarrel with the estranged and extremely angry brothers of ours doing all the killing. The other side wants a religious welfare state? The MMA was in power so was Gen Zia for a long time. What did they do for the welfare of masses? Is spread of guns and hate a welfare state? What program is better than BIS, or old NDVP that they are offering? Is there mandatory education, basic healthcare and jihad against poverty included in their manifesto? Why would they need the crutches of a welfare state, in an Islamic state? Are they admitting their Islamic state alone would not be a welfare and fair for poor?