Mian Nawaz Sharif has become the first person to serve a third term as the prime minister of Pakistan and makes history. The constitutional transition of power, too, represents a novelty in our history. All these are, of course, excellent signs. The entire process of the transfer of power has gone ahead remarkably smoothly and this in itself is a huge achievement given our past — and it is now up to Mr Sharif and the PML-N to extract maximum advantage from this, serve the country well and prove that democracy has real value for all of us.
To do this, Mr Sharif, despite the fact that he has a solid, simple majority in parliament — receiving a total of 244 votes in the National Assembly — will need to overcome a number of immediate difficulties. The first among these is possibly the power crisis. It has left our country crippled and our people badly affected by the daily hours of load-shedding. Equally pressing is the matter of drone strikes, which he also addressed in a speech made in parliament, calling for the United States to end its campaign of drone attacks and respect Pakistan’s sovereignty. The economy, too, needs attention — while the relatives of hundreds of missing persons in the country staged a demonstration in Islamabad as voting for the prime minister slot took place to draw attention to their own concerns.
The next five years will be shaped by the degree of success Mr Sharif enjoys in solving, or at least easing, the problems the country faces. Right now, he seems to be committed to the task. Whether this will be enough — time will tell. Beyond commitment, we need well thought-out policies which incorporate all groups in the country so that it can become a more united one. The last five years have proved that governments need to deliver if they are to succeed in office. The PML-N will no doubt have this in mind with Mr Sharif saying that the trust the people have placed in him is an asset for him, as well as his strength. The prime minister has already earned for himself a name in the history books. Other questions regarding, what we hope will be a five-year tenure in power, can only be answered once the task of governance gets underway.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 6th, 2013.
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@Adnan: "The fact that this man has been elected for the 3rd time only shows how politically bankrupt the leadership of Pakistan is." . ...besides those who vote for them.
The fact that this man has been elected for the 3rd time only shows how politically bankrupt the leadership of Pakistan is.
Energy, economy and drones -- complicated issues that in all likelihood can't be resolved without assistance from the USA -- must be a bitter pill to swallow.
I read the editorial again to see if I have missed it. But surprisingly, there was no mention of terrorism and extremism in the immediate challenges being faced by the government of Nawaz Sharif. While drones issue has been unduly highlighted, the crux of the problem is terrorism on our soil. Drones will stop if we exercise sovereignty on our tribal regions.
Time for action now. Progress to be monitored on monthly basis.
Whether some like it or not the fact remains that the secular coalition govt has built the foundation of a a democratic Pakistan under the worst of circumstances. Democracy was attacked, molested and hijacked by the TTP terrorists but they could not stop its march. Now it is in the hands of NS who is experience enough and take enough beating at the hands of undemocratic forces to know who the friends and who the real enemies of democracy are. Welcome back Mr. PM, best of luck for the next five years.
OK! Third time,well you may also see the fourth time.......But remember what one of the great American Presidents Mr,Thomas Jefferson said," HONESTY IS THE FIRST CHAPTER OF THE BOOK OF WISDOM." One may also add that you should not only be financially,but also intellectually honest.If this time you champion the foregoing there could be fifth time depending on your survival & mental ability.
Democratically elected PMs do not last long in Pakistan. Let us hope that NS completes his term. He is lucky to have a majority in parliament. In a country where coalitions partners are more of a nuisance, nothing is done and only differences keep slowing the process. NS will not have that as an excuse. Let us hope that he delivers.