Here are three examples of gaps in our thought process, manifested in the current political imbroglio. First, let’s talk electoral rigging. Yes, some surely happened in Pakistan last year. There are no developing countries where it wouldn’t have. Was it greater than any previous Pakistani elections? No. Let’s make sure it doesn’t happen again, but should we scrap an entire (very costly) election a year after it happened if the result wouldn’t have been very different in a re-do? No. Here we have a case of an international body that specifically evaluates electoral processes in many, many countries, which said the 2013 elections were by and large okay. But we also have some number of first-time urban, educated, upper middle class voters who went to polling stations and saw some irregularities, and lived to tell the tale. These few then magically extrapolated that experience to the entire country, and suddenly we have anecdotal evidence trumping a systematic study. Strike one, for propping anecdotes over evidence.
Second, there’s the idea that democracy isn’t meant for Pakistan, since it sends the same old people out to loot us. There is the narrative of the ‘benevolent dictator’, an oxymoron if there was ever one, being a better option. There’s selective ‘evidence’ presented to support this, of growth rates of a few Asian tigers. (The democratic West’s successes get obscured by Pakistan’s anti-Western rhetoric). But a new political class hasn’t been able to emerge in Pakistan precisely because we haven’t allowed it enough time to happen. Look at our history, and it’s obvious that the disenchantment sets in very soon after an election ends and governance (or a lack thereof) begins. So we clamour for an ouster. Suddenly, the option that did not seem appetising only in the previous season becomes the rosy alternative we want more than anything — though the alternative has done nothing to earn that position in the interim. And it becomes a cycle. Strike two, for our impatience and preference for short-term gratification.
Strike three, for our love of conspiracy theories. Of course we can’t rule out some behind-the-scenes maneuvering or (to me, more likely) encouragement of the protesters by the army. But the idea of a master puppet show being played out (on either side) should be put to rest by the fact that it just hasn’t played out very well. Politics is murkier than that, with a great many competing motivations and personalities at play. Conspiracy theories flourish here, given the lack of transparency, spreading of information based on hearsay, the common man feeling a lack of control, and a desire to oversimplify the world by attributing absolute power to a single actor. Oppose these conspiracy theories with a rational argument, and you will be labeled an ‘agent’, sealing the theory. Related to this, we see extreme political polarisation, with everyone making politics personal. So no one wants to hear the other side, let alone understand it. A reasoned approach is dismissed, with a wave of the hand and accusations of being a stooge of the opposing party. The truth, which no one seems interested in, is more muddied: each side has genuine grievances, and has made mistakes.
Let go of our flawed thinking, and we might be able to find our way out of this mess, and in the long term, to a better political system. Here are a few examples of what we might do.
Pakistan has more 24/7 news channels than most countries, I would venture. But in this crisis, the television media has speculated, touted conspiracies, and muddied the waters (with some exceptions). How about investing in some solid investigative reporting, and aspiring to higher standards?
Second, let’s start thinking of politics as a long-haul game. When politicians view a longer-term horizon, their motivations change. The imminent threat of forced removal from office leads to an incentive to extract as much as possible now. Take the threat away, and politicians develop a long-term strategy. If the political playing field is open, new players are allowed to come on the horizon in the meantime, and a corrupt politician knows that it may be many terms before he is re-elected (instead of just one term as has been the case in our system so far), so he behaves better in the present.
Third, stop treating the army as a legal political player. We have played a part in propping it up. Consider the reverence with which an ISPR tweet is regarded, and the clamor claiming a coup was on its way last week. It only lends the army legitimacy. Disregard it a bit, and you loosen its grip. (But history has burned us in this regard, so this is easier said than done).
Look, we have suffered injustices. And no one can accuse us of not caring. But that’s no reason to abandon reason altogether. We can’t build better political institutions if we show no respect for the ones we currently have, and if we don’t give the political process its due. It’s time to start using our brains, everywhere — in parliament, on the street, in our homes. Be less dismissive of the other side, try to understand where they come from, and figure out a compromise in the best interest of this country of ours.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 11th, 2014.
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COMMENTS (54)
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The situation is certainly beyond the conspiracies and the oxymoron dictatorship. To me, unfortunately "good democratic government" is oxymoron. Since its creation, there had been none, that demonstrated good for Pakistan, whether was dictator or whether was a civil dictator and nepotist like Nawaz Govt.
The second unfortunate factors in the politics and governance of Pakistan is the corruption element, mass corruption of money, morality and minds. The dictators of times like Ayub Khan, Ziaul Haq, and Musharaf converted the politicians, judiciary, establishment, and executive to money making industries. Now, none want it but for making heaps of money and taking that money outside of the borders to have a peaceful life. This is common and applicable to most of the country's machinery. This has to be curbed, and is not easy thing to do. How is a question? Because, any one feeling a threat to the system result in union of the parliament like we have been witnessing now. The foes of forever are brothers now, only to save what? They never bothered the countries' benefit and interest in the past? They never voiced against any factor that hurt the country's interest? Now they are one, because they see what is going to happen will hurt them. They would never allow a common man to point at them, and thus have become one, all for one.
There is much more to change in Pakistan, and to make it a country of one nation dedicated to the country's interest. The current political imbroglio may fetch something in that direction or not? is so early to say.
Rigging is not the central theme of PTI/PAT. It is removing Sharifs,and installing IK as PM(the biggest "I' "ME" man that ever lived.And Qadri,the "peaceful" is talking daily of "BLOODY" revolution.If Lahore killings had not happened,these people wouldn't have any sympathy with the masses,and would have long gone home.
@Udaya Bose: Do not stereotype Kashmiri Muslims based on the rants of a Hurriyat supporter.. When Hurriyat member had contested eletions, they lost their deposits.
Pakistan needs to leave the path of religion. Religion is meant to be kept at home and to oneself and out side the boundaries it creates hate, prejudice, intolerance, bias, intolerance, narrow-mindedness, and malice. Religion if kept to oneself gives one strength, hope and peace. History tells us that foundation of any country based on one theology and where there is no respect of other peoples thoughts fails. Any society based on one dogma and there is no tolerance for other beliefs ultimately retards, stagnates, ad cease to make progress. Revolution, historically comes within middle class. It seems like trend is towards that in Pakistan. Masses are ready to move and that day is approaching fast. People in Pakistan are sick and tired of clergy their rhetoric, and know that they are being misled and made fool off. Its time for country to move on. The present movements In the country foreshadows that trend.
@Nida Alvi: Good post. But please briefly describe what is said in the references you gave. Not everyone reads the references (links). Nevertheless, the links are excellent and very relevant.
Dipak@Mirza: Don't be hard on yourself. What you need to do is to eliminate Feudals, all 46 families, Military and all religion twisting Mullahs. Just imagine life without these corrupt overbearing people and an average Pakistani on way to a peaceful and prosperous life.
A good piece of writing on Express tribune! However, it should be kept in mind that this is a rent-a-dharna with paid "protesters". These people are creating human misery for their nefarious designs. Nauseating. http://fb.me/1qjZsxSbs The BBC published a detailed report http://www.bbc.co.uk/urdu/pakistan/2014/09/140905inqalabionrenttk.shtml on 5th September 2014. Now Reuters has further endorsed the news of rented inqilabis http://mobile.reuters.com/article/idUSKBN0H70K520140912?irpc=932
@Syed Jalal Kashmiri: Kashmiris of the Valley are the most ungrateful and dishonest lot there ever was. Your ingratitude in the face of the massive rescue and relief operations that have been launched show how despicable your attitude is. Never mind, as citizens of India you are entitled to get every help from the government and people of the rest of India and you will get it no matter whether you acknowledge it or not. You may not have good sense, we do.
Dipak@Syed Jalal Kashmiri: You seem confused. Kashmir is India and nothing else.
@Anjaan: The people of Pakistan are not the problem. The problem is in the first instance are corrupt military officers who overthrew elected governments in order to put corrupt generals Zia and Musharraf in power.
Pakistan need a revolution like fish needs a bicycle! Unless we improve our personal character nothing is going to happen. We have to take responsibility of all our wrong actions. We are selling fake baby medicines, fake baby formula, dead animal meat, and milk which is primary source of life is sold with water and starch for many generations. Nobody would descend from the top and change our habits only we can if there is a will.
Pakistan needs genuine good leadership. I pray that in the future, my Kashmir will also produce leaders for Pakistan as we have in the past for the world's Muslims. Free Kashmir. Pakistani brothers and sisters, pray for us during the floods, because India has shown us they don't care about us. We should rely on only God and our fellow Muslims.
ET mods - please allow response o the absurd hypthesis that anything of value in India is onky due to Muslim rule and then British rule.
@Hueshang Ansari:
1400 years of subjugation? I guess you started from the 7th century?
In any case whatever period present day India was subjugated, wasn't present day Pakistan subjugated for the same or greater period?
And is it your case that Mughals like Babar and Aurangzeb ( who never ruled most of the south and many parts of east) or Siraj-ud-Daulah anyway taught Indians lessons of democracy?
Plus the plunderers came to India because it was rich. No one goes to plunder a poor country. From astrology to mathematics to literature to philosophy to sculptures there is a 5000 year civilisation (including Moenjo Daro in present day Pakistan) that predates not only the subjugaors but also predates Islam.
Incidentally the kings were never banias. They were kshatriya. Bania is a trading community.
@Umar Sear: Opinion of european observers and Fafen also that despite some definite location specific dhandhli' this election was among the cleanest that Pakistan has had.
Democracy means the government of the people for the people and by the people and if rigging in the election is proved on mass level ,the government at once ceases to be the
government by the people
in this case the mid term election is the only solution and before proving these allegations the demand of prime minister resignation seems an unfair demand. It is agreed that Pakistan need drastic reforms in its political system so that its deliverance level can be improved.Political system of Pakistan due to its non deliverance come under question again and again and then this thought arises that democracy does not suits Pakistan. If political system started delivering , every one will .say democracy is the best system for Pakistan.Pakistan does not need any type of revolution because in a political revolution an abrupt change in political system or in political institution occur in the result of mass mobilization of people or revolt by the people.here we do not see any leader who can mobilize the people in such a manner which can converted in to revolution afterwards. Secondly, we suppose if this system is overthrown which form of government or political structure will replace this political system is still a missing concept so far as the thought of revolution is concerned in Pakistan. The writer has rightly saidNot to say that our political system is all roses. It does desperately need reform — but from within, not without.
@Hueshang Ansari: When Islam was not even born, India had republic structure. When there were tribal and not an iota of civilization in middle east, the civilization was thriving in India. Had it not been the popularity and rise of Buddhism, India would have had much larger than what it is now. However people like you would like to live in your own pond of ignorance and most of the world would leave you on your own. When you have a chance , check out the map of Maurya Empire which existed from 322-185 BCE , i.e. almost 800 years before Islam was born, and you would fine out the grandeur of it.
What is needed are movements at the grass roots level that teach Pakistanis morality, honesty, and self-criticism. Any movements for power grab are not going to reform or revolutionize society.
If in principle all agree(and most do) that elections were rigged (somewhat or completely) and that the people sitting currently in Parliament united against PTI and PAT are corrupt and tyrants (little bit or extremely).... Then those who still insist on being "patient", talk about "democracy" and "constitution" need to honestly question their morals. You have right and wrong. There is no middle ground. These people clearly fall in the latter and need to be judged and punished. Please step in the shoes of those who have suffered because of them(which is the entire nation) but specifically those who have lost their lives and loved ones because of the failure of the corrupt and incompetent people in power. The author and those commenters in support of the author live cozy lives and have no clue of ground realities. Try telling those who have suffered about "democracy" and "constitution"
Those who have lived through the 90s - when 4 governments were pushed out within 2 years of their terms - know that it did more damage than good. Therefore, as in civilized societies, we need to respect the mandate of people for 5 years otherwise next govt will also not be able to complete its term. As this nice article says otherwise the country will remain caught in a vicious circle.
My comment addressed all three of her points and negated them........and was disallowed. ET kindly allow me luxury of registering by disapproval.
"First, let’s talk electoral rigging. Yes, some surely happened in Pakistan last year. There are no developing countries where it wouldn’t have. Was it greater than any previous Pakistani elections? No. Let’s make sure it doesn’t happen again"
"There are no developing countries where it wouldn’t have" acceptance of this mindset is the root cause of whats happening here for the last 67 years. To find excuses for some malpractices leads to more of the same or worse.
@Hueshang Ansari: My sympathies with you for your arrogance. Generally, arrogance is bred out of ignorance.
i hope U have not been bribed. ur logic is highly erratic . and U r utterly unaware of the ground realities, and local perception. while sitting that far, away how can U have such naive and illogical conclusion. better refresh up ur thinking and analytical conscious
@Zaid Noorsumar: One other thing the govt could have done was to stop its members running to courts to take out stay orders against recounts/verification. Why would they need stay orders if they won so cleanly?
Dear Author, The state is in a crisis. Crisis 2014. We need a dynamic leadership and approach to get out of this crisis. We are facing threats like TTP/Alqaeda, insurgencies like Balochistan, law and order failure like Karachi. The current leadership is incompetent, sluggish and has become part of the problem by making few blunders. These include increasing friction between state institutes, being indifferent to problems of poor masses, increasing mistrust between state and public, and concentrating 'power' and 'money' to few selected and incompetent individuals. Now in the greater interest of the state and masses, they should realize their blunders and become dynamic,active and responsive to public issues and develop consensus among various state institutes/stakeholder (seems impossible) or they should face their fate i.e exile in Jeddah or even worse. It will be very sad and painful too. The people and the system cannot wait for another 4 years in this Crisis. The state and society are fighting for their survival and this crisis requires urgent and 'out of box' policies/strategies/actions. This situation demands a dynamic and bold leadership. It would be better for society that our elite and intellectuals realize this soon.
@Zaid Noorsumar: It is not about preferential treatment.it is about justice and order in our society.All offices of government including chief justice's office are run from the taxes collected from the people of the state.If people of state are the funders of these institutions it is their right to demand audit of any department of state. No one is above the law.remember that.If Pakistan is a country than it has to be run properly. If there enough evidence that an election is a fraud then it should be called off immediately and fresh elections should be held. There is no role of parliament as the parliament made on fraud elections is also a fraud parliament.
@Hueshang Ansari: Can u give the account of 1400 years pls ...
Pakistan needs a good brewery built in collaboration with a solid brand maybe a Dutch or German or even a Canadian will do .That is the salvation of this nation...will cure all small problems the nation is facing .Stress and Nutritional issues will be solved. No revolution is needed just a massive Giga plant making fine quality Brew .
Under the present system..Ms Madiha no other person except with bloated wallet can enter politics & people who get elected after spending huge amount, will always find ways to get it compensated. That is why local govt election has not been carried on even though it is mandatory as per constitution, because development money is given in the hands of MNs & MPAs & not to nizam as per local govt system...under such a prevalent system you think any one else or political party will allow the present status quo to break. That is why all others have joined hands with PML N against PTI/ PAT who have challenged this status quo in first place by exposing rigging in election & injustice caused to those people in model town. PTI / PAT voices are for change in the mindset & eventual acceptance of CHANGE that will effect the very life of the general people who are living below poverty level yet constitutes more than 60 % of our population. If you allow this present status quo to continue, you are against the majority of people whom you claim to have come to rule with peoples mandate...where is that mandate ? the present party has come through 15% ( that too controversial ) of total registered voters or 180 million population, yet you claim that this is a democratic way coming into power with just 15% ? & that too you have not served well ! So, what democracy we are talking about. Unless we are able to straighten the system, we cannot expect anyone to diligently serve the people as expected. Money has blinded our leaders & politicians & the elite to such an extent that we do not care for the consequences here in this world or hereinafter. So, if people are now clamoring for CHANGE, what is wrong with that ?
You have only stated the obvious. You cant change a nation by simply telling them to "improve" while "people of authority" continue to plunder national resources.
Media won't stop siding with political parties that benefit them, general public will not accept politics as a "long haul game" until they start seeing benefits of the system, and army will not let go of the control unless a true and honest leader is at the helm.
First and foremost we need a leader who actually represents the people and that can only be achieved through transparent elections.
@Hueshang Ansari: You should not believe all that you were taught at your madarsa. They did that only to stiffen your courage. You seem to have picked up your alphabets on your own, so now go pick up some knowledge. This time around, your mind will be stiffened - even if your courage dissolves. Good luck! Take your time!
@Hueshang Ansari - 1400 years of subjugation?? Sirji its only 800, that too you guys were not able to control the entire end-to-end landmass. The legacy of your rule has been fundamentalism & rampant corruption (Aurangzeb's rule), laundibazi and what not... Better be a self-sufficient agricultural society than being nomads wandering aimlessly in the hot desert sun, before striking oil (which too they're unable to hold on to).
The writer has identified some very basic issues. So basic, in fact, that most nations find their solutions somewhere in the first decade of their formation. If Pakistan has not yet done so: well, it recalls those brave tales of a village woman who, despite all disadvantages, is still working away at her school certificate - at the age of 67!
Madiha, thanks for speaking on behalf of the coalition for reason, which badly needs a strong public relations campaign.
In response to commentators saying that the government did not address the call for an impartial investigation:
First off, a disclaimer. I don't support PML-N. Ideologically, I am more sympathetic to PPP and PTI but I don't support those parties either.
Legally, there was no avenue (except one that I will come to later) through which the government could have conducted an investigation into election rigging because of the existing process underlined in the constitution for parties to challenge results i.e. the election tribunals.
However, the PTI showed a disregard for this process when Chairman Imran Khan called for a recount in four constituencies on 15th May 2013. While this request could have been deemed "reasonable" in the absence of a post-election system by which the grievances of political parties could be addressed, it was anything but considering that there indeed was a mechanism in place to challenge election results.
The one option that the government had to entertain PTI's demand was through making a constitutional amendment in the parliament to modify the existing process, which would open up a pandora's box.
The government, which only had a simple majority, would have had to build a consensus in the parliament to pass the amendment, seeking help from opposition parties, to accomplish the aim of giving preferential treatment to a rival party!
Every party had complains regarding electoral process (including PML-N), so what right did PTI have to get their (special) demand accepted?
Essentially, accepting PTI's demand would be like the government giving itself a colonoscopy in broad daylight in the town square.
@Mirza: Islamabad is an artificial city made to stand these kind of shocks. In Pakistan, travel is difficult and travel for these event government of Pakistan has made travel even more difficult. There are dtill 30 thousand to 60 thousand people out at this Dharna. Government should accept the demands and do the recount.
Brilliant piece - concise, and to the point. Reading some of the comments, it is very clear that the assessment in the op-ed is spot on!
This article claims that murder has been committed but as its investigation and brining culprits to justice will be way too costly so we may spare the culpritsand move on... Hats off Madiha..
A revolution is in mind of an individual and every individual. In present ages it is our commitment to change ourselves with out disturbing others. Imran and Qadri are not bringing CHANGE but exploiting CHANGE.
@Strategic Asset: ...'moving along on our journey'..you are stuck in your bicycle rickshaws. With all due respects,..It took 1400 years of subjugation. For India to learn basic governance. From different rulers. Up till then it was basically an agricultural society. Owned by bunyas. Vote? What is vote? They do what the village panchayats tells them to do. Where to put their thumb prints. So,..no,..not 67 years.
With reference to your article.....The PTI azadi march is against one of the greatest injustices in our society.........How long can we keep tolerating a corrupt system.......The election commision is paid by public money to do one thing hold free and fair elections and they can't even do that....punishing them is important if we don't punish all those involved in election rigging then we should let go of all the professional criminals locked in jails......The saddest part of these elections to the nation was that the very person who was supposed to create law and order......The Chief Justice...Actually became the cause of all the lawlessness in the society.....If you have to let it go....then we are definitely living in an anarchy.........Then every criminal in jail should be freed....... and yess I am one of the greatest supporters of democracy but in reality what has it ever given us......Rigged Elections , a corrupt bureaucracy and a country full of incompetancy where 40 Billion can be spent on metro bus but no amount can be spent on research of solutions of floods and other important national issues.......I wish to ask you what should we do....
The whole agitation is about power not changing the plight of poor masses. If the agitating leaders were for a real change they could easily do the following. With Sharif Brothers in doghouse they could be pressured to announce free mandatory high school education, free lunches in schools, free basic medical care, poverty alleviation, price control, devoting atomic know-how to producing electricity, to name a few. Both Sharif Brothers would not dare oppose any such demand and that would have been a true change/revolution. However, these leaders want to change PM and election results not the plight of masses. That is why silent majority of Pakistani urban heartland is not part of agitation. They are too poor not to work unlike these leaders who have never worked for a living and are living of other people's money in luxury.
@Umar Sear: I stopped reading past “Was it greater than any previous Pakistani elections? No.” How did you come to the conclusion that the rigging in this election was not greater than before? just your opinion? You shouldn't have stopped reading. Or maybe you should just stop altogether. A very well written piece that covers most of the issues that bedevil democratic evolution in Pakistan, and also underscores the fact that you ultimately end up with the Government that you deserve - not the one that you desire. As the op-ed indicates, the system needs reform from within and that starts with you.
Your analysis very conveniently forgets to take into account the reasons why events have come to this point. 1 - when allegations of electoral fraud surfaced, the government decided to ignore calls for an impartial investigation; 2 - the model town massacre (regardless of who incited it) was initiated by the police, which acts on orders from the government. Surely in any other country the people in charge would step down, especially when accused of being connected to the killings. Instead our government dug in and decided to fight.
Resignations are in order not because the people are impatient, but because the government is being implicated in the above events, there are allegations of massive corruption in public works, and there is a continuing feeling of alienation of the masses. The disenchantment has been brewing for years, and when people were given the opportunity to march on Islamabad demanding their rights as citizens, they did so, and want to see heads roll.
Pakistan seems to be two countries running in parallel: the haves, with their money, connections and access to power, and the rest, who are necessary to perpetuate the enviable lifestyle of the haves.
The march on Islamabad is a turning point for Pakistan: the educated middle class failed over the last 40 years to assert for civil rights, and instead chose to be co-opted by the ruling elite. The "lower" economic strata has grown tired of hoping that someone would speak for them and know now that they can represent themselves.
What Pakistan needs is major social and economic overhauling. Our elected leaders could seize the opportunity and begin implementing change. Whether they are willing or able to give up their wealth and power is questionable. Or we can wait for other groups to take things into their own hands. Then we can wring our hands and cry against the revolution we are inviting upon ourselves.
Modi does not grow everywhere.
@Sidster: @imran: @Umar Sear: Bureaucracy and institutions with the sole exception of the Army are non-existent in Pakistan. The elections held last year were only the second elections held in its current period of democracy. Yet all of you want the elections to be perfect!
Qadri is an outsider whose PAT won only 0.7% of the vote and 1 seat. Imran's PTI is in power in KP, but he doesn't want to devote his energy to develop KP to showcase it and provide stiff competition to the entrenched parties such as PPP and PML(N). Both want to gain power at the federal level through extra-constitutional means and dharnas and fiery speeches. If one goes through both their demands, neither of them are interested in developing mechanisms to prevent the Model Town tragedy or electoral rigging, they only want an investigation as per their choice to illustrate that some of the mud they slung on the Sharif brothers have stuck to them. If you don't like the current PML(N) administration, express your displeasure by voting against him in the next elections. It would be near impossible for the Sharif brothers to rig every election without earning the ire of the people.
It took India 67 years to reach its current state of relative nirvana where people have faith that little or no electoral rigging occurs during our elections. Malpractices such as illegal migrant registration and vote bank polarization still abound, but we are slowly moving forward in our journey.
islamic?
One of the best pieces I have read on the current situation. Really shows a maturity that is tempered by modern thought that one sees in very few voices in the current cacophony of accusations and counter accusations. It doesn't get more patriotic than this in my opinion.The author has done her country and to its democracy a great service by articulating this view which needs to be planted in peoples minds today. Bravo!
Wonderful advice professor, really like the second gem of wisdom, let them "extract" over the long term rather than all at once. I think you a bit out of touch of what pakistani politicians are, their bellies will never be full and who, in the last 30 years, is a fresh face. People like to imagine that real democracy in pakistan began 6 years ago, the same people have been elected over and over, so what's fresh.
It seems anyone and everyone can write a blog for ET as long as it is advocating against challenging 2013 election. Personal opinions or feelings are put as absolute facts. The most ignorant argument is that it happens in all elections so just let it go. Argument for rigging is very strong because most of the constituancies that are opened have yielded massive irregularities. So, argument should be to have a fair audit and see how fair or unfair 2013 election were and that will be revolution nou putting it under the rug!
I stopped reading past "Was it greater than any previous Pakistani elections? No."
How did you come to the conclusion that the rigging in this election was not greater than before? just your opinion?
let's over look a rigged election and go for revolution : what a genuinely great idea
Money does not factor in regards to the exercise of the right to vote. If rigging occurred than election must be redone. If we let rigging become the norm than no improvement of system will occur. This is the first election that people were enthusiastic to vote and when their right to vote was taken due to violence, intimidation, and in case of Nawaz Sharif have Saad Rafique take over women polling station and become a Railway Minister. If the rigging charges had been investigated properly this stand off would have happened. Stealing a vote, one or thousands, is a crime that should be investigated in a fair manner. Nawaz Sharif, whom never played fair in his Political career, cannot be part of Government during the time of investigation.
The people of Pakistani are impatient ... they are impatient to get a democratic Govt. of their liking ... a Govt. that is super performing efficient corruption free, that will get rid of the problems of terrorism, poverty, healthcare etc. ... while the people are perfectly at peace with the military establishment having total control on the defense and foreign policies ... which in other words mean that the people of Pakistan want to have their cake and eat it too ... never happens that way ... !!