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2013 ends, democracy goes onBy Tanveer Ahmed
ISLAMABAD: The calendar year 2013 can be dubbed “undamaging” as far as the country’s political landscape is concerned, especially in view of the smooth and peaceful transition of power from a civilian government to the other, through successful holding of general elections in May last.
Marred with the acts of terrorism and other social issues throughout the year, Pakistan was as much relieved to as at least it witnessed the strengthening of democratic credentials when transfer of power changed from the PPP to the PML-N in Center as well as the installation of different political parties governments in the four provinces.
The results of general elections were initially accepted by the defeated political parties with complaints of rigging, however for the sake of democracy all the political stake-holders showed sagacity to embrace the results for the flourishing of democratic culture.
The May 2013 general elections were, however, hit by the threats of terrorism when extremists and terrorists didn’t allow different political parties to openly campaign because of latter’s liberal thoughts.
Confined to corner in the wake of such threats, the liberal face of the political culture was almost faded in the general elections when the ‘progressive and liberal’ political parties were badly defeated just with success in Sindh where Pakistan People’s Party emerged as the single largest party and was able to form its provincial government.
PML-N, a party having right wing inclinations swept across the most populous province Punjab as well as remarkably performing in restive province of Balochistan and secured the simple majority in the legislature to form its government.
The “mantra of change” raised by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) was only accepted in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) where it emerged as the largest parliamentary party by forming its government in the KPK.
The successful holding of general elections and change of government in Islamabad was followed by more changes in the highest power corridors of the country that too went in a smooth and peaceful way.
Within the formation of central government, PML-N was successful to replace the president Asif Ali Zardari with its nominee Mamnoon Hussain by winning the presidential election held at the end of July 2013.
Embroiled in the controversy over the schedule of presidential election that prompted opposition party PPP to boycott it, Mamnoon Hussain took the reins of President Office in August.
Later comes the “change of guard” at the top level of military of the country when after serving six years as army chief general Ashfaq Pervez Kiani finally retired and General Raheel Sharif took the charge of Pakistan Army when he was appointed as new COAS by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
The most striking and impatiently-waiting development, however, came in last month of December 2013 when Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry departed from the scene to pave way for Justice Tassaduq Hussain Jilani to take over the charge at the post.
From the beginning till culmination of the year a relative peaceful political culture existed however the last quarter especially the last two months witnessed some problems for the government as Imran Khan-led Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) raised issues pertaining the verification of thump impressions in different constituencies of May elections.
The bad state of economy, burgeoning inflation, rising unemployment, acts of terrorism, declining trend in social indicators can be the factors that would press the government to grapple with them and confrontations by political rivals can not be ruled out in the coming years.
Yet, all [political parties] are in favour of strengthening democracy and will oppose, by the looks of it, any unconstitutional act for destabilising the democratically-elected government.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk