Pakistan is making history today. Its 180 million masses are going to polls making the first ever civilian transition of power in country’s history. Polling will run from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. It is hoped it would be dawn of a new era in Pakistan’s electoral history with a gradual move towards total civilian control over international and external affairs of the country. For the first time, it seems the Pakistani security establishment and military is not running the stage behind polls and making decisions about winners and which party to form government.
It is very likely that no single party will sweep with clean majority, thus a coalition government of the previous ruling alliance of the Pakistan People’s Party, Awami National Party and Mutahida Qawmi Movement or the Pakistan Muslim League and Pakistan Tehreek Insaaf will lead a coalition with other smaller parties. What is unlikely is the fact that a pro-establishment rubber stamp party will not be able to make any significant success and be in a position to make a ruling coalition.
In recent weeks, Tehreek Taliban Pakistan marred the campaigning period with violent attacks killing dozens of people including several politicians and candidates running for provincial and national assemblies. The threats kept all major parties’ leadership away from public gatherings and rallying.
The three secular parties, PPP, ANP and MQM have been particularly attacked being declared a TTP target. In a letter addressed to their spokesman, TTP commander Hakimullah Mehsud has called for attacks all across the country on polling day. Military has been deployed in several areas and high-threat districts across the country.
It has raised a serious question about polls given the fact that three particular parties were unable to conduct their campaign as openly as their right wing rivals. However, the security challenge has been a general threat to officials of all parties, except few.
What has emerged as new a trend in this election in Pakistan is emergence of sectarian parties going to polls based on slogans of hate and sectarian fanaticism, despite the fact that Pakistan’s Election Commission has banned seeking vote on religious and sectarian basis. Nominally banned organizations like the former Sipah Sahaba and current Ahl Sunnat Wal Jamaat, the parent organization of terror group Lashkar-e-Jhangvi have openly fielded candidates.
The volatile Balochistan Province has also faced troubles during the campaign period, with limited space for national Baloch groups who are going to polls, facing attacks from the separatist groups. We hope a successful civilian transition of power will bring stability in Pakistan, where foreign policy will be set by civilians, not the military.