Next election in Pakistan

PPP which took over the throne will be completing its stipulated tenure on 17^th March, 2013 after being in power for 5 complete years which in other words mean that the new set up must be operational from 18^th March so that there is no lull or gap in between. Let us decide the core issue. Is PPP truthful in handing over the power to the new elected people on 18^th March or not? This will not only settle down the dust but also remove the doubts people have in their minds.

Regretfully the ground realities are far way from what it ought to be to be honest and this is what pricks me the most and certainly many others compatriots too must be thinking alike. It will be futile for me to talk about constitutional provisions on the subject whom anyone can read in any case and therefore I prefer to concentrate as to what we are seeing practically at this point of time. Undisputedly the call of the time is that some logistics must be applied and unless and unless those logistical steps are taken nothing can be achieved even though if the government very sincerely wants to fulfill its promise and commitment. Time and again PPP people right from President to a minister we have read in newspapers and seen on television about next elections but none has still spelled out in black & white as to when and how this could be materialized. Words howsoever bombastic, flowery and great in numbers may be simply cannot do what must be done unless and until someone wants to just keep the nation in waiting and waiting alone.

The dead date of 18^th March, 2013 for transfer of power to the new government can be met provided we are dead sincere in our intentions and prudential in approach and anything shorter than this will not work. First and the foremost is that election date must be announced and a caretaker government must take over so that it works as an umbrella to conduct all what is required to transfer the power from the incumbent set up to the new set up. Once the caretakers are seated on the throne then only new election is to be held and new members of National Assembly and Provincial Assemblies are to be elected and whosoever gets the majority both in center and provinces forms the government. Today it is already 21st November, 2012 which is just 17 weeks away to hand over the power to the new elected political party provided the whole process is completed right on time but ever since the present government headed by President Asif Ali Zardari has not announced any schedule till to date I have my serious doubts that the new set will be in place dot on time. However, yesterday I have read in Pakistan Observer that the government wants to hold election before the sizzling heat season sets in which means it could be around June 2013 and not before unless this time in Pakistan mercury rises to 50 C degrees in December 2012. At least I could not comprehend as to what could be the rationale between hot weather and election which are held throughout the year under all the weather conditions all over the face of the globe so how and why PPP is bracketing it with sizzling heat. Why and how elections are not held in winter which on one hand will ensure that that the power is transferred almost on due date and on the other hand the weather too is more tolerable? Is there any other country also on the face of earth which defers the election on such frivolous and illogical grounds? Who advised Zardari alike is a million dollar question to be honest?

If next elections are held in June, 2013 as it has been professed and hinted by PPP it proves in quite crystal clear terms that PPP is not truthful in handing over the power to the next elected people on time simply because arithmetically speaking the dead date of 18th March, 2013 to hand over power cannot be met under any circumstances whatsoever. It is trying to drag on for as many months, if not years which cannot and should not be ruled out either, as possible on one pretext or the other and hence let me pronounce that this, as such, is not a plus rather minus for PPP if one truly and judiciously realizes. The process of handing over power is quite time consuming as I have indicated but ever since PPP has not spelled out anything of the sort I can very convincingly say that come what may Zardari will be on the throne for many more months and all those who thought that 18^th March, 2013 could be another historic day in Pakistan in connection with handing over the power are just day-dreaming and nothing more or you prove me that I am wrong in my apprehensions.

When Zardari’s jugglery will end is my first and the last question of the day to be answered by you and you alone as I despite my all efforts have failed to solve the riddle, puzzle and zigzag? An answer to this and this alone will settle down the dust otherwise Pakistanis’ minds will be haunted all the time as to when they can greet the next elected representatives.