PAKISTAN DESERVES CONGRATULATIONS

By: Bilal Bashir Bhat

While achieving a major milestone the Pakistan National Assembly for the first time ever since its existence have completed its full term of Five Years under the stewardship of president Asif Ali Zardari. The National Assembly or lower house of Parliament completed its constitutional five-year term on Saturday and the cabinet of Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf, as required under the constitutional compulsions, was dissolved at midnight, marking the first time an elected set-up has not been removed by the military or other political forces. Prime Miniser’s farewell address that "We have strengthened the foundations of democracy to such an extent that no one will be able to harm it in future," is index of determination and will of the people of Democratic Pakistan.

Pertinently, On 7 August 2008, the Pakistan Peoples Party and the Pakistan Muslim League (N) agreed to force Musharraf to step down and thus, begin his impeachment. In the general elections held in February 2008, the party of slain leader Benazir Bhutto, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) won 123 seats in the National Assembly while the Pakistan Muslim League (N) of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif won 91 seats in the National Assembly. President Musharaf's ally party Pakistan Muslim League (Q) (PML-Q) came third with 54 seats. After the elections the People's Party Parliamentarian and the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz announced a coalition to form the new government along with the Awami National Party (ANP).

Now Pakistan is a democratic Country and the mood of democratic people cannot be challenged. However since the day, Pakistan came in to existence in 1947, efforts for establishment of Democracy in the country by sincere and good-hearted leadership became causality time and again.  Thanks to some power greedy elements who used the equal efforts to abolish democratic system in the country. Pakistan Peoples Party led government came into existence all credit goes to President Asif Ali Zardari, who made all efforts to strengthen roots of democracy in the country. The icon of Peoples Party, Benazir  Bhutto's widower  asif Ali Zardari proved surprisingly agile at survival. Three years ago, he handed over much of his power to the prime minister and in the process, robbed his critics of the accusation that he was amassing power like his predecessor. He also transferred some power from the central government to the provincial levels which perhaps have helped Pakistan to survive the Democracy.

Anyways Pakistan deserves congratulation for creating this unexpected history. Now it will be interesting to learn how much the masses of Pakistan love their country and how they will protect newly earned democracy.

(The writer  can be reached at: bilalbashirbhat@gmail.com)