Daily Times

The PML-N has won almost a clear majority in the National Assembly (NA) according to latest reports. Of course this is still not official since the counting and declaration of final results is still awaited from the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). However, the trend and likely outcome is adequately clear. This conclusion is borne out by the rival parties of the PML-N gracefully accepting its victory, despite complaints and protests regarding rigging in a few constituencies. At the time these lines are being written, the top leadership of the PML-N under the chair of its chief Mian Nawaz Sharif is huddled together considering the formation of governments at the Centre and in the provinces. The PML-N, in recognition of the enormous challenges confronting the country, wants to get on with things as soon as possible. To this end, reports say portfolios are under discussion. A few things are clear. Nawaz Sharif will be prime minister and his younger brother Shahbaz Sharif will return as chief minister Punjab. Ministerial portfolios have not been formally revealed (this must await the final results and the taking oath of the government). But it is widely accepted that Ishaq Dar will return to the finance ministry, which is a critical appointment given the state of the economy. The economic crisis brooks no delay in grappling with its deep-rooted problems, first and foremost energy. Tackling militancy is both crucial and inherently linked with trying to revive the economy. Since the PML-N is at last count close to a simple majority in the NA, reports say it is looking first and foremost at independent MNAs to secure a majority. However, party leaders are reiterating their commitment to working with all parties to resolve the country’s serious issues. Given Nawaz Sharif’s track record and approach, it is likely that privatisation and deregulation of the economy within a free market paradigm will define the new government’s policy. Pakistan’s looming balance of payments difficulties mean the country will have to approach the IMF soon for a bailout.

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has been at pains to dispel the notion that results in some constituencies may have been tampered with. Most observers, and they include both domestic and international monitors, have concluded that though there were many flaws and anomalies in the arrangements by the ECP, the elections as a whole were relatively credible and barring a few constituencies, women in some areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), and Ahmedis (who boycotted over the separate list ordained for them), the people of Pakistan’s will is reflected in the outcome. In the provinces, the picture is clear in Punjab (PML-N with a two-thirds majority) and Sindh (PPP with a simple majority and the option of inducting the MQM as a coalition partner). Contention lingers over KP, with jockeying for advantage continuing between the PML-N, JUI-F and PPP-S on one side and the PTI on the other. Balochistan’s picture is cloudy, with the PML-N claiming a majority, but the mandate as usual appears fractured amongst the Baloch and Pashtuns, and amongst all the parties in the field, with the BNP-M browned off about alleged manipulation and rigging against them. The legitimacy and credibility of whatever government emerges from the murky post-polls atmosphere in Balochistan may well be contested.

While Imran Khan’s PTI has done well, its supporters’ disappointment owes more to unrealistic expectations of a clean sweep. Imran himself has been gracious in defeat and partial victory. However, he says his party will produce a White Paper revealing rigging and irregularities in the polling countrywide. Altaf Hussain’s MQM is, according to its supremo, “being driven against the wall”. This is a reference to the charges of rigging against the party in at least one constituency where partial repolling ha s been ordered, if not in more. Altaf came out with rather a strange statement to the effect that if someone did not like the mandate of Karachi, the city should be separated from Pakistan! The logic escapes one. The real crisis is being faced by the PPP, which did so poorly that heads should roll. Yousaf Raza Gilani has led the way and set a good precedent by accepting responsibility for the party’s electoral debacle and resigning from Senior Vice-President of the party. Others amongst the top leadership should emulate his example. Only an honest reckoning of the party’s failures holds out any hope of the PPP bouncing back from the depths of its ignominy. The electorate has punished the party for its real and perceived failures. Much introspection and corrective measures are required. Let the PPP leadership show the maturity and wisdom required of it in this regard. *