Sir: Pakistan is going to the polls on May 11, 2013 in one of the most significant elections in its history. Some people are interpreting these elections as make or break for the country. Election campaigns are in full swing in Punjab only while the other three provinces are either in the grip of violence or there is general indifference among the masses, giving the campaign a deserted look. Political parties in urban and rural Punjab are employing all tactics to lure their potential voters. One of the most talked about factors is ‘biradrism’ (clan links), which is vital when it comes to real time voting. The factor is important and needs some analysis to help us understand. Pakistan is a third world country where half of its history has the stamp of dictatorship on it. One man rule is actually non-progressive in nature and hampers the development of democratic institutions. The interests of the state and the interests of the individual contest each other. The state becomes a party against its own citizens. State functionaries like the police and other machinery of the state, which have the intrinsic function of serving the common man and creating goodwill for the state, perform on behalf of a group of self-interest seeking people. The individual, when insecure in the hands of state functionaries, turns to biradris for the protection of his rights. This insecurity at the hands of the state gives strength to the bond between the individual and biradris. This psychological state of mind pits citizens and the state against each other. The problem then gives birth to the monster of corruption and manifests itself in a clash of interests. The individual’s feeling of alienation can only be alleviated if state functionaries perform within the boundaries of the law. To check public functionaries, power must be devolved to the local level, the local government system must be strengthened and transparency must be introduced by employing new technologies. This is no secret and is known to most political leaders. Most of the heads of major political parties have travelled abroad and have seen western systems of governance themselves but are reluctant to install the western system because that would deprive them of their royal lifestyles. The nation is trapped in this vicious cycle. Heads of biradris then make underhanded deals with state functionaries and political parties to perpetuate their despicable scheme of ruling the weak. This notorious nexus must be broken and the status quo must go. The so-called harbingers of progress want to dupe the masses on the basis of huge infrastructure projects; they continue to befool the commoners on their success in making Pakistan nuclear but actually never promise people their right to govern with self-respect. Tested political gangs are once again plotting to get another term. It is the responsibility of the educated and politically aware youth of Pakistan to master their own destiny and vote for new people regardless of their biradris or else they will pay with five priceless years of their lives. MALIK MAHMOOD MAJOKA Melbourne, Australia