Let democracy succeed

Politics and exercise of authority is the right of a representative democracy. You cannot draw a line of demarcation between politics and governance as the two are interrelated in a circular fashion, one leading to the other, all in a positive sense, not implying any negativity or dysfunctional aspects. Power lies at the heart of a political system.

It has been rightly observed by a prominent political analyst that Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani faces not only the problems created by the previous government but also the accumulation of decades of mangled constitution, weakened state institutions and fragmented political parties. Today's refreshing, if cautious goodwill nonetheless reflects a political order that was fragile and complex even before Musharraf's take over in 1999 and remains so even now.

The challenge to the stability and efficacy of a civilian government is tough keeping in view the imbalance of the system of governance in the country. Every effort to stop violence at its source is negatively affected. Effort to rationalise foreign and domestic policy is frustrated. As such it would not be easy to translate themes and campaign promises into practice and therefore, the credibility of the coalition partners (Asif Ali Zardari, Nawaz Sharif and others) is thus being questioned and could be a setback to major political parties (PML-N and PPP). There is a good reason to worry that the voters will be exhausted with the prevailing uncertainty long before the government sorts itself out. The government must demonstrate that all citizens have claims on the state that the state can and will honour them.

Currently, Pakistan cannot afford any more situations involving confrontation. Any steps which are essential for the security and progress of Pakistan must be within the constitution and provision of law. Rumours, blogosphere and such other measures will not help. Dialogue and reconciliation is the right approach. Breaking the status quo is essential for democracy and the transfer of power has to be free of violence. This is vital if the peoples needs are to be met and national unity is to be achieved. There is always time to clean the house and fix the disposal. We need to pay attention to things that are critical to nation's health and happiness. It's a pity that the nation is divided into fragments and each fragment deeming itself as a nation.