Of the Two Evils -- Pakistan's Election

So, the verdict is out. The king's party (PML-Q) backed by Musharraf (even till the last time) was badly defeated. Even the party's president and some other senior members were defeated in their respective strongholds. Benazir Bhutto's party (PPP) won a clear lead, which does not come as a surprise, since it is one of Pakistan's most prominent party, and was destined to get more votes after Bhutto's assassination.

A bit surprising thing, however, was unexpectedly better performance of Nawaz Sharif's party (PML-N), especially in Punjab. Recall that Sharif is a very vocal supporter of reinstatement of pre-emergency Nov 3 judiciary. PPP's stand is not very clear on judiciary issue, but, considering that PML-N won a major vote by claiming that they will reinstate the judiciary, I think even PPP would have to consider it. PPP would also have to consider it in some way or the other in order to form a coalition government. Other than that, both majority parties agree on reinstating 1973 constitution and lifting curbs on media (both of which are very good steps).

But, then it creates a problem for Pervez Musharraf, who has categorically said that there is no possibility of reinstatement of judiciary. I think Musharraf would agree to all other demands, but, not the judiciary, because if he does, all the previous cases of his eligibility as president would reopen, and as a result, he is definitely going to be ousted, even impeached too.

So, I think the best possible solution is that Musharraf resigns with honor, saying that he accepts people's verdict. Obviously the vote was not about Musharraf. But it said enough that people are not happy with his policies, and want opposition to form the government and repeal all the illegal and unpopular actions. I think even that will improve his rock-bottom image. At least, I would appreciate that, since it is the best logical solution. Otherwise, there is only more instability and chaos in country, and more protests, violence etc. I think no body in his right mind would still want Musharraf as head of state (except american administration, which has always supported dictators in other countries for their own good).

I think the new government should also close the political cell of ISI, and take some measures in order to stop future army interventions in politics. The media and judiciary should be completely free, handle the terrorism problem effectively (considering it as pakistan's problem, not a US or world's problem), and we are all set to go. But, somebody please tells Musharraf that people don't want him.

There is this widespread notion (especially among the educated) that even democracy has not done anything good to Pakistan, so we should have Musharraf as an autocratic ruler. But, I would quote a few sentences from Cowajee's article (he borrowed it from Basil Henry Liddell Hart's Why Don’t We Learn from History?):

"We learn from history that democracy has commonly put a premium on conventionality. By its nature, it prefers those who keep step with the slowest march of thought and frowns on those who may disturb the ‘conspiracy for mutual inefficiency’. Thereby, this system of government tends to result in the triumph of mediocrity — and entails the exclusion of first-rate ability, if this is combined with honesty. But the alternative to it, despotism, almost always inevitably means the triumph of stupidity. And of the two evils, the former is the less."