No doubt, the assassination of Benazir Bhutto has created a deepening situation of grief, anguish and anger. Her death unshackled the people's emotion, especially of the PPP workers and diverted them to acts of demolition and destruction. According to one estimate, the nation has to bear a loss of a trillion rupees.
But fortunately, the PPP stalwarts demonstrated a great restraint and persuaded the people to control their passions and should prepare themselves for the general elections to bring democracy in the country and that was exactly the sole mission of their leader who accepted death but did not bow before the extremists and terrorists.
Pakistan belongs to the 160 million people and not to any party or individual. The people have pinned great hopes in the forthcoming elections in the shape of solution of their problems.
The nation is faced with serious problems of absolute poverty, abject ignorance, widespread unemployment, lack of basic health facilities, low priority to education and above all the menace of terrorism and extremism. All political parties should prepare themselves for elections and avoid divisive politics. This is the only way they come up to the expectation of the masses.
Some political parties are engaged in negative politics of allegations and counter allegations. The need of the hour is to set sound and healthy trends. There should not be any provocation from any side.
Reconciliation and accommodation should be the hallmark of all political parties. Now uncertainty must give way to certainty, so that the socio--economic gains achieved during the last eight years with hard labour should not be lost. It is a good sign that PPP is displaying care and restraint though it has lost its leader in a suicidal bomb attack.
The response of PML (N) is also appreciable and has demonstrated reasonable attitude towards unity with the people of Sindh and the PPP. Sharing the grief and deprivation of the people of Sindh will strengthen the integrity and solidarity of the federation.
This is no denying the fact that the present government, led by President Pervez Musharraf, has pledged to the people that the elections will be held on February 18. The political parties in particular and the people in general must realise their responsibilities of bringing peace, discipline, patience and tolerance in the society.
This is the only way to hold elections and democracy can be restored in the real sense. The people will be able to elect their representatives and participate in the formulation of national policies which would ultimately solve their problems.
No citizens of Pakistan would like to compromise on the sovereignty of his country. Our divisions and dissensions have encouraged some foreign elements to interfere in our internal matters. We should unitedly show that we can safeguard our nuclear programme and we can suppress and root out terrorism and extremism with our own resources.
We will not tolerate any foreign incursions. The political parties may have different opinions on the conduct of governance and holding of polls but they should take a steadfast and determined stand to safeguard the national interests. This was the mission for which the leader of PPP gave her life. Now the PPP workers and people should fulfil their leader's missions.
The suicidal bombings can only be crushed with the solid support of the people. This is not a matter of concern of one party or one group of people but of the whole nation.
The political leaders should not submit to their self-interests but should talk to others, both in government and out of government to achieve national cohesive policies. Flexibility and conciliation are need of the hour.
Election campaigns without elaboration of national and international issues may lead the electorate to indecision to participate in the voting process and the country will be left with low turnout which would be the worst situation for the politicians who have to take decisions on vital issues.
This will also badly harm the country's image in the comity of nation and it would be difficult for the men at the helm of affairs to take strong position on both internal and external affairs. This may also encourage the foreign elements to interfere in internal matters. We should therefore, take well-considered positions and encourage the people to fully and wisely participate in the elections.
Now, it is not a matter of victory or loss in elections. The real task is to hold the country together. There may have been some drift in rule of law but the problems must be resolved through dialogue and nobody, inside or outside the country be given any opportunity to damage our national interests. Pakistan cannot afford any lapse of responsibility at this juncture of its history.
Every participating and non-participating political party has announced its manifesto. All these manifestos are the agendas of development and progress of the country. These contain measures for redressal of the peoples' problems. Only democracy can ensure integrity of the country.
All the political leaders and their parties should leave aside their differences for the time being and let the democratic system be established. They can bring change in the pattern of governance and accountability and can ensure supremacy of rule of law.
A functional parliament will lead to resolution of all ethnic, parochial, linguistic, religious and all sorts of problems. Only the joint efforts of the people can eradicate terrorism and extremism and Pakistan can become a peace-loving, modern and forward looking country.
Last but not the least, elections would be held in the most fair and free manner and all thoughts of poll rigging may be obliterated from the minds. Soon, an accountable and transparent system would come into existence and the country would be put back on the track of solid and sustainable democracy.
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