Has anything changed?

Has anything changed? The answer to this oft repeated critical question in the aftermath of recently held elections is both. 'Yes' and 'No' Yes, the PML-Q has lost its lack-lustre and power due to its anti-common man policies and indifference to the burning problems of the masses.
It stood washed out at the polls against all the tall claims of its popularity among the people. It also stands divided and demoralised. It has also lost whatever credibility it enjoyed.
The Peoples Party has re-emerged sharing power with ANP and MQM in NWFP and Sindh (Urban), respectively. Above all, PPP co-chairman Asif Zardari has triumphed as Mr Clean after his acquittal in all legal cases pending against him. His once notorious team members are also safely back to the throne.
The deal under the NRO has borne the desired fruits for all of them. PML-N, the co-beneficiary has also regained the lost paradise to a great extent. It has established its supremacy in Punjab, the biggest province or the elder brother. Some cosmetic changes have also taken place like the change in the ruling class and bureaucracy.
Now coming to the negative side of the answer, nothing has changed. Seething public discontent remains the same. The law and order situation has gone from bad to worse. Security agencies, including the police, are as helpless and ineffective as ever forcing the public to deal with the robbers and dacoits as it may wish, even burning them alive.
Hoarders and profiteers are free to fleece the people. The milk-sellers are at liberty to squeeze the buyers while butchers continue to butcher common men. The Peoples Party continues to resort to delaying tactics about restoration of judiciary. Hence its insistence upon a constitutional package that would keep the new judges intact while clip the wings of the reinstated Chief Justice. This amounts to killing two birds with one stone.
The contention that ground realities remain unchanged is proved by continuous presence of President Musharraf in the Army House even after his retirement as a general. His governors continue to occupy three of the four Governor Houses while the new governor of Punjab also carries his blessings.
Even Attorney General Malik Qayyum still holds onto the fort. No change has taken place in our foreign policy towards India and USA as we continue to harp on the same string of 'War Against Terror.' The US and Nato forces continue to ruthlessly bombard our northern areas as and when they desire. On the other hand Sharif brothers continue to stick to their own guns by not giving more space to their foe turned friend, Asif Zardari.
There are no signs of change in the VIP culture and its resultant traffic jams causing unnecessary inconvenience to the ordinary citizens, particularly the poor commuters. Corruption remains rampant. Electricity suppliers continue to play the game of hide and seek with their helpless consumers who are forced to pay inflated bills in spite of frequent and prolonged loadshedding episodes. Other utility services also remain crippled and stagnant.