The easy victory of Finance Minister Shaukat Aziz to the National Assembly seats from Attock and Tharparker constituencies is no surprise as in our political history a bye-election victory invariably falls in the lap of the ruling party, in this case the restructured Pakistan Muslim League.
The polling was low and turnout slow which the Opposition attributed to the gunning down of three PPPP supporters participating in an election rally just a few days before the voting day. This, it is argued, froze the heat of electioneering among the opposition ranks.
It was a welcome gesture on the part of the Prime Minister-designate that in his first interaction with the press immediately after the unofficial announcement of his victory, as aired by a TV channel, he expressed concern at the loss of precious human lives and injury to others and offered to condole with the aggrieved families in due course of time.
Such a step would indeed set a new precedent in our politics frequently marked by rising tide of violence.
The gesture apart, the election of Shaukat Aziz to be the next prime minister in the coming week will be an event of great significance. It denotes several things. A banking executive proving himself a financial healer is now crowned with the highest office in a parliamentary democracy of running the entire affairs of the country - no doubt under the protective guidance and oversight of General Pervez Musharraf.
It is for the first time in country's history that a financial expert sits at the helm of affairs. Shaukat Aziz has shown his ingenuity as Finance Minister by rescuing the economy from a deep morass.
Now he is to prove his mettle in the political field where some seasoned hands are expected to assist.
This elevation, although a selection by the president, has undoubtedly been earned. It is well known that during the Jamali government, it was indeed Shaukat that was running the show.
The ministry of finance has an all pervasive role in the federal government. All economic decisions, whether relating to agriculture, industries, communications, commerce or any other domain are decided in the Economic Co-ordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet, that the finance minister chairs.
Privatisation issues are decided in the Cabinet Committee on Privatisation (CCoP) and matters relating to investment in the Cabinet Committee on Investment (CCoI), both of which are chaired by the finance minister.
This is the norm that every finance minister does, however, during the Jamali government's tenure even issues like sorting out problems of Afghan transit trade and its negative list too were put on his plate.
The other important portfolios such as defence, Kashmir and northern areas, interior and foreign affairs, although headed by civilian ministers are under the control of the cabinet more as a formality than reality.
Further, his elevation is recognition of the importance of economy in today's state-craft. Well known in the world of high finance, Shaukat enjoys a favourable edge for the country, especially after the healing touch the economy received as finance minister.
In the context of international forums, Shaukat Aziz will be a highly suitable symbol of a forward-looking and progressive Pakistan wedded to enlightened moderation of Islam.
Needless to say that within the country, under his leadership the economic reform agenda would be strengthened, continuity of policies doubly reassured, good governance and accountability would be the watchwords.
Apart from the daunting tasks of poverty reduction, the vision of a high growth trajectory, a better deal for the deprived sections of society and higher investment for accelerated growth, an equally heavy agenda awaits him in the social and political fields.
Rooting out sectarianism, terrorism, religious bigotry and fanaticism has to go side by side in nurturing a political culture of tolerance and accommodation and, above all, fortifying the democratic institutions - these are some of the many pressing problems besetting our country but then quite a few of these problems would lie more in Musharraf's than his domain.
It would indeed be an achievement if he is able to bring about a lessening of the disharmony between the federating units that ails the federation. We wish him good luck and God speed.