New Parties in Power in Pakistan and the Implications for Democracy
February 25, 2008
By Jane Clark | Printer Friendly

Following the February 18, 2008 election in Pakistan, the leaders of the two new majority parties, the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and a faction of the Pakistan Muslim League (PML), have agreed to form a power sharing deal.  As reported in a February 22, 2008 Washington Post article, Asif Ali Zardari of the PPP and Nawaz Sharif of the PML have agreed to put aside old rivalries to “make a stronger Pakistan.”  One of their first collaborative efforts will be to reinstate the judges that were fired during the November 2007 state of emergency (see Hundreds of Lawyers Arrested in Pakistan).  Although they have not said so explicitly, they will probably attempt to reinstate Pakistan’s Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudry.

The Washington Post writes that there is still speculation over whether they will push to impeach President Pervez Musharraf.  Lawyers have been rallying in several cities, calling for his resignation.  Analysts in Pakistan have stated that Musharraf’s “moment for an honorable exit is long past.”  Musharraf’s spokesman has said that Musharraf wants to avoid confrontation and will eventually transition out of politics in “a peaceful and civil manner,” but he will not resign under pressure.  According to a New York Times article, he promises to work with the coalition, but believes that his presence is still necessary for establishing a stable democracy in Pakistan.  It is likely that attempts to impeach him could not succeed, because the PPP and PML do not have the necessary numbers to impeach him.  The PPP does not want to move against him unless they have sufficient support.

A February 24, 2008 Washington Post article writes that the United State Government is in the process of rethinking its role in Pakistan.  The State Department has made it clear that it does not plan to abandon Musharraf, but it also emphasizes that it will work with the new party leaders, the army, and civil society.  Senator Joseph Biden has advocated tripling non-military aide with a focus on schools, roads and health care.  He wants the new government to get early support in the democracy formation process. 

Waleed Ziad argues in a New York Times op-ed that supporting democracy in the government is the first step in a much longer process.  He advocates reaching out to community leaders in volatile tribal areas by asking them how we can best direct assistance to them.  Many of the people in these areas do not support the military or the extremists, but also do not approve of the way that our government has conducted its anti-terrorism efforts, which have lead to the killing and injuring of countless civilians.  Many tribal leaders want support for humanitarian projects, such as schools for girls.  Non-profits like the Central Asia Institute (see link below) have supported those efforts, but the US government could provide sustained support for humanitarian projects as well.  Promised development aid has not reached civilians, and they have started to believe that the fighting is not about helping them, but about the interests of “Busharraf.”  Long term democracy in Pakistan will come about through efforts of the people.  If we work with them, we will find that the “challenges of fighting the militants and rebuilding credibility may not be as daunting as they seem.”

Links:

Washington Post: Pakistan's Rival Opposition Parties Agree to Form Governing Coalition

New York Times: Pakistan's Victors May Lack Strength to Oust Musharraf

Washington Post: Pakistan's Political Coalition Means New Challenges for U.S.

New York Times: In Pakistan, Islam Needs Democracy

Central Asia Institute