Congratulations! Pakistan is officially under complete civilian rule after 8 long years of a military ruler atop a civilian parliament.
Although he claimed he would do it… the moment did come as a surprise. This is an epoch making moment in Pakistan’s chequered political history: A military ruler has successfuly transformed himself into a civilian ruler. Credit should be given to him … despite all the cynicism because this is an unprecedented event for a military dictator. Infact the only military dictator in the history of the Muslim World who took off his uniform was Mustapha Kemal Ataturk in 1927… 80 years ago.
For those of us who are opposed to Musharraf’s rule… this has come as a welcome change. Ofcourse… problems continue… Martial law is still in place but I suspect the constitution will be restored tomorrow. The issue of judges will remain for some time to come, but I am hoping a PPP led government will restore them at some future date.
What is now needed are free and fair elections. These elections must be free, fair and impartial as per the western standards. They should be monitored by international bodies to determine the impartiality of the elections. One thing is certain: elections will go ahead and the opposition will participate with the exception of Imran Khan ofcourse… whose decision of not participating I completely disagree with. But that is another story
