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With the PML-Q, derisively referred to as the "King's party" for backing President Pervez Musharraf, heading towards the exit, the Daily Times carried a banner headline that read: "All the King's men, gone!"
"President Pervez Musharraf's political allies, the PML-Q, appear to have lost their grip over the country's parliament, with the Pakistan People's Party (of slain leader Benazir Bhutto) and the PML-N (of former Premier Nawaz Sharif) overtaking the 'bicycle' in the election race," the Daily
Times wrote. The bicycle was the PML-Q's election symbol.
The News, another leading English daily, summed up the stunning results as: "Democracy takes revenge". It was an apparent reference to a remark made by Bhutto's son Bilawal, who was named the PPP Chairman after her death.
As official and unofficial results were tabulated, it emerged that PPP and PML-N had gained the most.
A front-page comment in The News titled "The Writing on the Wall" said: "All the collaborators and their henchmen, barring a few in urban protected political pockets, have been wiped out in a historic sweep of the nation against General (retired) Pervez Musharraf and his obstinate rule.
"In less than 12 months since the fateful day of March 9 last year, when the then General had invaded the country's apex court and attacked its Chief Justice, every concerned patriot watched him slide down the tube, one step after another. People were vainly hoping that he would wake up to the reality."
Several PML-Q stalwarts had to bite the dust in Monday's polls. PML-Q chief and former premier Chowdhry Shujaat Hussain, Musharraf aide and former railway minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, former foreign minister Khurshid M Kasuri and former National Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Amir Hussain were among prominent PML-Q leaders who fell by the wayside.
Some other stories in the newspaper were headlined thus: "Nation Votes for Change", "How the mighty fell", "A Referendum against Musharraf" and "Silent Revolution, Sweet Revenge".
"Simply remarkable! The power of vote has outshone the powers-that-be. A silent revolution of the silent majority has struck Pakistan and the otherwise voiceless people have said a big but decisive 'No'," said a report in The News.
The Pakistan Post wrote about "Goliaths who fell" and Business Recorder about "Musharraf allies face shocking defeat in vote".
A leading daily described Sharif's triumphant return in a report headlined "Lion roars again". The PPP's performance at the hustings was also acknowledged with an apt headline: "PPP comes home".
Bhutto had returned to Pakistan from self-exile in October last year to lead her party in the election campaign but was assassinated in a suicide attack two months later.
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RatingA good beginning regardless of the uncertainties ahead. Democracies are built on democratic instituitions as well as democratic sentiment. Pakistan has a long way to go. Instiuitional framework of checs and balances needs to be built by the new parliament and the President while people need to learn that for democracy to succeed, both the rights and responsibilities of the common citizen must be deemed sacred.
Democracy is not suitable for Islamic countries since these so called democratic Govts are controlled by fundamentalist Mullahs. It is proved time and again in Pak, Bangla, Malaysia, Indonesia, Iran etc. Musharaf is the best man for Pakistan and he should continue as head of PAK
Musharraf is no idiot. You seriously think he hung on to power for this long simply with US support? He is a cunning and wily operator. Don't get me wrong, the day he did Kargil, I developed a strong and un-relenting hatred for this man. The point I am trying to make is that he possibly has a plan for this scenario also. Mark my words... less than 5 months from now, the "new" PM of Pakistan will either be eliminated like Benazir or will get sacked for corruption like so many PM's before. He still has the authority to dissolve the parliament. He is a sleazy person, do you really put it above him to do that? He would do that in a heart beat to save his hold on to power. So just wait and watch... I am going to have fun at their expense. It is a good show, your enemy making an ass of themselves is always awesome.
Just a clarification. I did not mean to say that "we" or the "Indians" kill Musharraf or any such thing. We don't play such deadly and inhumane games. He will be taken care of by his own people, like Zia was. Nobody really believed the "Accident" theory in Zia's death.
The badmen always betray- the legends fall and meek inherit the earth-that's what Alla told in Koran!The pinchett of pakistan-the darling of Wash-Lon the tormenter
Pakistan does not seem to have a bright future under the present political leadership. All these leaders were tested before and they are no less corrupt and represent only the elites of that country. They repeatedly sacrificed their country and its people for their personal benefit. The other alternative is the Islamists, worst among the lot. Only new generation of Pakistani leaders free from feudal mentality and religious fundamentalism can save that country. But that is a long-term process.
Real Democracy in a country like Pakistan is unlikely to be seen. For a democracy to flourish, there must be just one power center (PM/President) which should adequately represent the people of the country. Rest of the pillars of the constitution like Judiciary, Military, Intellegence etc should honestly support that one power center. However, in Pakistan's case it is opposite. There are many power centers such as ISI, Millitary, President, Madarsas etc etc, and the Prime Minister is the weakest of all. Any dictator in Pakistan can amend the constitution to suite his wishes and political ambition. With such a fragile past which has been replicated several times, it will difficult for democracy to unfold in Pakistan. Furthermore, democracy stands on the pillar of liberal society which is yet to take its roots in Pakistan. Anyway, lets hope for the best even if this is a beginning, its a welcome happening.
It is pathetic to know that south asian media is so mediocre and myopic. No democracy has taken any revenge in pakistan; Pakis were never interested in democracy. Actually mush policies of being pro US in compulsion and so actions against islamist in order to be an ally in war against terror has resulted in the defeat of Musharraf. The real game starts now: Mush, who was sandwiched between US and domestic islamists, has managed to escape without being killed. In current situations, leading pakistan is not an enjoyment of power but a burden. Whoever next becomes head of the country will have to be sandwiched between US and domestic islamist militia. He/she should be ready for alternate lashes from western nations and domestic islamists.
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