Myopic, Malevolent, Megalomaniac

musharaf wanted the people to elect new faces. he got alot of those attached with intimidating beards.

if fauji incompetance was in doubt, this election shows that they are incompetant beyond doubt. is this the best they could rig up? goes to show, no matter how corrupt or insane BB and NS are, people will listen to them over the voice of a back-door parasitic Jernail.

but that said, sada Imran aavay-e-aavay!

it`ll be interesting to see how the landslide of MMA in the province of NWFP conflicts with the central fauji command on afghanistan.

the worst thing the faujiz could do now would be to annul the elections. though faujiz are capable of such stupidity, it`ll be better if they accept that they are indeed incompetant and cannot even rig properly and let the `new faces` play it out.

Agar koi kehta hai kee Hindustan aur Pakistan mey farak hai, to uss ko aaj ka NYTimes ka issue dikha do. There is a nice photograph of MMA supporters doing Bhangra on occaision of election victory. I am reminded so much of elections in Delhi. We would do Bhangra regardless of winning or loosing. Dhol da music is best.

agree with most of your analysis. dont think that army establishment will be too displeased with the results. success of jehadis will be used to frighten the americans as well as to insure that establishment`s agenda (kashmir jihad, instability in afghanistan and preservation of idealogical frontiers) continues to find traction. Therefore, I dont think the army will be looking to reverse the results of the elections. senile analysts on ptv have already started to fantasize about the prospect of alliance between (q) and religious facist and about the role this alliance will play in defending our islamic fronties. the wildcard is the reaction of the american govt. dont think they will be thrilled with the prospects of jehadis controlling frontier. however, mush risks further alienating popular support if he does not hand power to fundos in nwfp. real tragedy is the lack of political leadership that is ready to confront serious problems. Unfortunately, long-term prospects are not looking good.

Yo, I just checked the results. The PPPP was in the lead till last night but the PML (Q) is much further ahead now. That is very surprising.

Najam Sethi, Editor of The Fridaytimes has writtten intersting piece in tofay`s edition of The Daily Times. He adds a dimention of another myopic vision in the last paragraph that I did not think of when putting together my piece. It is about better bargaining power vis-a-vis USA. But how?

Thank you, Gen Musharraf

By Najam Sethi

Thank you, General Pervez Musharraf, for delivering us from the likes of Nawaz Sharif and handing us over to Qazi Hussain Ahmad and Maulana Fazlur Rehman.

The MMA will be an unprecedented integral element of the National Assembly in days to come. It may well be a partner in the government of Pakistan in Islamabad as well. But, to be sure, it will form the next two governments in the two provinces of the NWFP and Balochistan. In a third, Punjab, it will be a critical part of the ruling coalition in alliance with any one faction of the PML or possibly even with the PPP. And in Karachi it will stage a significant comeback since its ouster in 1981.

It seems that General Musharraf`s rabid anti-PPP and anti-PMLN stance, coupled by his exhortation to the masses to vote-in new faces, was taken to heart by many people. Instead of voting en masse for the lotas or old faces who deserted the PPP and PMLN or were bribed and cajoled to join the PMLQ or King`s Party, many people have voted for the MMA. Indeed, the MMA has wiped out the two mainstream moderate political parties - the PPP and the PML - from the scene in the NWFP and Balochistan.

But thanks for creating a political vacuum into which the MMA has flowed must also go to General Musharraf`s new found American friend, President George Bush, whose pre-emptive anti-Taliban and anti-al-Qaeda policies (read anti-Islam) were equally responsible for nudging the conservative and deeply religious people of these areas into the arms of the MMA. The irony is that when Qazi Hussain Ahmad and Maulana Fazlur Rehman control the levers of power in the frontier regions, including the police and administration, it will become difficult for Islamabad and Washington to enforce their writ in these areas and the task of hunting down the rebellious Taliban and hostile Al-Qaeda will become almost impossible. We may also expect both provinces to unfurl so-called shariah practices that reinforce the negative “image” of Pakistan abroad.

But that`s just for starters. MMA nominees from both the border provinces as well as from the Punjab will probably constitute half the members of the next Senate, or upper house, since each province has an equal number of representatives. That means that the Senate will become not just a springboard for the defense of provincial autonomy as it was meant to be but also for religious activism and orthodoxy which certainly played no part in the dream of the Quaid i Azam to build a modern and moderate Pakistan. Indeed, we may expect the MMA to initiate a host of bills for the “Islamisation” or “Talibanisa-tion” of Pakistan from the floor of the upper House.

I have long argued that politics, like nature, abhors a vacuum, and that by trying to sideline the mainstream, moderate parties, General Musharraf would inevitably pave the way for the immoderate religious parties. This lesson should have been learnt by now but it wasn`t. When the establishment got rid of Benazir Bhutto in 1990, it made way for Nawaz Sharif. When it got rid of Sharif in 1993, it made way for Bhutto. When it got rid of Bhutto in 1996, it made way for Sharif. But when Musharraf got rid of Sharif in 1999 and started to hound Bhutto as well, he made way for the MMA.

But there is a more cynical view that may gain currency. Maybe this is just what the establishment wanted. Two critical provinces bordering Afghanistan with the anti-America MMA so that the establishment can drive a hard bargain with Washington. And coalition governments in the other two provinces in which pro-establishment minorities or majorities can keep “democracy” in check. The armed and unarmed jihadis inside and outside the establishment should be pleased by the election results. Having “lost” Afghanistan, they have now acquired a large base area of their own in their own homeland. They couldn`t have tailored a better outcome for themselves. That is why, in time to come, this “election” may acquire the same ominous significance in the history of Pakistan as the 1970 elections under another “sincere” military dictator.

Sameer, you have a conspiracy theory for everything. This one is ridiculous. Please do not try to interject your prejudices into everything. At least do some research.

PPP and PML have always joined hands with religious parties, when it has suited them. PML(N), even in this election, has seat adjustments with MMA and has put up joint candidates. Religious parties were a partner with PML in the IJI coalation, in previous elections. PPP was a partner with JUI(F), as they jointly created the Taliban.

The MMA hates Musharraf. They have even asked for the army to kick him out. If anything, their victory indicates the transparency of the elections, i.e. the most anti-Musharraf group has ended up winning big. They could upset his whole policy.

Your biases and prejudices are truly amazing, to the point of falsifying truth. And they are very destructive. The MMA has taken the opening that I was hoping the PTI (my party) would take. However, I am still willing to accept the views of the Pakistani voter. Why are you unable to do the same. I dislike maulvi parties and I dislike feudals. But all said and done, the maulvi parties will partially destroy Pakistan, while the feudal parties have completely destroyed it.

It is extremely distressing to see a person with your large reservoir of knowledge attempt to distort truths and produce complete false conspiracy theories, with no facts to back them up. I call this fundamentalism.

rozaiba: People trust Bb and NS more than other leaders for reasons. While the stock market performance, forex reserves and non-stop drumbeats of we-honest-they-corrupt bombards the eardrums, average voter looks accomplishments differently. They look at local level and more visible signs of a politician`s mark on the land. If one simply puts together number of development projects such as schools, colleges, universities, roads, bridges, village electrification, development of water resources, airports etc, the lopsidedness of all things good happening during civilian rules in Pakistan despite being ruled most of its existance by military dictators. The corruption, feudalism and other abuses of powers are given in a society where corruption and some sort of overlordship exists at all levels. For example Zia government did not do a single worth mentioning project during 11 years and despite more than 5 percent of average economic growth rate. Three days ago, a very good journalist, Qaiser Bengali wrote an article in Dawn comparing the economy and accomplishments of civilian and military governments including much poor-rated Z. A. Bhutto`s government. Try to read if from Dawn archives.
dost-mittar: Thanks for, as usual, exaggerated compliments. Once so much data is available for analysis with plenty of footprints of all intrgues, shot sightedness, rigging and tampering, putting together a typed page with size 10 fonts is not that difficult.
stuka: Despite all the pre-poll rigging, Kings` parties were not in a position to put together a government at center and in Punjab and Sindh provinces. Simply plotting a graph of hour by hourprojections during vote counting clearly reveals big time post-poll tampering with ballot boxes in Punjab. The steady plots of PPP (P) and PML (N) took abrupty sharp negative turn after about half of the vote counts. It was more selective against PML (N) who saw their lead in 42 seats down to 21. The situation is worse in Punjab assembly where PNL (Q) numbers went up from 75 to 120 seats. This coincided with total shut down of constant stream of prgression of vote count until the final tally for each constituency was announced. It is not easy to conclude that the progressive counting outcome was sugesting a possibility of PPP (P) and PML (N) coalition gaining majority at center and in Punjab province whereas PPP (P) could have put together a government with independents in Sindh province. However, after official results from Election Comission, it looks possible now to exclude PPP (P), PML (N) and MMA and still form majority under PML (Q) leadership at the center and in Punjab whereas PPP (P) could be excluded in Sindh provicial government also. When the stakes are this high, the tipping of balance with fraudulent results is predictable from authorities that made every efforts in the last three years to keep PPP and PML (N) out of power.
For example, your buddy Ayaz Amir of Dawn was winning handsomely in Chakwal on PML (N) ticket until a blackout of further counting was applied. Then after 6 hours of balckout of unofficial counting, his opponent of PML (Q) was declared winner by a margin of 1000 votes. Now since Ayaz Amir won 69,000 votes, his opponent was awarded 70,000 votes making the overall turnout artificially passing 60 percent in his constituency when the nationwide turnout is between 15-30 percent. Samething happened in Kasur where Khurshed Mahmood Kasuri was declared winner by a 1000 votes despite losing all day of counting.
Even within Sarkari party, PML (Q) tremendous deep intrigue is so obvious from the results. A particular baradri or tribal affiliation, Jats were made winners more often and their traditional tribal based opponents within PML (Q), AraiNs were made to lose all over including the party chief Mian Azhar. The Jat rut was made possible under the leadership of Chaudhrys of Gujrat in collaboration of Musharraf`s Principal secretary, Punjab Chief Secretary, Punjab Election Comissioner and many other high Jat officials. The PML (Q) winners in Punjab Assemby are predominantly Jats and PML (Q) losers in Punjab assembly are mostly AraiN and other tribal identities.
faisaluno: Thanks for your supportive comments.

I agree with your logic, but not the conclusion that the election results will be annuled. On the other hand a weak (hung) parliament, favors military, then why would they help create a realtively stronger parliament. And nothing is more threatening to them than the coalition of PML and PPP. If PPP and PML are both pro-USA, according to your logic, then why would USA need the despot. He will be out as soon as a PML-PPP coalition government is formed.

Romair:

Yaar, all said and done how come there is such a big difference between yesterday`s tallies and todays results? this happened in front of our eyes...whole duniya cannot be made a chutiya of...kuch to ghapla kee hai.

Is there any website giving latest news???

THE BAASTARD IS DEFINITELY A CLOSET FUNDAMENTALIST.

In India, after Seshan, the procedure is, the votes from polling booths are first brought to designated counting centres, mixed and then counted. This is for 2 reasons I presume. Firstly so that political parties cannot identify and declare vendettas on neighbourhoods which didnot vote for them and secondly, the counting process can be scrutinized better at fewer locations to prevent fraud.

In Pakistan reportedly the voting took place in 64,000? polling booths and counting also took place at every such polling booth. Any official explanation why?

Also, if the next elections are held in time, this verdict is not patthar ki lakeer.

re: romair

{Sameer, you have a conspiracy theory for everything. This one is ridiculous. Please do not try to interject your prejudices into everything. At least do some research.}

...hehe...far from it...sameer`s posts are always logical and based on facts...yours are full of selective facts and some gol maal logic mixed in...

From USA Today, indicating - for one thing - that an average 30% turnout is just that, an average..

Among the hitches:

* Villagers in Sangjani, most of them illiterate, struggled to understand how to mark the green paper ballots. ``They don`t know what they`re doing, these people,`` said an exasperated Saurriya Amjid, the election official presiding over the separate women`s polling station here. Her assistants patiently instructed villagers how to use the ballots. Turnout here was expected to exceed 50%. What the villagers want: clean water, electricity and better schools.

* Rizwan Ahmed, 28, arrived at the polls at an Islamabad public school Thursday morning only to be informed to his surprise that he had already voted. He alerted a group of journalists, who descended on the presiding election officer, demanding an explanation. Another voter overheard the ruckus and revealed that he, too, was named Rizwan Ahmed. The mess was quickly revealed as a case of confused identities. Election officials allowed both men`s votes -- for anti-Musharraf parties.

Dost-Mittar
One reason for the early gains by the MMA might have been early tallies from the places that they would be expected to make gains.. the NWFP plus/minus Baluchistan. Karachi, for its part, was a Jamaat vote bank until the advent of the MQM. Perhaps this result will make the QMers reflect upon their misdeeds of the past.
The result still looks like a dead heat betwixt the Quisling group and the Parliamentarians. Makhdoon Fahim is still favoured for the PM slot. Question is, would the Pipians and Leaguers be able to join together to form a government, hopefully leaving the MMA relatively in the cold. Or will the admin lean on the Quislings to ally with the MMA? I certainly hope not.
Tampering... probably was. And probably relatively minor. Everyone agrees that while a cobbled together, artificial creation, the Quisling group was nontheless made up of vote winners. Perhaps in a couple of places, officials inflated numbers. Unfortunate. Anyone remember the thousands of `disappeared` voters in the last US election?
People doubted the elections would occur. They happened. People said there would be coercion, etc. There wasn`t.
Conspiracy theories are usually that.. theories. Far better for Musharraf to have aranged an outright win for the MMA, no? Then he could have pulled an Algeria.
Blame my naivete, but I do think that things will get better. And I still think that Musharraf is NOT the megalomaniacal, malevolent entity the ultra-liberal elite choose to paint him as. Occasionally myopic, though..

Here is a sample of what is going on right now. Humayun Akhtar is billionaire sone of a former honest General, Akhtar Abdul Rehman who was killed in plane crash alongwith Zia. He was considered the mastermind behind Afghan war against Russians and popularized as ``Khamosh Mujahd``, though making enough money to make his sons industrial giants. This is from Nation daily.

Humayun wins in final count
By Our Staff Reporter
LAHORE–PML(QA) candidate from NA-125 Humayun Akhtar has won the election in the final count announced by the Election Commission.
For the City, it was the biggest surprise of the day as according to the late-night reports and results, Humayun had not only lost to PML(N) candidate Akram Zaki, but slipped behind even PPP candidate Naveed Chaudhry.
These results were announced by all the newspapers and TV channels.
However, in the final count Humayun won by a narrow margin, causing tumult in the political circles.
The PML leaders, Akram Zaki and Farakh Shah, termed the turnaround as part of pre-poll rigging.
They said the delay in the announcement of the results made it clear that some sort of underhand trickery has been going on to change the results .
The PML(N) will hold a protest meeting at Walton on Saturday (today) against the election results.
The PML(N) will hold a Press conference on the same theme the same day.