A Great Day, A New Hope for Pakistan Pakistan has a fair way to go before we can declare any day to be great. Refreshing perhaps but great would be a gross over statement. These elections were a sour pill which general musharaf had to take; pressured by international community and political parties he had little if no option. The landscape doesnt look any different then that of 1980. The coalition of PML-N and PPP will face grave challenges in the light of petroleum, energy, wheat, water, employment and extremist threats.

What is sad that there hasnt been any radical change in the direction of our country; same thugs are back from exile and now are the new defenders of democracy. But what option do we as citizens have; Mr Zardari looks a changed man perhaps the responsibility of leading the PPP has left a profound impact on his personality and judgement; surely hope so. The deposed Chief Justice became the protector of judiciary only when his actions were put under scrutiny. Not long back our heroic CJ took oath under the first Emergency order; but hush we are not suppose to talk about this.

The fact is that pakistan faces grave challenges. Even if petrol is sold at Rs 100 a litre it is still cheaper then the international market; and the goverment would still need to subsidies it at that rate. This summer the energy crisis is expected to be the worst in this countrys history. The wave of suicide bomb attacks is the gift of general musharaf's policies of pleasing the west and the USA. He has only looked after his personal intrests and has in his thirst for power left this country on the very brink of disaster.

Lets all hope and pray that the newly elected members will act wisely to face these challenges. And abandon the politics of hate; self gratification and personal gains. Security First, Energy First, Water First, Food First, Jobs First, and above all my dear friends Pakistan First