No Mid-term Polls
By the Editor

GOING by his traditional style of firm standpoint on diverse topics, backed by crystal-clear perceptions—Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has ruled out the possibility of snap elections, saying that there is political stability in the country and constitutional institutions were working independently.

Talking to newsmen at Okara, he made it clear that the question of holding mid-term elections does not arise—while schedule for Local Bodies polls is under process.

Even before, various Government spokesmen had been denying enthusiastic statements—explicitly emanating from Lahore—that 2005 is going to be the election year.

But now that a clear-cut statement has been made by no less a person than the chief executive of the country—the pointless controversy, which has generated a lot of uncertainty, should die down and—virtually come to an end.

We say so because statements regarding mid-term polls, which were reflective of the wishful thinking on the part of a set of people, had opened frivolous discussions in the political circles.

And if kept—unchecked for a long period these could have destabilizing effect on the ongoing process of economic take-off in Pakistan.

Every pragmatic mind would like to accentuate that as a matter of principle each elected government must have amiable environs—to complete its constitutional tenure.

In fact, comprehensive initiatives taken by the Government in different spheres of life demand continuity and constancy not only up to 2007 but—if the need be, beyond that.

As everyone is well-acquainted with the fact that Pakistan’s biggest problems have been and still are; poverty and unemployment.

Following decades of negligence on the part of successive governments to tackle these menaces—one sees a ray of hope at the end of the tunnel.

Thus, this light should not be allowed to extinguish as people, who had been the worst victim of abrupt change of governments and their policies, have pinned great hopes on the present set-up and its vision.

Amid this insight, we would like to suggest that let the Government work freely to translate dream of the people about economic peace, progress and prosperity into a reality.

Everybody agrees that if we would miss the existing opportunity—there may not be another opening for Pakistan to march ahead on the road to seek affluence—for all and that too on the national level.

So, in case the aspirants are really serious on the amelioration of the lot of the common man in Pakistan—which seemingly they are—they are ought to wait till the present assemblies complete their constitutional tenure to keep the process of continuity intact.

Of-course, such a course would be logically viable and excellent for all segments, attached with the national polity and are associated or affiliated with any party—they wish for.

By waiting for another two years—the egalitarians would be opening vistas for a solid, secure and stable democratic set-up in Pakistan. Isn't it so?● 

 -  Mumtaz Hamid Rao
www.MumtazRao.net