ASIA/PAKISTAN - Change in Pakistan’s political scene following elections

Islamabad (Agenzia Fides) - The political scene in Pakistan, a key country in the geo-political balance of south Asia, rapidly changed following elections on February 18. The popular vote, according to the most recent statistics, has been the Pakistan People’s Party, that of the assassinated leader Benazhir Bhutto, with 87 seats in Parliament, while the Pakistan Muslim League-N, of former premier Nawaz Sharif, took 66 seats. The party of President Musharraf has been left with 39 seats, as well as a considerable drop in political influence. According to analysts, the vote is a reflection of the society’s growing lack of satisfaction that has been observed in recent months, in respect to the ex-general’s leadership.
The representatives from the two parties who have won the greater number of seats, now talk to “join democratic forces” and form a governmental coalition, given that united, they control over 50% of the National Assembly.
The Parliamentary coalition could lose its trust in President Musharraf, who faces accusations of corruption, abuse of office, and illegitimately imposing martial law on the country. Parliament does, in fact, have the power to begin an impeachment process. For his part, the ex-general has manifested his support of the creation of a “harmonious coalition” and of “a stable government,” and has announced his decision to remain at the head of the country.
This environment is also home to the religious minority groups that continue to live in tense and unstable conditions and hope that the new government, through a re-establishment of values such as freedom, respect for human rights and democracy, can create a social climate with security, protection of rights, and absence of discriminations with respect to the minority communities.
The Peace and Justice Commission of the Pakistani bishops was present in the electoral campaign, asking that the faithful pray and participate as citizens in the legitimate process of social and political construction of the country. (PA) (Agencia Fides 21/2/2008; righe 26, parole 317)