Editorial
PML (N) wins Pak election
Can it bring the promised change?
IT seems PML (N) may be able to form coalition government. With whom is the question? There are many firsts in the Pakistan elections which the Newaz Sharif's Muslim League has won, but without a clear majority. It was the first time that transition of power has taken place through ballot. And for the first time PPP had to settle for a third position. Imran Khan's Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) has come second, but had a quantum jump in terms of the number of National Assembly seats. Pakistani voters deserve compliments for defying the threats from the extremists.
Running the country must the most unenviable job in Pakistan. And while we congratulate Mr. Newaz Sharif and his party's return to power, he will need support from across the board to bring the changes which he promised before election, and which the voter wants.
Internally, religious elements, that call the shots in some parts of the country and have a strong influence on politics in the rest, will have to be neutralised. Their stand on women issues poses perhaps the greatest threat to the integrity of Pakisan society.
Externally, Sharif needs to handle the US deftly, which, by its presence in Afghanistan and its influence in the region, has virtually become a regional player. It will be interesting to see how he goes about stopping future US drone attacks inside Pakistan, and what his position would be on US global war on terror, issues that he will find good support in the PTI.
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