Sunday, February 17, 2008

Open Thread: The Pakistan Elections 2008



February 18th is the date set for the General Elections in Pakistan. It is also the date when politics in Pakistan will enter a new epoch, the epoch when masses will come out to challenge the class that has oppressed and tyrannized them for generations.

The campaign of the largest party of Pakistan, the party that is supported by the downtrodden and exploited working class, the Pakistan People's Party, is in full swing and is reaching new heights never seen before.

The assassination of Benazir Bhutto on 27th December 2007 and the events that followed have sparked a new wave of revolutionary enthusiasm and awakening of the masses. The public meetings of the PPP are attracting the masses in their hundreds of thousands. Every street and road echoes with the slogan of Jiye Bhutto! (Long Live Bhutto!). The tricolour flag of the PPP adorns most of the streets and roads throughout the whole country. The revolutionary election campaign of the Marxists is also having an impact and posing a challenge to the capitalist class.RENEGADE EYE

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

the arrival of a party with revolutionary ideas like the PPP to power, would be a tremendous success to all leftist movements in the world.

All Power to the People

Graeme said...

PPP is the best bet in Pakistan, but I don't know if they will change anything. They've had plenty of chances.

Graeme said...

i should add, assuming the elections are legit. That is certainly not a safe assumption. I think Pakistanis are much more liberal than the media tends to portray them as.

Frank Partisan said...

Darkosym: Thank you for visiting. The events in Lebanon seem to be moving as MFL says, either to civil war or adventurism against Israel.

Graeme: The leadership of the PPP, leaves much to be desired.

In areas run by my comrades, there were no aimless riots after Bhutto was shot. There was peaceful rallying.

The idea Benazir wasn't assasinated, is to deny her martyrdom. She was hit by a sniper.

David G said...

Benazir's death was predictable but very unfortunate. In a country like Pakistan, the implications for the future are dire.

Perhaps America, in the future, might want to take it down...no, of course not!

Pakistan can fight back.

Cheers.

Jobove - Reus said...

Much I am afraid that this choices(elections) are not completely democratic that deberia to wait, when they murder the politicians, the democracy even stays far and an elecciones to sound to farce

V said...

Though I voted for PPP today, I consider it a stretch to term PPP as a Party with 'revolutionary ideas'. The track record of PPP, and even their present situation, will make it suitable for social-democratic/national-bourgeois party, at the most (some people will even consider that an exaggeration).

I support PPP as it stands against the King's Party (PML-Q) and religious fundamentalists. To ascribe more attributes to PPP than the afore-mentioned is a over-rating the role of PPP. It's highly important for people living abroad to guard themselves from one-sided and subjective reporting of the small factions of PPP, who have gained a name in Pakistan for exaggeration and 'over-acting'.

http://reddiarypk.wordpress.com/

Frank Partisan said...

Té la mà Maria - Reus: I do know that the Taliban printed fake IDs. We are running candidates in Taliban area, with a platform against Islamism and imperialism.

David G: Thank you for visiting. Do you have a blog?

V: Thank you for visiting.

The Pakastan Marxist Tendency has thousands of members, in the unions, schools, all the big cities, with comrades speaking every language.

The PPP has a revolutionary tradition. The people support it, on the basis of the program of Benazir's father.

Frank Partisan said...

PPP Objects to Delayed Results: Protests Electoral Fraud

http://www.ppp.org.pk/news_event/feb/19-2-2008.html

Islamabad, February 19, 2008: The Pakistan Peoples Party has strongly objected to the delayed result on the bulk of the constituencies by the Election Commission of Pakistan, as well as targetted rigging on several constituencies that deprived the major political parties of seats.

" This pattern of final results held back, while clear outcomes have been called by the media is very disturbing. It signals a trend similar to 1988 and 2002 when instead of results coming in by midnight, the official results for many of the seats was held back for 24 hours. By midnight, in fact, less than a dozen NA results had been officially announced, which is proof of manipulation on a certain percentage of seats," said Sherry Rehman, Central information Secretary of the PPP.

" We noticed a very high degree of electoral fraud on voters lists where in all the big cities PPP supporters found their names missing from the electoral rolls. We also witnessed alarming accounts of ballot stuffing in many constituencies, particularly in NA 202 Shikarpur where Aftab Shaban Mirani was initially leading with a large margin. Murtaza Satti' s NA 50 and Zammarud Khan's NA 54 and Chaudhry Manzur's NA 139 suffered the same , while so did Nisar Khuro's PS 36 in Larkana, NA 250, NA 246, NA 249, NA240, NA250, NA 53, NA 201 and Hyderabad saw the results change with blatant use of violence & ballot stuffing at the stations by evening. The PPP will tabulate all the seats where such rigging and violations of the code of conduct took place in detail once all the details are in.

" The party also saw 29 killed on polling day itself, while over 300 were injured in violence unleashed at polling stations.The party has lost over 600 people in the run-up to this poll, including the tragic assassination of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed, while the government stood back and watched. This has been a very bloody contest, and while the PPP had gone into this election under protest, it will contact all allies and political forces to consult for a consensus position in order to seek a peaceful transition to a strengthened parliamentary democracy..

Frank Partisan said...

CENTRAL ELECTION MONITORING CELL

PAKISTAN PEOPLES PARTY

Synopsis of Major Complaints Received

February 18, 2008 @ Close of Poll

Trends

Political Violence (Murder, Kidnapping, Harassment) : HIGH

Ballots Snatching: HIGH

Voters Lists Issues: HIGH

PPP Supporters arrested in NA 101

PPP workers, activists and polling agents have been arrested in NA-101

PPP supporters and PSF members arrested in NA-118

Office bearers of PSF, polling agents of PPP candidate NA-118 have been arrested by Police.

Forced occupation on polling stations

I n NA-265 (Sui, Pat feeder , Dera Bugti), the local administration including the MI people forcibly occupied all the polling stations of the constituency and abducted most of our polling agents. They also forcibly send Haji Manu Khan, Chief Polling Agent of our candidate out of the said District and when some of our polling agents in the morning tried to enter the polling station, they were told that as the ballot boxes were already made full so there is no need of polling.

Police robbery/Broken seal of ballot bags NA 202 /Shikar Pur

The seal of ballot bags were broken at 6.45 am today as Mr. Aftab Shahban Mirani has reported that Mr. Elias Ajjana Presiding Officer od PS 75 GPS Hazar Khan Chanmdio has admitted that an ASI Police has taken away 6 books. Three of the books were NA consisting of 300 votes and three books for PS, 300 votes totaling 600 votes.

Forced occupation on polling stations

In NA-262, Qilla Abdullah, candidates from three different tribes has captured 25 polling stations of PB-12, PB-13 Qilla Abdullah Balochistan. Our male/female polling agents have been beaten brutally.

Independent candidate Wali Mohammad Ghabezai has captured 5 polling stations. Zamurk Achakzai of ANP has captured 11 polling stations and Mohammad Usman Kakozai has captured 4 polling stations. Please take immediate action to revamp the status of ECP as there is no time left.

High handedness in NA-51, Gujar Khan

Raja Pervez Ashraf, Secretary General Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians is contesting elections from NA – 51 (Gujar Khan) and has reported that worst kind of highhandedness and "Goondaism" is rampant at Mohra Noori Polling Station (Union Council Mohra Noori), since the start of the polling today. Mr. Qasim Javaid s/o Mr. Javed Ikhlas, District Nazim Rawalpindi has blocked the Polling Station with armed ruffians who have been stationed at the polling station and the public at large is not being allowed entry there.

Clashes in PS-57 Sindh

In Provincial Constituency of Sindh No PS-57, GPR Haji Qasim Soomro where from our candidate Dr. Zulfiqar Mirza is contesting his opponents being supported by the defunct and caretaker governments created commotions and after clashes procured the closure of electoral process. Kindly take immediate action through Army Patrolling within the constituency and get the polling restored by directing the concerned returning / presiding officers.

Poll day rigging/ Dera Bugti, Balochistan

In the constituency of NA-265 Dera Bugti Balochistan, out of 51 polling stations, only at three polling stations in the Town of Sui is taking place while in other polling stations such as polling Station Yaru Put, polling Station Jani Beri, PSRD 238, PS Mari, PS Dilbar Mut, PS Sindhar, PS Uchh, PS Peb, PS Loti, PS Tilli Matt, no polling is taking place and the entire polling staff is stuffing the ballot boxes at Dera Bugti Headquarter in favour of Ahmedan Bugti of the PML-Q.

Postal Ballots snatched in NA-52 / PP-6 Rawalpindi

In the subject constituencies at polling stations Girja Dhamiyaal and Garja etc, the PML-Q candidate Raja Basharat has literally taken charge of the polling stations and his henchmen have snatched the ballot papers and are affixing stamp on the Bicycle and stuffing the ballot boxes after ousting the polling agents of Khurram Perzaiz Ashraf, PPP candidate, S/O Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Secretary General, PPPP.

Such practice in other polling stations has also been reported. Kindly take immediate action and restore polling for the genuine voters and enable them to cast their votes.

Bulk Stamping in NA-50 / PP-1 (Murree)

Our candidate Murtaza Satti of NA Constituency and Shafqat Abbasi of Provincial Assemble caught hold of Ziafat khan s/o m. yousaf while carrying ballot papers in Bulk stamping on the symbol of Bicycle in Favour of PML-Q candidate Javed Iqbal of NA and Sardar SAjid for PP. he was handed over to the presiding officer of Polling Station Char Haan New Murree, Mohammad Shafique. The presiding officer called the police and handed over Ziafat Khan along with the ballot papers which were thus sought to be stealthily inserted into the ballot boxes.

Bogus Votes caught red handed in PS-36 Larkana

Our Candidate Mr. Nisar Khoru, a prominent PPP leader, caught hold of bogus voters who with fake National Identity Cards attempting to cast their votes in favour of PML-Q candidate. The workers of PML-Q instead attacked Mr. Nisar Khoru and beat him up, retrieving the bogus voters right under the noose of the law enforcing agencies. This outrageous assault is the worst tyranny let loose on PPP candidates which is culpable in law. Kindly direct action, ensure registration of criminal case against the culprits so that an atmosphere of normalcy facilitates the electoral process to proceed to its ultimate culmination.

Poll day rigging / NA-216, Khair Pur Sindh

The Ahmed Ali senior vice president Union Council Chunko has reported that in his Union Council at polling station Mehrab Chandio, the Pakistan Peoples Party candidates, polling agents have been turned out by the workers of Saddardin Shah, candidate PML-F. There is neither any police nor rangers on duty to retrieve the situation. Sajid Ali Bamber, the PPP candidate contesting against S/O the president of PML-F is thus sought to be robbed of his victory which is otherwise on the anvil in view of the complete swing of voters after consequent to the martyrdom of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto. Kindly take immediate action and direct the Army supervision in the constituency so as to allow flow of voters to cast their votes freely and without hindrance.

Complaint –Bogus Votes forcefully stamped and polled

It has been reported to the Election Monitoring Cell of PPP that in PPP stronghold constituency PS-6 in the following polling stations the ballot papers are stamped after ousting PPP polling agents:

Rais Ibrahim Chachar
Peeral Sanghar
Allah Dino kaladi
Arbab Kaladi
Mathelo
Dhamaji
Feed Farm Mathelo

Polling Stations forcefully closed, Agents ousted and indiscriminate firing It has been reported to the Election Monitoring Cell of PPP that in PPP stronghold constituency PS-6 the following polling stations Polls were closed forcefully after the political agents were ousted and indiscriminate firing:

Irrigation coloney
Punjoo Labano
QadirPur Primary School (Female)
QadirPur Primary School (Male)
Panjoo Bagh
Allah Wasio Chachar
Gamrro
Abdullah Lakhan
Ayub Lakhan

We have reports that the local candidate of PMLQ has been involved in the above incidents. The polling agents of PPP were also severely injured in this

incident. Over 100 people have been reported to be severely injured.

Intimidation Harrassment in PS 32 KHAIRPUR II- CONSTITUENCY

A grave complaint has been received by the Central Election Monitoring Cell- PPP Islamabad from the above titled constituency. It is indeed sad that due to the non-partisanship of the Election Commission of Pakistan it has miserably failed to ensure a free, fair and transparent election. Mr. Manzoor Wassan, a PPP candidate from the aforementioned constituency is being constantly harassed and intimidated by the police officials in connivance with the district administration; both actively working against the PPP candidates/loyalists. The ‘Kings Party’ candidates are on a rampage and their henchmen have assaulted several workers of the said PPP candidate; notwithstanding causing severe injuries on several PPP workers. This is only to create panic at the polling stations so that the voters refrain from exercising their right of franchise as guaranteed by the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

Poll day rigging / NA-83, Faisalabad

The presiding officer Chishtiyaan Park Barkat pura MS Shahnaz at the women polling station along with her brother were caught red handed in stamping ballot

papers in the favour of Mushtaq Cheema, PML-Q candidate. The polling agents / supporters of our candidates Ejaz Virk appraised inspector Ali Asghar who

witnessing the criminal misdeed arrested them while committing the crimes along with the ballot papers in bulk containing the PMl-q stamps. Mr. Mushtaq is seeking to rescue the presiding officer and her brother and thus cover up the crime to allow the bogus polling rampant in the national Assembly constituency. Kindly ensure that the criminal is not released and brought to book. Complaint –Polls in Tharparker Massively Rigged

Polls in remote district Tharparkar were massively rigged, as ballot boxes were stuffed on the night of polling day at a number of polling stations in Tehsil Chachro and Nagarparkar. This is the home home constituency of former chief minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim, who had claimed that if he was defeated in Thar, he will quit politics. He arranged police and polling staff of his choice at polling stations.The complaints of PPP candidates were not entertained by the election commission.

No foriegn observer or monitor was present in the Tharparkar district. Even media also ignored this backward area and did not send any team. They left field open to Arbabs for rigging.

PPP polling agents were not allowed to sit at over one dozen polling stations including Gogasar, Goongio, Meghwar Muhla, while police disembarked a number of voters from the vehicles while they were on their way to cast vote in different parts of Tharparkar district. Earlier a large number of polling staff of different polling stations of taluka Chachro on Sunday late night refused to go on polling duties due to inadequate security arrangements. Later administration made some adhoc arrangements. For polling stations of Nagarpakar, polling staff were handed over bags of ballot pares which were unsealed. 538 teachers found that their votes were already caste.

Poll day rigging / Na-246 & PS-106 Karachi

At polling station Dehli School Azizabad Karachi our candidate Sohail Ansari has reported that the MQM candidate Safyaan Yousaf has controlled the polling station and his henchmen after ousting polling agents of Mr. Ansari have resorted to stamping of Ballot papers in coniavance with the presiding officer. Kindly take immediate action to stop the bogus voting and ensure actual voters their right of franchise.

Poll day rigging / NA-208 & PS-14 Jacobabad Sindh

Our candidates Ejaz Jhakrani and Abdul Rahim Khoso of the rovincial Assembly have reported that in the small hours , the presiding officer / Assistant Presiding Officers were beaten up in the presence of the police squad headed by the DIG himself and whereafter the ballot papers were stamped against the name of PML-Q candidate who is the grandson of caretaker prime minister. At the lady polling station, the lists have been changed and the women voters have been deprived of their franchise. The acting prime minister sister and nephew are thus being bailed out. Kindly take immediate action, annul such bogus votes and ensure genuine voters are enabled their right of franchise.

PPP Voters beaten in NA-217 & PS-30 Kairpur Sindh

All police stations of the subject constituency have been raided by the armed henchmen of PML-F candidate and polling agents of Pir Fazal Shah PPP NA-217 and Pir Bachal Shah of PS-30 were beaten and ousted from the polling stations. Thereafter the ballot papers were stamped in favour of Saddardin Shah NA candidate of PML-F and stuffed in the ballot boxes with the connivance of polling staff. Kindly take immediate action, annul such bogus votes and ensure genuine voters are enabled their right of franchise.

PPP Workers injured and abducted in NA-219 & PS-48, 49 Hyderabad –I, Sindh

Our candidates Ali Ahmed Satto of the National Assembly and Ahmed Ali qureshi as well as Abdul Jabbar of Provincial Assembly were unable to retain the presence of their polling agents at the polling stations with in the constituencies due to firing and torture inflicted upon them. Even the Parado car was damaged. Three of such persons are gravely injured. The polling agents have been hijacked and six of them are in their custody after abduction. The police is also involved in the criminal misdeeds. Stamping of ballot papers in favour of the MQM candidates in taking place with shameless impunity. The PPP stamped votes by the voters has been torn apart. The lists of voters with the political agents were also snatched away. Kindly take immediate action, annul such bogus votes and ensure genuine voters are enabled their right of franchise.

Polling Day Rigging – Na-52 Rawalpindi Constituency- Ballot Papers Snatched

A grave complaint has been received by the Central Election Monitoring Cell- PPP Islamabad from the above titled constituency. The aforereffered mentioned constituency is considered to be a PPP strong hold; however, it is quite distressing to enunciate the fact that 67 ballot papers were snatched from women at a polling station number 297. The concerned presiding officer Mr. Jalaldin Abdul Waheed is most certainly biased and working in the interest of the ‘Kings Party’ as no action whatsoever has been taken by him. More specifically, ballot papers 163401 to 163500 were issued for the national Assembly and 372801 to 372900 were issued for the Provincial Assembly and most startlingly only 33 votes had been cast. Upon interrogation, the said presiding officer casually whisked away the happening of the incident and instead verbally communicated that the Election Commission of Pakistan had been intimated; which in turn is a biased/non-neutral/non-partisan organization working under the auspices of Mr. Pervez Musharraf. Such grave mischief kindly be immediately dealt with; notwithstanding the fact that such illegal acts are not only violative of law but most certainly go against the very code of conduct set forth by the very Election Commission of Pakistan. Kindly take necessary remedial steps to ensure a free, fair, and transparent election.

Poll day rigging / PB-16 Loralai Balochistan

Our candidate Mohabattualh has reported that MI and FC are letting the voters of Mohammad Khan of PML-Q only to cast their votes while his voters are not allowed access into the polling stations. Even he has been threatened to be amongst the missing persons, if he insists on breaching into the cordon of the agencies in attempting to have his voters to access into the polling stations. Kindly take immediate action, annul such bogus votes and ensure genuine voters are enabled their right of franchise.

Polling Day Rigging – Na-54 Rawalpindi Constituency- Ballot Papers Snatched

A grave complaint has been received by the Central Election Monitoring Cell- PPP Islamabad from the above titled constituency. The aforereffered mentioned constituency is considered to be a PPP strong hold; however, it is quite distressing to enunciate the fact that 67 ballot papers were snatched from women at a polling station number 297. The concerned presiding officer Mr. Jalaldin Abdul Waheed is most certainly biased and working in the interest of the ‘Kings Party’ as no action whatsoever has been taken by him. More specifically, ballot papers 163401 to 163500 were issued for the national Assembly and 372801 to 372900 were issued for the Provincial Assembly and most startlingly only 33 votes had been cast. Upon interrogation, the said presiding officer casually whisked away the happening of the incident and instead verbally communicated that the Election Commission of Pakistan had been intimated; which in turn is a biased/non-neutral/non-partisan organization working under the auspices of Mr. Pervez Musharraf. Such grave mischief kindly be immediately dealt with; notwithstanding the fact that such illegal acts are not only violative of law but most certainly go against the very code of conduct set forth by the very Election Commission of Pakistan. Kindly take necessary remedial steps to ensure a free, fair, and transparent election.

Poll day rigging / NA-199 Sukkher

Our candidate Syed Khursheed Shah Jam Saifullah of the provincial constituency have reported that the brother of the former Jam Zafarullah Dhareja has been arrested and the reign of terror has been let loose by the king’s party candidates. Kindly take immediate action and direct the Army’s patrolling to ensure peace and safety to the voters so as to facilitate balloting at the polling stations.

Poll day rigging / Ballot stamping by the Chief Secretary Punjab, Lahore

The secret rigging center since the last three days has been setup at 9 Aikman Road Lahore, where the Chief Secretary Punjab Salman Siddique is personally supervising the stuffing of ballot papers/ books and dissipating the same to the various candidates of PML-Q for inserting them in the ballot boxes at the respective polling stations of such candidates. We had already complained that 20 million extra ballot papers had been printed and now it appears the same are being utilized for the worst rigging of elections.

Polling Day Rigging – PS- 114 Tarri Mir Wah Constituency- Incident Of Violence By MQM

A grave complaint has been received by the Central Election Monitoring Cell- PPP Islamabad from the above titled constituency. The afore-mentioned constituency is considered to be a PPP strong hold; however, it is quite distressing to vocalize the fact that the ballot papers are being snatched from the voters from both male and female polling stations and allegedly stamped and stuffed the ballot boxes in PML Q ‘s candidate favor. It is also complained that the security cover is absent as no police and rangers is seen around the Rasul Pur Polling station where all this is happening. Moreover, the PPP agent are tied up and severely beaten up. This type of violence is quite rampant in the aforementioned constituency which is completely violative of the law of the land and negates the very concept of a free, fair and transparent election. Such grave mischief kindly be immediately dealt with; notwithstanding the fact that such illegal acts are not only violative of law but most certainly go against the very code of conduct set forth by the very Election Commission of Pakistan. Kindly take necessary remedial steps to ensure a free, fair, and transparent election.

PPP Woorkers Attacked & Injured in PS Sukkar-II & III

Our Candidates Anwar Mahr and Javed Hussain Shah have reported that the polling agents of PPP have been attacked injured and thrown out of the polling stations Trighati, wass, and abelo thereafter the K|ings \Party resorted to stamping of ballot papers which were stuffed into the ballot boxes with the connivance of the polling staff.

Bogus Vote Casting

It has been reported that in NA-48 , Peoples Party Women Wing has caught Presiding officer red handed while casting fake votes in Ladies Polling Station #41.
Poll Day Rigging/ NA-216 Khairpur -II

Our candidate Sajid Bhawan has reported that at the ladies polling station of Tajjamal Sharif and Mehrab Chandio, the cards were snatched and the ballot papers instead were stamped on the symbol of saddarudin Shah of PML-F candidate. The polling agents of the PPP candidates were forced out of the polling station and subjected to the worst brutalities under the very noose of police. The polling staff is completely in league with the Functional Candidate. Kindly take immediate action, annul such bogus votes and restore the franchise of genuine voters.

Poll day rigging/ Shikarpur

It has reliably be learnt that our provincial candidate Arsalan Khan visited PS-186 Kot Shahu, where he found two provincial assembly booklets and two National Assembly booklets lying on the ground. All these leaves were fully stamped in favour of Jatoi, the opposition candidate. The serial Nos of the two booklets were 280601-700 and from 279001-100. This was brought to the notice of RO Shikarpur and the RO also spoke to the presiding officer who admitted the same. Later Abid jatoi, Provincial Candidate eneterd the polling station with his goons and forcibly took away the booklets. This was followed by the arrival of rangers who closed the polling. This is for your reaction and record.

Balot Boxes snatched in NA- 202, Shikarpur, Sindh

Mr. Aftab Shaban Mirani, our canididate from NA-202 Shikarpur has reported that 300 NA and 300 Provincial Assembly ballot boxes are missing at polling station no 75 GPS, Hazar Khan Chandio, Thay Rais Wah. Reportedly the seal of the ballot bag was open and it was discovered at 6:45 am. The presiding officer Mr. Illyas Ajjana admitted handing over 6 books totaling 600 votes to an ASI who took the same away. Obviously such robberies are planned and executed to sabotage the election results in favour of the regime’s party. This is for your immediate reaction and record.

Political Violence in – NA- 323, PS 74 Dadu 4, Constituency

A grave complaint has been received by the Central Election Monitoring Cell- PPP Islamabad from the above titled constituency. The aforementioned constituency has become a haven for looters and criminals who are sprawling with open display of firearms; their sole purpose to create panic among voters. PPP candidate for PS 74 Dadu 4 has reported that the most wanted criminal Nisar Chandio heavily armed took over polling station one by one Bachal Chandio, UC Allahabad harassed the polling staff and stamped the ballot papers. It is also reported that no security cover was given to said polling stations like Police, army and Rangers was absent from the scene. Moreover, PPP candidate Sardar Rafiq Ahmed Jamali from NA 232 has reported that the voters lists replaced and changed with fabricated that had deprived the voters from casting vote in Dadu city that is PPP strong-hold area. In addition, several other polling stations have also had similar treatment. In the said constituency due to violence Narriwal Lund polling station has been closed. Such grave mischief kindly be immediately dealt with; notwithstanding the fact that such illegal acts are not only violative of law but most certainly go against the very code of conduct set forth by the very Election Commission of Pakistan. Kindly take necessary remedial steps to ensure a free, fair, and transparent election and issue orders to put the PPP polling staff back at the aforereffered polling stations.

Aaron A. said...

It would definitely be something to experience that electricity and uncertainty.

In the US, when the court chose our president, it seems most people didn't even change their TV routine.

David Broder said...

Although lots of workers support them, I don't think we should have any illusions in the PPP, whatever our hostility towards Musharraf and the Islamists.

When in power Ali Bhutto suppressed the general strike in the Sindh as well as the left-nationalists in Balochistan. Benazir Bhutto would have been happy to put through IMF reforms.

The Bhuttos are huge landowners, passing political power through the family like some feudal dynasty.

The masses who back the PPP have no control over the leadership and are not able to have a say about the direction of the party.