Democracy has been reduced to a dirty joke in Pakistan. Look at who are shouting against rigging-Nawaz Sharif and Benazir Bhutto, two people who ate Pakistan's money like anything, who were nothing better than autocrats in the guise of elected leaders and who are involved in backdoor negotiations with Musharraf to become PM, which is all that they desire. Can we Indians actually expect any one out of the three to solve all so called 'issues' with any one of them, especially when all of them have been involved in pushing in militants and troops into Indian Kashmir like the way they did, and brainwashed Kashmiri militants to push the Pandits out like this?
President Mush has lived upto his promise and is holding elections in Jan, free, fair and transparent. He has even invited foreign observers to over see the elections for its fairness. No leader in the world has ever suggested the one as above. It is therefore in the fitness of things that the opposition in Pak behave responsibly and take part in the much awaited elections.Its not fair to blame the Government of pre-poll rigging and it is nothing but cussedness ontheir part. They should wait and watch the poll arrangements vis-avis polling percentage. Its too early to come to such a conclusion that there is a plan to rig the elections. The Benazir-Sheriff duo should understand one thing very clearly that it is their life time chance to give democracy a chance. They should not scuttle it through such utterances. This will be used as ruse to delay democracy. Let the poll process go on and see how neutral the EC behaves, note down the shortcomings, violations, etc., and then present the case at the appropriate forum. This will be welcomed by people at large. It is heartening to note that the Government spokesman has come out with a clarification dispelling all the doubts about pre-poll rigging and over sensitivity of the issue. Let Opposition demonstrate their sincerety and participate in the election process so that the people will have a chance to exercise their votes in a free and fair manner as promised by the President. Is there any doubt about his sincerety? Waitand watch.
RE:Poll in Pakistan - Be a responsible Opposition
by on Dec 26, 2007 12:38 PM Permalink
Pakistan's broadcast regulator on Monday barred "live and extensive" reporting of election rallies and meetings by TV news channels, saying such coverage could vitiate the atmosphere ahead of the January 8 parliamentary polls.
"During such meetings, things may be said by candidates against each other. We have thus not given permission for live and extensive coverage of political rallies and meetings," said Iftikhar Rashid, chief of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA).
Caretaker Information Minister Nisar Memon has said live broadcasts need to be subject to time-delay so that "unethical words or obscene scenes" can be avoided. The regulations are intended to limit "ball by ball" coverage of political leaders during the election campaign as this could create panic and affect law and order, Memon said.
