New Pakistan!
Millions of Pakistanis around the country and some even abroad made an effort to be there to exercise their right and civic duty. With few technical glitches (Election Commission tried using an app for recording final tally but as with many things in Pakistan, they didn’t anticipate the load correctly) official results are still pouring in since 24 hours after it initially started.
Few things which have made me hopeful;
Pakistan once again proved that hardline religious leaders can obviously garner street power and 9000 odd votes in constituencies but they will never get the popular vote.
All the political parties and some journalist who are calling foul play are the same who reminded everyone else in 2013 to let the democracy work, it will only make things better.
Khyber Pakhtunkawa province which borders volatile Afghanistan has a history of never voting the same party in again, but they have made first change in that trend in last 70+ years by selecting PTI again.
Establishment friendly “Jeep” has failed miserably.
Karachi has finally voted not on ethnic grounds, but then again that can be down to MQM London boycotting.
In times when you have Modi in India, Trump in USA, and people like Duterte in Philipines - you do need a leader like Imran Khan making a mark. I also sincerely hope we have a strong and vocal Opposition this time around so PTI is kept in check and on right path.
Now for a reality check. Pakistan is not magically going to become something else in next 5 years. There will be no Naya (New) Pakistan. Next five years are being given to a new political party with a record national debt and unprecedented challenges; economic and social. Most probably not all of our ideas will materialise and we will be disappointed a lot many times. However, it is remarkable to see results of this two decades of tireless effort!
Congratulations Pakistan. Democracy won, you’ve won.
