Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Islamabad (Agenzia Fides) - Following the violent death of opposition leader Benzhir Bhutto, in Rawalpindi, from a dynamite explosion on December 27th, 81 million Pakistani voters have gone to the voting booths on February 18th, to elect 272 representatives for the National Assembly and for the four provincial Parliaments. However, great suspicions have arisen regarding these elections: experts on both an international and national level believe that they will not be simple and unanimous elections.
In the 64,000 voting stations dispersed throughout the country, an occurrence of violence and problems are feared. With this in mind, a armed force is on maximum alert and 81,000 military soldiers and 300, 000 police officers are on call. In the public events of recent weeks, there have also been high security measures taken to protect the electoral candidates.
President Pervez Musharraf says that the country can pass from a military regime to democratic government. Musharraf, in fact himself an ex-general, has renounced the Armed Forces and has presented himself as a civil leader. During the past year, it was in his power to replace any judge on the Supreme Court that opposed his plans to run for a second term as president, which he obtained in 2007.
The political scene of the country could change if, in the present legislative elections, the parties opposed to Musharraf win. In Parliament, with a 2/3 majority, a process of impeachment of the President could begin.
For now, it seems that the winners could be the People’s Party, that of which Benazhir Bhutto was a member.
Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, of the Pakistani Muslim League, also continues in the race. According to the other political leaders, in light of the phenomena of corruption and buying of votes, there is not other alternative than to call the people to a manifestation in the city square.
The assesination of Bhutto has made worries increase for the stability of this country that is majority-Muslim and armed with nuclear weapons. It is being followed with careful attention by allies and neighbours.
The small Catholic community, for its part, during the electoral campaign has upheld the values of democracy and liberty, and the need to respect human rights of all individuals. They have encouraged one another in to pray for the country’s future. In light of the elections, the Church has launched a campaign to change electoral laws that discriminated against religious minorities. It has made some progress, with changes being made in the electoral system, so as to reduce discrimination. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 18/2/2008 righe 35, parole 417)
