Upcoming Senate Election of Pakistan could be a turning point for the politics of the nation. The result of this election could make PPP leader Asif Ali Zardari, a long term President of the nation, supreme with executive power if it is positive to him otherwise it will be emerged as a difficulty to the Pakistan President.
Pakistan, one of the major member nations of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), is now enjoying a democratically elected political government after a decade long military rule. Though the country has a very strong two-chamber legislative council, the presidency is another crucial component of governance.
As of constitutional practice, prime minister is considered as the head of government, but head of the state President enjoys executive power, some times more than the Premier. Very commonly, where prime minister governs the state administration president becomes much more ornamental. In this view, Pakistan is an exception obviously as the South Asian country having powerful premier and president both.
With the emergence of the country in 1947, it has gone through very exceptional and volatile political developments. Pakistan adopted its first constitution in 1956 almost after a decade of its emergence in the globe as an independent country. The troubled nation was under military rule for many years. In true sense, with all limitations, the name of Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif could be cited as democratic state leaders.
Prior to the present elected government, Pakistan was governed by General Pervez Musharraf’s direct and indirect rule. During Musharraf regime Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Benazir Bhutto and Muslim League leader Nawaz Sharif were painted as a corrupt statespersons. Bhutto was accused with her husband Asif Ali Zardari. While General Musharraf was running the show Nawaz Sharif and Benazir Bhutto along with her husband businessman Asif Ali Zardari were forced to exile.
After the end of General Musharraf era, a democratically elected government came down over the blood of Benazir Bhutto. While people of Pakistan were on the street against military rule, one demand had come into surface that the executive power of president must be curbed for the betterment of democracy. But Asif Ali Zardari became president with the authorities of General Musharraf that makes the people and grassroots politicians of the country frustrated. Even political thinkers and intellectuals of the nation are not happy with the political environment and happenings of the country so far.
Election of Senate, the upper house of Pakistan legislative body, is knocking at the door. If every thing goes all right, the election could be take place after a couple of months. As a matter of fact, Pakistan Senate election is going to be the key event for the next political scenario of the country. Observers of Pakistan politics mentioned that if Mr. Zardari wants to stay as President PPP needs to win in Senate election.
As Pakistan is one of the important members of SAARC, the political scenario of this nation matters to the regional cooperation. Pattern of governance, character of government and relationship with neighbour and other members have great influence to the decision making process for regional development. This is why the eyes of political observers are roving over the Pakistan Senate election.
* The author is a Dhaka based senior journalist writes for various news outlets. He can be reached at mabbas1961@yahoo.com
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