“When we think we lead we
most are led.”
- Lord Byron

Pakistanis are sceptical that the next general elections will bring any positive change. For this, however, the politicians should only blame themselves; they cannot pin down responsibility on the masses for their wrongdoings.
Successive governments, too, had failed to deliver on their promises. The people, therefore, are well within their right to lose faith in the elections, since they feel that it will not help improve their living standards. Yet, this is the only option available to them; more so, because fancy ideas propagated by any organ of the state should be discouraged. Otherwise, God forbid, it will lead the country into a difficult situation almost beyond comprehension.
Despite all this, it came as a surprise when President Asif Zardari challenged his political opponents by saying that the PPP will win the elections, both at the centre and in the provinces. His statement may be hard for many people to digest, keeping in view the PPP-led coalition government’s performance that has been dismal; whereas the party, itself, has completely failed to follow Bhutto’s political philosophy. Yet, Zardari seems to be quite confident, perhaps, owing to the fact that against all odds he has managed to keep himself in power!
Needless to say, the government is beset not only by the coalition syndrome, but also one corruption scandal after the other. As if that was not enough, gas and electricity loadshedding has made the life of common people miserable. While it will not be fair to solely blame the present ruling elite for the state of affairs, there is no denying that its failure to punish those who are responsible for the mess cannot be overlooked!
As a result, the people are frustrated because they are unable to decide which political party to vote for; they feel that it must have the capability to pull Pakistan out of the challenges it is facing these days. Also, the opposition parties mostly remain divided because none of them are certain about the public vote and/or support that they would receive in the polls. Hence, President Zardari thought it was safe to predict that his party would win the next elections!
To some extent, nevertheless, the results of by-elections that were conducted in different parts of the country endorse his statement. Apparently, the President has correctly assessed that since the PPP had roots in all the four provinces, it may emerge as the single largest party and will be able to establish the government once again.
Another factor that allowed Zardari the confidence to claim that his party will win in the provinces, notably in Punjab, was due to Imran Khan and his party’s increasing popularity. That is expected to dent the PML-N’s vote bank, particularly in the province’s urban areas.
According to reports, the PML-N and other centre-right parties are negotiating to form an alliance that may improve their prospects to win a maximum number of seats in the National and Provincial Assemblies. If they succeed in establishing a grand new alliance against the PPP and its coalition partners, it would mean that Pakistani politics has reverted to the 1990s, when the elections were contested on the premises of PPP and anti-PPP votes. But if Nawaz Sharif fails to strike a deal with Imran Khan, then PPP’s prospects would remain a dominant factor in the polls. Yet, the President has maintained that he would continue the policy of reconciliation with his political opponents.
President Zardari also assured that the elections would be held in time that would be absolutely free and fair. Indeed, the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner, Justice (retd) Fakhruddin G. Ibrahim, points in that direction. He believes that the Sharif brothers were in power due to the PPP and the Charter of Democracy signed between Shaheed Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif, and it will not be possible for the PML-N to capture power, especially in Punjab, again. However, its leadership thinks otherwise!
Nevertheless, it would be a mistake on the President’s part to expect a massive victory in the polls because the mainstay of PPP support seems to have been eroded due to its poor governance. 
On the other hand, while the opposition has not spared the PPP on any issue, it has remained divided and as such would indirectly prove to be beneficial for the PPP. In case the PPP and its allies provide the much needed relief to the people, there is no reason not to believe what the President has said. But if they fail to deliver, the prospects of an intervention would remain and it would just be a matter of time when the anti-democratic forces would stage another come back, resulting in the demise of democracy. 
So, it is absolutely essential for the government and the opposition to work together and not create opportunities for adventurers and enthusiasts to derail the democratic setup. It would, thus, be in the fitness of things if Zardari’s challenge is accepted by the opposition to provide a viable alternative programme that is workable and acceptable to the people.
On its part, the government needs to work swiftly to alleviate the sufferings of the poor. Otherwise, there will be another hung Parliament that will not be able to serve the interest of the masses. Instability would then lead to serious economic problems; a prospect that would further weaken Pakistan.

n    The writer has been associated with various newspapers as editor and columnist. At present, he hosts a political programme on Pakistan Television.
    Email: zarnatta@hotmail.com