Delhi and Kolkata-based daily, Akhbar-e-Mashriq, in an editorial on February 21 entitled, ‘Pakistan Mein Awami Inquilab’, has described the election verdict in Pakistan as a popular revolution. It has warned the future rulers not to lose their senses in their enthusiasm. “They should have a proper agenda, set priorities and rise above the politics of revenge and anger”, so that like India, “a democratic Pakistan may also move towards development and prosperity”.

Rashtriya Sahara in its editorial on the same day has described the verdict as a “defeat of dictatorship”. The paper says, “it is not clear what the final face of the new and democratic government would be, but the results have made it clear that more than the victory or defeat of any party, it is a victory of democracy and the defeat of dictatorship.” The paper says, not just Musharraf, but all those “attempting to gag democracy must take a lesson from this, including the army.”

Hindustan Express on February 21 has described this as a “test for Pakistan.” It says, “in spite of the stunning defeat of the Musharraf-supported party, if he continues to hold onto power, there cannot be a bigger example of the failure of democracy.”

Jamaat-e-Islami mouthpiece, the bi-weekly Daawat, in an editorial on February 25 has warned, that “if the new coalition government adopts a collision course then the army will get an opportunity to intervene. This is a very delicate moment and decisions should be taken keeping in view the wider interests of the country and the nation. The politics of conflict will not only harm Pakistan but will also have a negative impact on the rest of the region.”

... contd.