Responsibility Parties 'must work together'

Political analysts in Islamabad are expecting some give and take on the parties' policy matters regarding fundamental issues such as the position of President Pervez Musharraf, the judiciary, and law and order.

Mohammad Asghar, a political commentator in Islamabad, said the PPP, PML-N, and MQM must rise above their differences to work under an alliance in the interest of the country facing huge challenges.

"They have a long history of rivalry, no doubt, but they should be willing to work together under the new political scenario," he said.

"It's a tricky situation for the new government at the centre to maintain good working relations in future with the provincial governments," said Amir Haider, a noted political analyst in Islamabad.

All the parties have different ideologies and policies on a whole variety of issues the nation has been currently been facing. Musharraf himself is a big issue for the parties.

The PPP is a more liberal party and already has some sort of understanding with Musharraf and his policies, he said. Abdul Jabbar, a journalist, believes that PPP is in a difficult position and has a huge responsibility.

He is also of the view that elections were engineered for a split mandate but the planners have failed to restrict PML-N in getting limited seats.

"The design, I believe, was to install a coalition government of PPP and PML-Q," said Abdul Jabbar, adding that the public has foiled it.

The people of Pakistan are tired of worsening law and order situation, terrorism, religious fanaticism, rising poverty and unemployment, lack of health facilities and rising inflation.

"The voters' turnout of 42.67 per cent [2.67 per cent higher than in the 2002 elections] shows that bomb threats have failed to prevent them from voting for a change," he said.

It is a silent revolution and a revolt against former rulers, he said. "The new government must respect it or be prepared to face the public anger," he added.