Will Nawaz Sharif shape a new Pakistan?

There is no doubt the high voter turnout in the elections in Pakistan, despite threats from the Taliban, is a high for democracy. Often, given the chance, the citizens of this beleaguered nation have underlined their belief in democracy, their opposition to the army’s involvement in politics and even the repudiation of extremism. Given the fact that Nawaz Sharif, whose Muslim League has almost got a simple majority, has often stated his desire for better relations with India, the vote for him could also be read as being for better ties with India. But the big question really is whether this election means the nature of the state in Pakistan will change.

Take the issue, of key interest to India, of extremism and state support for jihadi elements. Apart from the military establishment’s selfdefeating policy of considering some of these elements strategic assets, the political class in Pakistan has also not been averse to playing footsie with extremists. Remember, in the late 1990s, facing political pressure in an earlier avatar as prime minister, Nawaz Sharif did try to push a constitutional amendment that would have enabled him to enforce Sharia law. So, despite talk of this being a wiser, more mature Nawaz Sharif, the precise shape Pakistan’s political discourse will take remains hazy.

The big, almost utopian, hope is that democracy would take such firm root in Pakistan as to marginalise extremists and hardliners, even within the military establishment. But that’s not happening anytime in the foreseeable future — what with the army being a firm part of the power structure, and deciding key foreign policy and strategic issues. So, it is moot what Mr Sharif will be able to change even if he really wants to. Let some realism temper the understandable euphoria.