SAN Report

The Election Commission of Pakistan has issued Elections 2008 schedule and the political parties, which were showing apathetic and cynical political behaviour after imposition of emergency, have now changed their stance. On the other hand the government is pleased with this situation because it has successfully turned the agitation politics into electoral politics. The political parties across the Pakistan are now active in political process especially after boycott option failed to get unanimous political support. The Pakistani government is trying to bring moderate people to the parliament to show to the west and especially to the United States that the ‘enlightened moderation’ notion of President Musharraf is bearing fruits. Only time will tell whether the government is successful in its efforts or not.

Government is desperately looking for such moderate and enlightened parliamentarians in all across the country in general and in tribal areas in particular. The secret agencies have already made their lists of such expected moderate parliamentarians in tribal areas and many such candidates have been given green signal by the government and before the declaration of election schedule these candidates were sure enough of the election results going into their favour. But after the issuance of election schedule the situation has completely changed. Taliban have now taken the control of the election process in these tribal areas and no one can contest the elections in FATA unless permitted by the Taliban. And now it’s very difficult for the moderate candidates to come to the seen and it’s the ground reality in FATA.

There are 12 seats in national assembly for tribal areas while those tribal areas that are with NWFP have not yet been given any representation despite their regular demands. The British had introduced direct electoral system in tribal areas for their domination. This system favored the local lords. After partition Pakistani government continued this practice till 1997. It was in February 1997 elections that the tribal people were given the right to vote by the former President Farooq Ahmed Khan Leghari. The democratic culture and practices are weak in these tribal areas. The 2008 elections will be the third election in which these people will use their right to vote. 

For nearly 52 years the local lords dominated the electoral process in these areas and now Taliban are creating complications in the way of free and fair elections. Within Taliban there are several groups that have their influence in different areas and have their own rules. Therefore the manners of Taliban are different in different areas. Bara area is Just 8 miles from Peshawar where two armed groups have been fighting against each other since long. One group is lead by Mangal Bagh who has his own radio channel and has strong influence and power in his area. Mangal Bagh has issued his own election code. According to this code there will be no public processions, no use of vehicles and no party flags. Candidates can only use party flags at their houses. Party flag can only be used otherwise along with the Mangal group flag. The candidates are not obeying election code issued by the election commission but the election code issued by the Mangal Bagh. The point is that, how can any candidate win or even contest elections without the consent of Mangal Bagh? This is the situation in Bara and same situation persists in other areas where some other “Mangal” has the influence and power.

The local candidates are not contesting the elections despite their willingness; what’s more they can’t even complain because the government is not in any position to do anything owing to the ground realities. Since the announcement of election schedule by the election commission the militants have committed several offences against the government officials.  In one of these offences some political agents were kidnapped and in other offence three detainees were put to death. In such worse circumstances candidates are frightened to take part in elections. The former member of national assembly Maulana Ghulam Muhammad Sadiq from Mohmand Agency had to call Jirga to submit his nomination papers. The Taliban opposed him on the ground that during his last tenure he had not done anything to serve Islam and therefore he had to call Jirga to negotiate with Taliban.

The situation in other tribal areas is not much different. Taliban have strong influence in North and South Waziristan. Though the former national assembly members have some support from Taliban but as the Taliban are growing, some so called Taliban have demanded from these members to pay Rs 5 million before contesting elections. These Taliban call them the followers of Baitullah Mehsud. The only criterion for being such Taliban is long beard and long hair and so anyone can easily join them. Following the Taliban participation and influence in electoral process one can read between the lines that Taliban could be the next national assembly members from tribal areas either directly or indirectly.

The government is also aware of this grave situation and that’s why the last date of submitting nomination papers in Tribal areas, Shangla and Kurram Agency had been extended to 6th December. Though the candidates have been given the relaxation but can these candidates take advantage of it? Of course not unless permitted by Taliban. In the light of these circumstances, evidences and ground realities one can easily deduce that Taliban have both the ability and capability to enter national assembly in the forthcoming elections.