Election Date: February 18, 2008

Abstract: At Stake: National Parliament

At Stake: National Parliament

Background

The separation in 1947 of British India into the Muslim state of Pakistan—with two sections, west and east—and largely Hindu India has never been satisfactorily resolved. India and Pakistan have fought several wars over the disputed territory of Kashmir, starting in the late 1940s.

Pakistan originally included the Bengalese territory of East Pakistan, which achieved its separate independence in 1971 as Bangladesh. Pakistan became a republic in 1956, with Islamabad as its capital.

In response to Indian nuclear weapons testing, Pakistan conducted its own program in 1998. The dispute over the state of Kashmir is ongoing, but discussions and confidence-building measures have led to decreased tensions since 2002.

In October 1999, Pervez Musharraf led a military coup to depose prime minister Nawaz Sharif. Two years later, Musharraf assumed the presidency.

Al-Qaeda operatives hijacked and crashed four airplanes in the U.S. on Sept. 11, 2001, killing nearly 3,000 people. Afghanistan—which shares a border with Pakistan—became the main battleground in the war on terrorism. The conflict began in October 2001, after the Taliban regime refused to hand over Osama bin Laden, prime suspect in the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York and Washington.

Following the 9/11 attacks, Pakistan agreed to cut its ties with Afghanistan and the Taliban and the country became a U.S. ally. In return, the American government agreed to end economic sanctions instituted after Pakistan's nuclear-weapon tests in 1998.

In late 2001, Pakistan and India were close to starting a war again after suicide bombers attacked the Indian Parliament, killing 14 people. The Indian government blamed the attack on Islamic militants supported by Pakistan. Both sides deployed hundreds of thousands of troops along their common border after the attack, but the incident eventually faded away.

In an April 2002 referendum—where less than 30 per cent of eligible voters participated—Musharraf extended his presidential term until October 2007.

In October 2002, the pro-Musharraf Pakistan Muslim League (PML-Q) elected 69 legislators to the 342-seat National Assembly. Following a deal with the Muttahhida Majlis-e-Amal Pakistan (MMA) party, the legislative branch passed a controversial constitutional amendment which legalized the 1999 coup and gave the president the authority to dissolve the legislative branch with the Supreme Court's approval.

In November 2002, Pakistan and India declared the first formal ceasefire in Kashmir in 14 years. In March 2003, Khalid Shaikh Mohammed—believed to be the mastermind of the 9/11 terrorist attacks—was captured in Pakistan.

In late 2004, Musharaf announced he would retain his position as chief of the armed forces, breaking a previous promise that he would renounce to the post.

In December 2004, U.S. president George W. Bush said both himself and Musharraf were "absolutely committed to fighting off the terrorists who would destroy life in Pakistan, or the United States, or anywhere else," adding, "I appreciate very much (Musharraf's) clear vision of the need for people of goodwill and hope to prevail over those who are willing to inflict death in order to achieve the predominance of an ideology that is just backward and dark in its view."

In April 2005, a bus service began between the two capitals of Kashmir—Srinagar on the Indian side and Pakistan's Muzaffarabad—uniting families that had been separated by the Line of Control since 1947.

Abdul Qadeer Khan, considered as the "father of Pakistan's nuclear bomb", was exposed in February 2004 for having sold nuclear secrets to North Korea, Iran, and Libya. Musharraf told him to apologize publicly, and later pardoned him. Khan claimed that he acted alone and that Pakistan's military and government were not involved in the selling of the nuclear secrets, but many in the international community are still suspicious of this explanation.

In May 2005, Musharraf banned exiled political leaders—which include former prime ministers Sharif and Benazir Bhutto—from taking part in the 2007 legislative election.

In December 2006, Pakistani information minister Muhammad Ali Durrani announced that Musharraf would seek a new five-year term as president.

Pakistan has made military efforts to combat al-Qaeda and Taliban militants, but it is thought there are still thousands of combatants in the mountainous areas of Pakistan.

Since seizing power in 1999, Musharraf has survived two assassination attempts by Islamic extremists.

2007 National Assembly Election

In January 2007, Pakistani president Pervez Musharraf rejected claims that his country is not doing enough to assist in the war on terrorism, saying, "The fight against terrorism and extremism, whether it is al-Qaeda or Taliban, can never succeed without Pakistan's cooperation and Pakistan is the only country that has delivered the maximum on both. We are tackling them with 30,000 troops. If there is anybody who is not doing enough, it is others who are not doing enough."

In February, U.S. vice-president Dick Cheney met with Musharraf. An official statement from Musharraf's office claimed Cheney "expressed U.S. apprehensions of regrouping of al-Qaeda in the tribal areas."

In early March, Musharraf defended his government's actions against the Taliban, saying, "We are doing more than anybody. Why doesn't the U.S. blame Mexico for sending illegal immigrants to the U.S.? Some problems are not easily solved. We can't send the army into the narrow alleyways of the refugee camps and start fighting to capture the militants who hide out there. The damage to innocents would be terrible."

In March, Musharraf fired the country's chief justice, Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry, accusing him of abuse of power. His move was seen by opponents as a way to prevent any animosity against him within the military. Musharraf's power largely depends on the army's support. Some Army colonels have rejected the sacking of Chaudhry. In February, Chaudhry called for an inquiry into a sensitive issue for the government. He ruled that the government should investigate the fate of hundreds of alleged Islamic militants who were detained or are missing.

On Apr. 3, large protests took place during a court hearing into the government's allegations against Chaudhry.

In early August, Bhutto, who has lived in exile for a decade, did not confirm or deny rumours that her Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians (PPPP) might seek a power-sharing deal with Musharraf ahead of the election. Bhutto said she will return to Pakistan before the ballot, and added that her recent conversations with the current president "are geared towards the restoration of democracy."

On Aug. 9, U.S. president George W. Bush urged Musharraf to offer "full cooperation in sharing intelligence," take "swift action if there's actionable intelligence on high-value targets," and hold "a free and fair election" in order to improve his country's cooperation with the war on terrorism.

On Aug. 12, Musharraf met with Afghan president Hamid Karzai in Kabul and urged for a tougher stand against radicalism, saying, "Along with Afghanistan, Pakistan has also witnessed the rise of militancy and violence attacking our society. We cannot remain mired in the past."

On Aug. 14, Pakistani railways minister Sheikh Rashid revealed that a deal between Musharraf and Bhutto is indeed in place, declaring, "All matters have been finalized with the former prime minister. The recent (denial) statements by Benazir Bhutto are just for political consumption."

On Aug. 16, Musharraf said the presidential election would take place from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, in accordance with the country's constitution. Assistant U.S. state secretary Richard Boucher said in Islamabad: "I see that everyone including the president is committed to the elections." An electoral college, comprising national and provincial legislatures, chooses the head of state.

On Aug. 21, the Pakistan Muslim League (Quaid-e-Azam) announced, through federal labour minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan, its intention of talking to other political parties in order to form a pre-election alliance.

On Aug. 23, the Supreme Court announced that exiled former prime minister Nawaz Sharif can return to Pakistan. Sharif expressed satisfaction with the ruling, saying, "My priority would be to restore democracy in Pakistan. I am not afraid to face more court cases from the government or if the government plans to arrest me on my arrival."

In early September, Sharif attempted to return to Pakistan, but was eventually sent to Saudi Arabia. U.S. deputy state secretary John Negroponte discussed Sharif’s deportation, saying, "We view this as an internal Pakistani political and legal matter and it is for the government and people and authorities of Pakistan to decide."

On Sept. 14, Aitzaz Ahsan—a member of Pakistan’s Senate and the lawyer who successfully took the case of fired chief justice Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry—said he believes this will be the president’s last term in office. Ahsan declared: "I see the end of the road for Musharraf. Pakistan is not a Kuwait or a Saudi Arabia. (...) This may be a Muslim country but it is not a Middle Eastern Muslim country. It is a South Asian Muslim country and here the constitution and the judiciary matter."

Bhutto has announced she will travel back to Pakistan on Oct. 18. The government has said she will be allowed to stay in the country. On Sept. 16, Bhutto called for the postponement of the presidential election until a new legislature is sworn in, saying, "It is our preference that whosoever wishes to contest for the presidency, whether Musharraf or somebody else, should do it from the next assembly, and it should be a civilian who contests the presidential election from the next assembly."

On Sept. 26, the PPPP announced it would nominate senior member Makhdoom Amin Fahim for the presidency if Musharraf was disqualified from the contest.

On Sept. 28, the Supreme Court ruled in favour of Musharraf, allowing the incumbent to seek a new term as president in the indirect election scheduled for Oct. 6.

On Sept. 29, the Election Commission of Pakistan approved the nominations of Musharraf, Fahim, Wajihuddin Ahmed, Chaudhry Amir Hussain and Muhammadmian Soomro. In all, 38 candidacies were rejected.

On Oct. 2, 85 opposition members of Parliament and three Provincial Assemblies affiliated to the All-Parties Democracy Movement resigned to protest the Oct. 6 presidential election. Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz Sharif) leader Javed Hashmi explained the rationale, saying, “We think this is an illegal and unconstitutional (election), and we don’t want to be part of it. It is against the norms of the democratic process that a Parliament that is completing its term in a few days should vote in a new President for the next five years.”

On Oct. 8, Musharraf apparently won the indirect presidential election, although an official announcement is not expected until Oct. 17, due to pending legal challenges.

On Oct. 12, Musharraf urged Bhutto to delay her return, declaring, "There is a lot happening here. There are court cases and I think she should come after that." Bhutto vowed to travel as scheduled, saying, "Musharraf has no problems with my return but the ruling coalition, especially the PML-Q is afraid of my return."

On Oct. 18, Bhutto returned to Pakistan. As her caravan travelled through Karachi, two massive suicide bombings killed more than 140 people, and injured 450 more. Bhutto—who was not hurt—accused political foes of planning to kill her, and said she did not regret returning to Pakistan, adding, “The people who came (to receive me) knew that there would be a risk. They put their lives on the line. And I put my life on the line. And we did it because we believe in a cause. We want to save Pakistan. And we think saving Pakistan comes by saving democracy.”

On Nov. 3, Musharraf instituted a state of emergency in Pakistan. Musharraf’s decision took place as the Supreme Court was about to rule on the legality of last month’s internal presidential election.

In a televised address, Musharraf said he was forced to make “some very painful decisions,” adding, “Extremists are roaming around freely in the country, and they are not scared of law-enforcement agencies. Inaction at this moment is suicide for Pakistan and I cannot allow this country to commit suicide.”

On Nov. 4, Pakistani prime minister Shaukat Aziz said that more than 400 “preventative arrests” have been made so far, and claimed the state of emergency would last for “as long as is necessary.”

The acting head of Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim League, Javed Hashmi, declared: “Musharraf’s days are numbered. Time has come to end the political role of the army.” Bhutto also expressed dismay, saying, “We the political parties are calling for the restoration of the constitution, and for the holding of the elections under an independent election commission.”

On Nov. 11, Musharraf vowed to hold the election by Jan. 9, 2008, but added: “Certainly, the emergency is required to ensure peace in Pakistan, to ensure an environment conducive for elections.” Bhutto discussed the latest development, saying, “It is a positive step, but it will not help to resolve all problems. The long march will continue.”

On Nov. 16, Mohammadmian Soomro is sworn in as prime minister of an interim government, which features foreign minister Inam ul-Haq, finance minister Salman Shah, defence minister Salim Abbas Jilani, and interior minister Hamid Nawaz Khan.

On Nov. 18, Musharraf resigned as army chief. On Nov. 21, Pakistan’s Election Commission announced that the legislative election has been scheduled for Jan. 8, 2008.

On Nov. 29, Musharraf was sworn in for a new term as president and said the state of emergency would be lifted on Dec. 16.

On Dec. 3, Musharraf commented on the current state of affairs, saying, “Through all this, my commitment to free elections has not wavered and we will have elections in January 2008. (...) The media has reduced the national discourse to a conflict between institutions and individuals, instead of real issues affecting the well-being of the people. (...) I have always believed in the freedom of expression and have respected difference of opinion, and I will continue to do so in the future. The vision I will present for a ‘new Pakistan’ in the coming days, as Pakistan’s civilian democratically-elected president, rests on this decisive premise.”

On Dec. 10, Ahsan Iqbal, spokesman for the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz Sharif) announced that the party would contest the election, saying, “The elections are being rigged. Nevertheless, we should try to sabotage Musharraf’s attempt to institute a hand-picked parliament to go along with his hand-picked courts.”

On Dec. 16, the president lifted the state of emergency in Pakistan, claiming it was “unavoidable” in order to save Pakistan from major threats, and adding, “Today I am feeling very happy that all the promises that I have made to the people, to the country, have been fulfilled.”

On Dec. 17, Pakistan’s Election Commission rejected an appeal by Sharif, effectively banning him from participating in next month’s legislative election. Sharif’s PML-N described the decision as “politically motivated.” Party spokesman Iqbal declared: “This also shows that they are still afraid of his popularity and cannot face him. This is also shows that there is no level playing field in these elections.”

On Dec. 27, Pakistani opposition leader Benazir Bhutto was assassinated after an election rally in Rawalpindi. Musharraf declared in a nationally televised speech: “This is the work of those terrorists with whom we are engaged in war. I want to express my resolve and seek the co-operation from the entire nation and we will not rest until we eliminate these terrorists and root them out.”

Sharif stated to Bhutto’s supporters: “I promise you that I will continue the fight. I share your pain, the pain of the whole country.” He later added: “The holding of fair and free elections is not possible in the presence of Pervez Musharraf. After the killing of Benazir Bhutto, I announce that the Pakistan Muslim League-N will boycott the elections. (...) I demand that Musharraf should quit immediately. Musharraf is the cause of all the problems.”

On Jan. 2, 2008, the election was postponed until Feb. 18. Chief election commissioner Qazi Muhammad Farooq declared: “(Bhutto’s) demise affected every walk of life; similarly, January 8 elections were also affected.” Farooq said that more time was required to re-do burned ballot papers and repair ransacked election offices.

On Jan. 15, Bhutto’s widower, Asif Ali Zardari, said he and other party leaders provided evidence to a group of British detectives who are investigating Bhutto’s death. Zardari also called for the United Nations (UN) to launch a probe into the assassination, saying, “The government rejected our appeal for a UN probe, so the People’s Party will directly approach the UN.”

The Pakistani government has blamed al-Qaeda and a man called Baitullah Mehsud for Buttho’s assassination, on the basis of an intercepted conversation where two men discuss her death.

Bhutto’s autobiography—which she finished just days before her death—was published on Feb. 12. In the book, the political leader criticizes Musharraf for failing to bring democracy to Pakistan, writing, “If Musharraf had fulfilled his promises, Pakistan could have had an orderly democratic transition, closing the chapter on military rule, once and for all.”

Also on Feb. 12, Human Rights Watch issued a report, claiming that the Election Commission of Pakistan is biased against opposition parties. The international body, which is observing the electoral process ahead of next week’s ballot, stated: “The (commission’s) failure to act on allegations of irregularities means the electoral machinery for national elections cannot be considered impartial.”

On Feb. 14, Musharraf discussed the election, saying, “Despite all rumours, insinuations and every type of apprehension, these elections will be free, fair, transparent and peaceful. We don’t know who is going to lose and who is going to win. There will be no rigging.”

A poll released in February by the International Republican Institute suggested that half of Pakistani voters would back the PPPP in the election.

On Feb. 16, a suicide attack killed 37 people in Kuram, during a PPPP rally.

Voting took place on Feb. 18. Musharraf declared: “This is the voice of the nation. Everyone should accept the results, that includes myself.”

PML-Q spokesman Tariq Azeem referred to preliminary reports from early counts, saying, “People have given their verdict. We respect it. We congratulate the PML-N and PPP. They have done well. (...) As far as we are concerned, we will be willing to sit on opposition benches if final results prove that we have lost. This is the trend.”

On Feb. 20, Tarik said that the PML-Q would sit in the opposition bench, saying, “We readily accept our defeat, unlike in the past when losing parties alleged rigging. We accept that we were beaten fair and square.”

Final results released on Mar. 6 gave the PPP 120 seats, followed by the PML-N with 90 mandates, and the PML-Q with 51 seats.

On Mar. 9, Zardari and Sharif announced that they would assemble the government. Sharif declared: “The two parties agreed to form a coalition government to strengthen democracy.” The PPP leader said that his party will name the prime minister, adding, “The PPP nominee for prime minister shall be fully supported by coalition partners.’’

Although Sharif declined the offer to become prime minister, he was later cleared from seven charges of corruption by an anti-graft court—therefore giving him the opportunity to become head of government.

Political Players

President: Pervez Musharraf
Prime minister: Shaukat Aziz

The president is elected to a five-year term by an electoral college.

Legislative Branch: The National Assembly currently has 342 members; 272 members are elected to a five-year term. In addition, 10 seats are reserved for religious minorities, and 60 seats for women, to be filled by proportional representation with a five per cent threshold. The Senate has 101 indirectly elected members, and at least 17 senators should be women.

Results of Last Election:

National Assembly - Feb. 18, 2008

	Vote%	Elected Seats	Women Seats	Minority Seats	Total Seats
Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians	30.6%	93	23	4	120
Pakistan Muslim League (Quaid-e-Azam)	23.0%	40	9	2	51
Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz Sharif)	19.6%	70	17	3	90
Muttahida Qaumi Movement	7.4%	19	5	1	25
Muttahhida Majlis-e-Amal Pakistan	2.2%	6	--	--	6
Awami National Party	2.0%	10	3	--	13
Pakistan Peoples Party (Sherpao)	0.4%	1	--	--	1
Pakistan Muslim League (Functional Group)	--	4	1	--	5
National Peoples Party	--	1	--	--	1
Balochistan National Party (Awami)	--	1	--	--	1
Independents	--	19	--	--	19

 

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