In December 2007, the leading political parties in Pakistan announced their manifestoes. While the assassination of Benazir Bhutto is likely to be the main election issue now followed by the return of democracy, there are numerous other issues which are equally important for the future of Pakistan. An analysis of how each party perceives these issues of extreme importance for the unity and stability of Pakistan assumes importance in this context.

The assassination of Benazir Bhutto while undoubtedly the most significant political event, will become history in the next few months, and Pakistan would have to face the political aftermaths. Revival of democracy, return of the rule of law and an independent judiciary, and foreign policy, especially with regard to the US and India, are just some of the major issues facing Pakistan. What do the various party manifestoes say on these three vital questions?

Revival of Democracy

Invariably every political party has emphasized the revival of democracy as a primary agenda in their manifestoes. The PPP proposes to establish a true federal democracy in theory and practice by enacting certain reforms in order to make provincial autonomy more meaningful. The PML-N manifesto seeks to strengthen all democratic institutions, and reestablish the supremacy of Parliament and its various committees. The MQM manifesto emphasizes abolishing the obsolete feudal system and the establishment of a truly democratic, progressive and egalitarian society. The PML-Q's manifesto lays emphasis on promoting a democratic political culture within the country and within the party.

Though all the political parties emphasize the revival of democracy, their objectives differ. The PPP's slogan of federal democracy is based on the assumption that such a slogan will galvanize support for the party in all the provinces especially Balochistan and NWFP, where the demand has been the highest. PML-N's emphasis on strengthening Parliament and other institutions under the Constitution is based on the assumption that such a strategy will work as a bulwark against the military. Since MQM's vote bank is primarily in Sindh, where its opposition comes from the PPP, its emphasis on abolishing the feudal culture is not surprising - the province is the most feudal in Pakistan and most of the PPP's leaders from Sindh are from the feudal elites. The PML-Q's emphasis on democracy is the weakest and perhaps explains the reason for its focus on inner-party democracy.

Independent Judiciary

Establishing an independent judiciary is the second major demand enunciated by all the major political parties. The PML-N's demand for this has been much more vociferous than that of the PPP. Much before announcing his participation in the elections, one of the main reasons Sharif advocated for his party's boycott since his return to Pakistan has been the failure of Musharraf to restore the judiciary to the pre-emergency situation. Whereas the PPP has also stated the need for an independent judiciary, its position on the entire struggle of the judiciary versus Musharraf since March 2007, has always been ambivalent. While the MQM emphasizes upholding the sanctity of the judiciary and abolishing parallel judiciary systems, the PML-Q's manifesto is silent on this important issue.

Once again, the objectives of the emphasis or the absence in their manifesto on establishing an independent judiciary are obvious. The PML-Q after going along with Musharraf in ruining the judicial process has nothing to comment on the issue, while the MQM after having suffered the maximum due to parallel courts such as the anti-terrorism courts has reason to lay stress on abolishing the parallel judicial process. The PML-N's emphasis on an independent judiciary is ironic, for Nawaz Sharif too has share the blame for denting considerably the independent nature of the judiciary. Ironically, it was also the same Supreme Court against which he had unleashed his party members almost a decade ago, that came to his rescue and gave a verdict that his exile was not legal.

Foreign Policy

While foreign policy in general has not been part of the main electoral concerns in the 1997 and 2002 elections, it is important to understand how each party perceives Pakistan's relations especially with India, US and Afghanistan.

The PPP underlines good neighborly relations with Afghanistan, India, Iran and China, besides strengthening relations with the US, Canada and the European Union. The PML-N emphasizes that the independence and sovereignty of the country and the freedom of its people will always be the supreme guiding principle in the conduct of the Pakistan's foreign policy. The MQM wants to promote close, friendly and honourable relations with all the countries especially with the neighbors. PML-Q, meanwhile, underlines that no foreign country has the right to dictate on or interfere in Pakistan's internal affairs and that it will not allow its territory to be used against any neighboring country.

The PPP's emphasis on working with the US and the European Union is understandable, for Benazir Bhutto's priorities and the support she received from these countries were never a secret. Nawaz Sharif, on the other hand, never enjoyed the same reception in Western capitals. The PML-Q's emphasis on not allowing Pakistan to be used against its neigbours is aimed primarily at addressing the criticism that Musharraf and PML-Q have allowed the US to dictate terms vis-a-vis the war on terror and Afghanistan.