The Pakistani people did themselves proud on the polling day when they, for their part, announced yet again their commitment to a democratic form of governance. Much has happened in the territory of Pakistan politics in the past but Pakistan will finally be able to fulfill the dream of the democratic nation. The people for their part have bravely stood up and announced the existence of a consensus among Pakistanis, that for good or bad, democracy is the way forward for the country and that there can be no democracy without politicians.

Gen. Musharraf seems to be about the only one who still believes that only lie can provide and protect democracy. Even his US-backers recognize that the General is now a marginal figure in Pakistan’s future. And Musharraf’s discomfiture was well seen on the day he swore in the new Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani under the constitution of Pakistan. A few days and some hiccups later, the other members of the coalition Cabinet were also in place thus opening new era in the troubled country’s life.

Nawaz Sharif, whom the Americans had marked out as an unlikely partner when Benazir was around and campaigning, was sought out only to learn that the PML (N) leader, while not opposed to the fight against terrorism, had his own priorities. Zardari, though seen as a friend, too would not have endorsed the idea of letting the situation in the NWFP to go out of hand in the name of the war on Taliban. The new coalition Government will find it extremely difficult to shake off US influence in the country. Pakistani politicians have become and their prime objective is to stay together, united in their resolve to protect the popular mandate favoring democracy over military rule. As it is they have made right choices for a start, putting aside, at least for the present, their partisan interest. The fact is that Asif Zardari of the PPP and Nawaz Sharif of PML-N has suffered in varying degrees at the hands of the military establishment. They were charged with crimes as diverse as corruption, murder and hijacking of an aircraft. All that may seem history now, but it’s the beginning of a challenge to the politicians.

Though Nawaz Sharif and Asif Zardari may share some short-term tactical objectives like wanting to weaken the military's domination of the political system, their long-term strategic goals differ completely. Sharif would like to see another election soon so that he can try to capture Islamabad and become Prime Minister again. But Zardari would like to rule uninterruptedly in Islamabad and elsewhere in the provinces for a full five-year term. Second, while Sharif wants to capture the PML (Q) rump and restore his League as the truly national party. Zardari would like to keep the vote-bank divided and hog the status of the only significant national party in the country. This means that the two will be together as long as their partisan political interests converge but part ways when these interests differ. This time it look like things, will go right for the country and for its people.