Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Congrats, Pakistan!' that was published in Newsband

Congrats, Pakistan!

Pakistan witnessed an unusual election. It was unusual because there was a transition from one civilian government to another for the first time in its 65-year existence. People of Pakistan got what they wanted and that was a democratic change. Nawaz Sharif of Pakistan Muslim League (N) is the new Prime Minister. His party promised stability and this touched a chord in a population that is increasingly suspicious of the U.S. but also knows the country cannot live in isolation.

Sharif knows only too well the enormity of the challenges ahead of him.  He and his party have shown interest in dealing firmly with the terrorism that is devouring Pakistan, and which threatens India and the neighbourhood. Sharif was in power in the past and he has witnessed the world changing since 2001. Thus he has learnt from the past experiences and is become wiser. What will interest India is his strong and unambiguous articulation of better India-Pakistan relations. He is looking forward to correct the civil-military imbalance. India is hoping that Sharif will live up to his words.

Sharif's victory sounds the death knell for the horrid ISI and Paki military who have consistently ruined Pakistan's democracy and turned it into a terrorist haven. Sharif needs to show the Pak military as to who is the boss and concentrate on rapidly modernising Pakistan and joining the family of modern-day responsible nations.

The election results of Pakistan have revealed that people of Pakistan want peace and democracy. They are bent on fighting their biggest challenges which are terrorism and poverty. It is clear that people of Paksitan want to see Pakistan as economically developed nation.

Pakistani rulers’ real test is ahead. The hawks in the Pakistani army and the ISI, their intelligent agency, have always survived and prospered by vitiating India–Pakistan peace process. This is the bitter truth. Challenges ahead for Sharif are quite daunting, especially on the economic front. He should forget everything else and focus on repairing Pakistan's economy.

It is obvious that hands of those in Pakistan who wish to rebuild their country must be strengthened, as a destabilized Pakistan is a great threat to India. For India, a modernised, truly democratic Pakistan would be the best option. Stability and development of Pakistan is imperative for peace and prosperity of South Asia. Let’s hope that this new government will provide stable regime and works towards easing India-Pakistan tension diplomatically and through dialogue.

Trade and Cultural exchange between Pakistan and India will greatly increase under Sharif’s leadership. We in India must send our good wishes to the people in Pakistan on the occasion of a relatively smooth transfer of power.