PPP has won seats in all the four provinces namely Sindh, Punjab, North West Frontier Province (NWFP) and Baluchistan. PML (N) did not win a single National Assembly seat in Sindh and Baluchistan. The victory of ANP is the most significant. NWFP is adjoining Afghanistan and the boundary is irrelevant here. Like Afghanistan, NWFP’s majority population is Pushtus. ANP has won 10 National Assembly seats from the militancy affected NWFP defeating Mullahs party Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA). ANP is a left party. Afsandyar Wali Khan is the grand son of Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan ‘Frontier Gandhi’. The result has also sent a message to the world that Pushtus are peace loving people and they are not with the militants.

In the year 2002 NWFP Provincial Assembly elections MMA, an alliance of six religious parties, won the province and ruled the state till now. Now, the new government will be led by ANP and supported by PPP and other parties. The drubbing of MMA in the Province of Baluchistan is also significant.

Musharraf supported US led War against Terror whole heartedly. The defeat of King’s party is an indication that the Pakistanis do not want to be a junior partner of US and its allies. The main issue in the election was ‘Musharraf hatao’. This time there was no anti-India rhetoric in the campaign. Musharraf had become extremely unpopular with his domestic and international policies and he was aware of this fact.

The elections were by and large peaceful. People were apprehensive about rigging. But, mainly due to alert media, aspirations of the people, international observers and pressure from the International community made these elections peaceful. Though there are allegations of rigging from Karachi, a strong hold of Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM), a party of Mohajirs. The party is led by Altaf Hussain from London. MQM won most of the Karachi seats. PPP and MQM are always at  logger heads. MOM supported Musharraf regime and was a junior partner in the government led by PML (Q).

Out of 272 National Assembly seats, elections were held in 269 and PPP won 87, PML (N) 67, PML (Q) 40, MQM 19, ANP 10, MMA 6 (last time they had 59). 60 seats are reserved for Women and 10 for minorities. In all there are 342 seats.

The Lawyers and media played an important role in arousing the democratic aspirations of the people. The lawyers were in the forefront of the movement for the democracy since Musharraf regime dismissed Iftikhar Chaudhary, Chief Justice of Pakistan on March 9, 2007. But, he was reinstated on the order of Supreme Court on July 20, 2007.  On November 3, 2007, Musharraf imposed emergency, suspended the constitution and removed the Chief Justice and seven other Judges. Mr. Chaudahary became the rallying point for the people aspiring for the democracy and independence of judiciary became the major issue.

Musharraf tried to control media through Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) and it boomeranged. Ultimately, Musharraf had to succumb and withdraw the draconian changes. Pakistani media always stood for the independence of media. They had fought the black laws of Zia-ul-Haq’s draconian regime. They rallied around lawyers and common people and their fight against the military regime.

Pakistan result has brought Asif Ali Zardari in the centre stage of the Pakistan politics. During Benazir Bhutto’s regime he was known as Mr. 10%. Now, he is the co-Chairman of the Party. He is emphasizing on the politics of reconciliation and not confrontation. Musharraf is also saying that this s not the time of confrontation and everyone should come together. PML (N) had made impeachment of Musharraf and reinstatement of Iftikhar Chaudhary and other judges an election issue. Now, these two are the major challenges before the forthcoming government. Pressure from US and its allies is mounting especially on PPP to not to have politics of confrontation with the Musharraf. In all probability, there will be understanding and Musharraf will continue to be President.

Reinstatement of judges is not easy. It will require constitutional amendment and for that 2/3 majority is required. Again, no ruling party, class will like to have person like Iftikhar Chaudhary as the Chief justice.

As the corruption cases against Zardari are dropped there is a possibility that in near future he may contest National Assembly election from Larkana and prefer to become Prime Minister. Though, he says that he will like to play Sonia Gandhi type role.

Everything is not smooth between PPP and PML (N). But, the people of Pakistan want freedom and their pressure will compel them to continue. This is a transition period and the scenario is fluid but the aspirations of the people will lead them to a true democracy.