Thaindian News

Islamabad, Jan 31 (IANS) An early poll would be desirable in Pakistan as it would end the “sense of frustration” that people are feeling, said a daily while calling for an end to the prevailing chaos.

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, on his return from the Davos summit, had said that early polls may be held to meet the demands of opposition parties.

An editorial in the News International Tuesday said: “The talk of early elections has been on for some time and this possibility is now beginning to seem more real, with the rumour being that the later part of this year will be the time when voting is announced.”

Pakistan is scheduled to go to the polls in 2013.

“It is likely, as many have suggested, that the pulling forward of polls is part of a wider deal, negotiated as tensions between institutions grew.”

The editorial said that “like with so much else that goes on behind the scenes in our country, we may never know the whole truth”.

“But the fact is that from the perspective of most people an early poll would be desirable - ending the sense of frustration they feel. It is also a fact that there is an urgent need to end the prevailing chaos and get back to a situation where there is a possibility of offering people reasonable governance.”

Pakistan has seen heightened tension over the past few months with the political leadership running foul of the army and the judiciary asserting itself. President Asif Ali Zardari, a secret memo said, had feared a military take over following last year’s killing of Al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden.

A poll before February 2013 may be a choice on the part of the government, as the prime minister has “already begun using the language of electoral times”.

“He (Gilani) has claimed it was said at Davos that Pakistan’s economy was showing an upward trend - something many of us would have a problem agreeing with. The PM also spoke of consultation with all parties and a mutually agreed chief election commissioner,” the editorial said.