In a hard-hitting speech the MQM chief, Altaf Hussain, has termed the delimitation order a 'judicial martial law', and has urged the Chief Justice of Pakistan to take a suo motu notice of the judge's remarks. The MQM leadership's stand is certainly tough and hard, but it is neither illegal nor undemocratic, especially when seen in the context of existing law on delimitation of constituencies. The Demarcation of Constituencies Act 1974 says census must precede delimitation, but if desired the Election Commission of Pakistan has the power to carry out delimitation in a specified area without going for national census.
The fact is that MQM is greatly cut up on this 'political monopoly' observation of the court, but nowhere had it hinted defiance of the court's decision. But that said, it would be in order to place this controversy in its broader perspective. The fact is that the Pakistani nation is preparing to go for a crucial make-or-break election in the circumstances, which by no means can be described as normal and conducive for a peaceful electoral exercise. Leave aside the threats looming on national borders and their ominous impact on national harmony, the enemy has succeeded in making deep inroads and tends to call the shots whenever it feels fit. Internally, law and order is more at the mercy of criminals than the authorities who appear to be increasingly helpless in protecting people's rights and liberties.
Add to this, rampant corruption, empowerment of mafias, murderous matches played between various religious groups and the unchallenged street crime, and we have all the attributes of a banana republic, if failed state epithet is unacceptable. Has our democratically-elected political elite in some ways added to our miseries: yes and plentifully. Give them any nice nomenclature the militant wings of parties invariably comprise ruffians and thugs who are so often tasked to undertake what the party would not like to be seen doing in public. Then there are powerful mafias, allowed to play havoc with the life of common man under protection and patronage provided by their political masters as the law enforcement personnel watch hand-folded.
With all this in place, the struggle for political power through an electoral victory is no doubt going to be ruthless and a no-holds barred cut-throat amphitheatre. But it is not only the prevailing abysmal law and order situation that tends to undermine conditions for fair and free election, there are some problems with the electoral process as well. For instance, the electoral lists are perceptibly bogus as these have been substantially doctored to suit interests of certain parties - either by enlisting the non-existent voters or by dropping the eligible voters from the lists by shifting them to other residential addresses. This is particularly true of Karachi, earning it the apex court's suggestion for physical verification of voters by the military. Perhaps, failure on that account may precipitate boycott of election by some parties. So no effort should be spared to ensure that the best possible conditions are obtained in the city of Karachi, and all over the country, to make the next election not only possible but also transparent. At this crucial juncture of our national existence, fair, free and transparent elections should not only be held but its results should be accepted by the contenders to national power - openly and wholeheartedly. Certainly, it's a huge challenge, but it's the only option now available to the Pakistani nation.