Pakistan Today

Email

Whatsapp

Facebook

Pinterest

Twitter

Copy link

The landslide victory of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League in the February 3, 1997 elections may not give India's neighbour a stable democratic polity as one would presume, nor is it likely to improve their ever tense relations in a hurry. Sharif would find his hands fairly tied when he gets down to the business of ruling the country. The President and the Army could always get together to dump him if he gets out of line. His massive majority in the National Assembly could also be utilised by a stifled opposition to drum up an agitation outside. Soon after his party's thumping win, Sharif declared that he wanted to improve relations with India through dialogue and was against confrontation. "We have to learn how to live as good neighbours. Now is the time for serious dialogue," he was quoted as saying.

Gujral and Sharif have agreed to meet in future without haggling over preconditions. Despite the great distance to be covered, it is a significant step forward on the road to better relations. All these political facts make Pakistan Today an interesting study. This book serves the purpose of both the layman and the historians alike.

M. K. AKBAR has had a brilliant academic career. In 1965 he passed M.A. in Political Science and was awarded the University Gold Medal for standing first. Akbar, a journalist, philanthropist and a socio-political analyst has several books to his credit. He is an internationally recognised authority on the Far East and for the past two decades, has been serving as an adviser and consultant to numerous organisations in various capacities.

The landslide victory of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League in the February 3, 1997 elections may not give India's neighbour a stable democratic polity as one would presume, nor is it likely to improve their ever tense relations in a hurry. With a string military-bureaucracy establishment waiting in the wings, there is no certainty how long the new government would last and what would it be able to do despite a two-thirds majority in the 217- member National Assembly.

Gujral's idea is to engage Pakistan in a constructive dialogue through various confidence- building measures. That is why he agreed to examine Pakistan's proposal to sell surplus electricity to India. "Once strong economic ties are developed it would be in Pakistan's interest to keep itself away from subversive activities against India." Gujral and Sharif have agreed to meet in future without haggling over preconditions. It is a significant step forward on the road to better relations, despite the great distance to be covered.

All these political facts make Pakistan Today an interesting study. This book serves the purpose of both the layman and the historians alike.

**Contents and Sample Pages**