Call the musicians, distribute the sweets for ‘Roshan Pakistan’ and ‘Naya Pakistan’ i.e. the PMLN and PTI have been voted the 1^st and 2^nd choice of this country. Apart from all the differences both the parties have one thing in common, both of them want to talk to the Taliban, I mean the Pakistani Taliban, I mean with one of the groups of Pakistani Taliban, I mean the Tribal jirgas. Well I guess we aren’t too sure about who we want to talk to. Since May 11, I have read hundreds of columns mentioning that people of Pakistan have spoken and their choice is ‘Talks’ but is it that simple and does the PMLN and PTI even decide that? Not really – From domestic violence to foreign relations we pretty well know who runs the game and who calls the shots so if both these parties think they can even make the slightest change in the ‘official’ stance I think they are living in a fool’s paradise.

Lets highlight some of the sensitive issues which will decide how strong footed this new government is. Will the PMLN and PTI take a strong stance on the Abbotabad commission? Was it just an error of judgment that the most wanted man in the world was found hundred of kilometers inside Pakistan territory? PTI was one of the first party which advocated talks with the terrorists, will their party leaders seek permission for those talks from those thousands of families who lost their loved ones during those terrorists attacks? Polio workers have been brutally targeted all around KPK, will Imran Khan come out and strongly condemn these attacks?

PMLN was the target of criticism for having a soft corner for LeJ terrorists but just before the elections it masterfully silenced the issue, now when they have the government in the centre and Punjab will they order a full fledged operation against these terrorists? The Hazaras of Quetta and Victims of Abbas Town, Karachi want justice more than the Metro Bus Service. Asghar Khan case is still a skeleton hiding in the closet, will the government act to punish the culprits or will we see a petition submitted in the Supreme Court soon urging the government to take action against these culprits? Pervaiz Musharaf is another issue which demands sensitivity; will Nawaz Sharif (who has been accused of taking a soft stance against him recently) come out strongly against the man who over-threw his government in 1999?

Will Nawaz Sharif go to the extent of prosecuting and punishing an ex-Army Chief through the proper course of law or will we see another deal coming soon if one hasn’t already been signed? Imran Khan during his interviews before the elections always said he had bigger issues to tackle than criticizing MQM in Karachi but after Zahra Shahid’s murder he was quick to point his finger towards Altaf Hussain directly, which PTI Chairman should we follow?  the one who wanted to file cases against Altaf Hussain or the one who didn’t think MQM is not big an issue. India is another crucial issue for Nawaz Sharif, the last time he went on a friendship spree with India, Kargil happened and then ultimately he ended up being over-thrown, will he go to the extent of deciding his own course of action or will the GHQ decide how and when to shake hands with India?

If the coming 5 years will be ‘Roshan Pakistan’ or ‘Naya Pakistan’?  only time will tell but the next 5 years is definitely a ‘Dangerous Pakistan’ because if all these above mentioned issues aren’t tackled in a proper way I am afraid things will be much more difficult for the ordinary citizen for the next 2 decades at least.