What next for the winners?

E-Paper | June 13, 2026

The victors and losers have been pretty obvious in the 2013 elections. Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) emerged the clear victor, while the Awami National Party (ANP) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) suffered overwhelming defeats in Khyber Pakthunkhwa (KP), Punjab and Balochistan.

Celebrations by PML-N workers and leaders were flashed across television screens, while Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf (PTI) supporters were seen celebrating in KP.

But soon, as the euphoria dies down, the parties will have to look ahead to a difficult, if not Herculean, task ahead of them.

The Pakistan being handed over from one civilian government is not in the best of condition. The centre will have to take into account a formidable energy crisis, and come up with long term, sustainable solutions to what has crippled people’s daily lives as well as the country’s economy.

Inflation has been the bane of many an ordinary household in Pakistan as well, while crippling debts remain unpaid, as does tax by most of the population.

On top of that is the crisis of militancy, with the Pakistani Taliban moving beyond the border along Afghanistan and carrying out widespread terror attacks across Pakistan – alongside the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) have re-emerged, with a vengeance, sectarian outfits like Lashkar-e-Jhangvi responsible for the death of hundreds. Minorities in Pakistan are also besieged, and various human rights groups have pointed out the vulnerable state these groups are in.

Meanwhile, in Balochistan, missing persons’ bodies keep turning up, scattered across the province. Other missing persons’ cases are pending.

Then of course, there are Pakistan’s bilateral ties with India – something that the prime minister-to-be Nawaz Sharif has attempted to repair in the past, only to be thwarted by the Kargil incident.

So by no means is the victory in the elections the ultimate victory for the winning parties this year. The next five years appear filled with problems that need to be resolved urgently.

What do you think the solutions to these widespread, and diverse range of problems are? And which ones need to be resolved on a more urgent basis than others?

Do you think the elected government will manage to make a dent in these issues that threaten to override Pakistan?

Dawn.com invites its readers to share its views.

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Do you have a thought to share or a way we can improve? We’d love to hear it. Reach out to us at feedback@dawn.com.

Forum

Ali Vaqar Awan

May 16, 2013 06:10pm

Government of Nawaz Sharif will be facing lots of challenges and tough road ahead. It will have to deal with terrorism and extremism which has been damaging our country alot. Energy crisis another issue to handle along with rise of petroleum products. Unemployment adds under tough challenge to Mr Sharif and his government has to find ways to create. Eradicating crouption, which is a uphill task needs to be addressed. If Nawaz delivers on his promises then Pakistan can make progress. Still fingers have to be crossed as his past record is not that good enough.

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Dilawer

May 17, 2013 06:47am

Five more years of corruption and nepotism. They already have the losers in place to fail one more time.

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Banban

May 17, 2013 06:51am

Insha'Allah, we'll fine so long as the new government's priorities are straight: solve problems facing the people rather than drain Pakistan by doing more corruption.

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concerned

May 17, 2013 05:17am

Pakistan is going to witness first democratic transition in the history. it is for this day every struggle was made by the political parties, remembering those who gave their lives for the restoration of the democracy. it is time that politicians should avoid political bickering and together they should stand against all the problems and challenges that we as a nation is facing.

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nukhan

May 17, 2013 05:04am

Ruling the country according to ALQURAN and AL SUNNAH is the only way to solve country's chronic problems, we find all the causal reasons for our problems, but solution to those problems is in following the footsteps of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and rightly guided Kalifs. They set the model for an effective and efficient governance. Until these rulers, adopt simplicity and serve the nation like the Kalifs did, I don't think they will bring about any positive change, So they need to reform first, act like and be like an ordinary citizens, get rid of elitist lifestyle, for example convert these pm and president houses etc into public libraries or schools or hospitals, only then will they gain the confidence of the nation. At this stage our country can't afford our leaders to enjoy these luxuries, we need money to be spent on health education, infrastructure etc.. May ALLAH swt guide all of us to straight path and grant TAQWA in the hearts of these leaders. Ameen.

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nukhan

May 17, 2013 04:41am

If this new govt has the Taqwa of Allah swt and runs according to AL QURAN and AL SUNNAH, only then we will find solutions to all the problems. Period. We find casual reasons for everything that is happening bad in the country, but there is no commitment to rule the country according to commands of Allah swt to solve the chronic issues that country is going through. All these rulers who come in power are for their good and not for the citizens, the first sign of change that I think will bring about the confidence in the nation is to convert all these prime minister and president houses for public use, these rulers like the Khulfah's should live life of ordinary citizens and address their problems, until this happens, I don't think there will be a positive change. This new govt like previous govt is going to be another elite govt unless they reform themselves, and demonstrate by taking practical steps to win the confidence of the nation.

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haris

May 17, 2013 04:44am

Yes, mr. Khan, I totally agree with you. That is the way to go forward. Our country need humble and God fearing leaders.

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Mohammad afzal

May 16, 2013 04:12pm

If the industrial wheel starts moving 24/7 and no hinderance is put in implementing law in its true spirit, day will not be far off when Pakistan will be standing along with the respectable nations. Good luck Mr Nawaz Sharif and Mr. Imran Khan.

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Yawar

May 16, 2013 01:32am

PML-N has its hands full: terrorism, sectarianism, load shedding, bad education, unemployment, corruption, tax evasion, infrastructure issues including electricity transmission and stealth, trash and sewage issues, lack of good roads, water issues, Railways, PIA, Port Qasim, etc. etc. Rather than one by one, PML-N will have to resolve all the problems, many of which are interrelated, simultaneously. They have no other choice. Let us see where we stand five years from now.

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Dr. Abdullah Kamran

May 16, 2013 04:11am

If they have learned from their past mistakes, sincerely devote to selfless placement of proper priorities AND try to put their example as the first instance - like the Prophet sallalahu alaihe wa-sallam, then surely they will come up victors.

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nationalist

May 16, 2013 06:43am

Pakistan has got new govt:, which seems bent on eradicating all problems. but it seems if their desires are impossible to acquire. Their was confusing political mess before elction, but now the environment is clear. Public is wondering about the path which N League will take. Good Luck Nawaz Sharif. God Bless Pakistan

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jaffri

May 16, 2013 06:34am

Main problem in Pakistan is lawlessness. Murders are going on in the name of religion, sect, linguistic group and law enforcement. Murderers pose as if their action was sacred and not a crime. Federal and provincial governments will have to tackle each murder strictly as a crime no matter if it is of an alleged criminal by law enforcing agency personnel or of a common citizen for alleged blasphemy. Once life protection is guaranteed, investors will return to Pakistan. Main investment in energy sector will solve energy crisis. Once Pakistan starts developing at a good pace, interest will develop among people to improve trade relations with neighbours like India and Afghanistan. Few voices that we hear at the moment against normalisation of relations with India will automatically be quiet in that scenario.

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Mohammad afzal

May 16, 2013 05:06pm

Neither five yrs nor three yrs, results should become visible within one year. At least sincere efforts should be put to stop the downfall trend in economy and cap the unnecessary expenses.

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Rizwan Hamid . USA

May 17, 2013 01:20am

With Mr. 10% as Presidnt of pakistan and the head of the ruling party, every politician and bureaucract took cue that it was open game to fill their pockets to the maximum while they have a chance. The Country has now gotten rid of them. Mr. Shariff has a clear mandate to put the country on the right path. At leasr for the next two years, it is our duty to lend him every support, and fully back him. We should only criticize if no effort is being made. We do however have to be patient, for he is inheriting a mess, and he cannot tackle everything at the same time, with no money in the coffers.

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May 15, 2013 05:22pm

While wishing the best for attempting to solve some of the issues mentioned. it may be prudent to keep the fingers crossed.

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