Zahra Shahid Hussain was a tour de force. Nothing seemed impossible for her to conquer and she made it all seem so easy. Her ready smile and twinkling eyes lined with kohl will always be in my mind’s eye. My parents counted Zahra Hussain and her husband, Shahid Hussain, as one of their closest friends. The towering Uncle Shahid, in his white kurta pajama and deep baritone, was a gentleman to the core who had a vast repertoire of stories. As for Zahra Aunty, she was a woman of deep conviction and strength. Fearless and passionate, she was a great ally to have in your corner. She was my mother’s friend, but she was extremely fond of us kids. Many a time she would pull me aside to ask,

 “My dear lovely girl, how are you doing?”

“Beta, Zahra convinced me to go. She said she will take me with her and will look after me.”

On May 13, 2013 my maternal grandfather Abdul Majeed, died at the age of 85. He was suffering from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. (COPD). As a result of this illness his lungs were not able to function properly and fill in the required amount of oxygen. This became the eventual cause of his death. Not only was he bedridden and totally immobile since late March, he had been finding it increasingly difficult to breathe since the beginning of May. However, despite his condition, he actually took the trouble, fought severe pain and found the strength deep inside him to get up and vote. His polling station was Government Shipowners' College in North Nazimabad. His sons carried him to the car, hoping that the security would allow them to park inside and then they might be able to carry him to the polling booth. But as suspected, the security personnel refused to let the car enter the polling station. At this point, my family had given up. My dejected uncles told my grandfather that it was impossible for him to vote, but, he thought otherwise. Without any deterrent in his intent and spirit he emphatically told his sons that he simply has to vote.  Upon hearing this, the security personnel told them that a lady on a wheelchair had gone inside to vote and they might be able to ask her for a favour when she returned. They did as they were told and the youth made way for him. Now, to cut the story short- my grandfather voted. Just two days later, he passed away, but went with the peace of mind that he had cast his vote for a better Pakistan for his grandchildren. It is important to understand here, the amount of pain nana must have endured on Election Day. Just the thought of it gives me goose bumps. For some, the fact that my grandfather voted might be ordinary and nothing unusual, but I can assure you that it was a tremendous effort on his part and was truly inspirational. Sometimes I wonder whether it was the passion to vote that kept him alive till the elections, but I’ll never know. After election day, he felt sicker than before; the effort put in and energy spent to vote got the best of him. Initially, I thought of asking one of my family members if they knew who he voted for but then I realised that it doesn’t even matter. He voted, and that's all that counts. I know that nana had an idea of ‘a change’ and he must have staunchly believed in somebody to the point where he risked his life to stamp a ballot paper. At the age of 85, he still believed that a single vote could bring about a change; living in North Nazimabad he ought to very well know the dangers surrounding this procedure, but that did not stop him from voting. Furthermore, I personally believe that he must have had some sort of an idea that he wouldn’t be around to vote the next time around, or he might not even live to see the elected government's performance but that didn’t stop him from casting his vote either. I am fairly certain he voted for his posterity - for a change that Pakistan deserves. He could have easily turned his back on Pakistan two days before his death but he chose to give it one last shot, in case it mattered. If a person on his deathbed can be so optimistic about Pakistan do we, who might have decades ahead of us, have any more legitimate and rational reasons not to want the best for our country? So if you live in NA-250 constituency or anywhere where there might be re-polling do not even think of snubbing the re-election. Go out again and use your vote! It may or may not affect the overall outcome, but you would have still played your part in bringing out the change that you so desperately desire. Re-vote, because we owe this to Pakistan! Read more by Ahmed here

One factor which always made me proud to be a part of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) was the its representation in each and every nook and cranny of Pakistan. However on May 11, the people’s verdict not only wiped out PPP from three provinces, but also clearly rejected our manifesto and our welfare programmes. PPP’s defeat is not merely a defeat of the party but a defeat of an ideology; it’s the defeat of roti, kapra aur makaan and of the policies we have been carrying since 2008. It’s a defeat of the downtrodden class as still it’s the only party which is being backed by the downtrodden class of Pakistan. Despite what their mandate is, it cannot be denied that if any party truly represents the downtrodden class of Pakistan, it is the PPP. This is a party where someone like me, the son of a labourer, is given the liberty to openly criticise not only my leadership but their worst policies and decisions over last few years. PPP remains unbeatable in Sindh and that’s not just because of the Benazir Income Support Programme or Syed Qaim Ali Shah’s policies; it is because Sindhis don’t have an alternative to PPP and Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. They know that if anyone will stand with the underprivileged people of Sindh, it is be the song of Muhtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed. Thus, I think that it would be wrong to assume that we won Sindh because of our policies. During the last five years, I did not see Qaim Ali Shah in more than one PPP jalsa every year. He, along with his cabinet, remained confined to the office and private parties. In this case, it is important to thank the masses who remained Bhutto loyalists even though we went against the wishes and aspirations of our Sindhi brethren more than once. They forgave our mistakes and gave us another chance to make functional our new policies for the people. As far as Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) and Balochistan are concerned, PPP has been ousted with a huge mandate. However, the consequences which led to PPP’s defeat especially in Punjab should be considered. My leadership must realise and accept that the Seraiki province and the resolutions passed in favour of this province resulted in mass rejection. I still wonder why my leadership didn’t learn anything from Taj Mohammad Langa who kept striving for a Seraiki province even though he remained deprived of massive support in the region. Why didn’t we learn from the success of the All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) in Chitral, where it managed to grab to NA seats even though Pervez Musharraf had announced an election boycott? People elected his candidates just because of the Lowary Tunnel which has been Musharraf’s gift to Chitralis. I guess the lesson to be learned here has been put very well in the Urdu proverb,

“Jo dikhta hai wo bikta hai.” (What is visible is what sells.)

The people of Pakistan have finally spoken and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has won by a landslide. Supporters of this party are undoubtedly elated; they might not have been as expressive in declarations of their support but they certainly have been demonstrative of their support through the ballot. I voted for PML-N because I felt it satisfactorily addressed the list of pressing matters that I personally prioritise for Pakistan: 1) PML-N respects democracy The acute civil-military imbalance that characterises Pakistan’s power disequilibrium is an issue that I view as pressing; it also offshoots several other troubles in the country. It demands rectification and PML-N has shown the clearest stance in this regard by upholding the rule of civilians. Respect for the mandate of elected-representatives; autonomy from the military establishment, its ventures, adventures, forays into the political and policy-making arena. Picking and sticking to such a stance, in my opinion, is the first right step in the direction of its redressing. 2) PML-N will help Pakistan develop Their economic and infrastructural focus has always been palpable and their track record is a testament to that. From the M2, setting up of NADRA, dams and power plants, PML-N has delivered (in the past) in the little time that they were given in contrast to their mandate of a total of 10 years in separate stints at the federal government. The Metro Bus system has also been a noteworthy project that cannot be denied as not having benefited countless people, regardless of the criticism it has received. 3) PML-N makes education a priority  The party has proven its seriousness towards education. Apart from establishing the outstanding Danish Schools, the Punjab government has shown effective implementation of education reforms all over Punjab. These were criminally underreported in Pakistan but yielded remarkable results. 4) PML-N is a politically mature party A specific characteristic that struck me about the party had been its sense of political maturity and responsibility. I believe that PML-N displayed judiciousness by allowing the last government to complete its term and not bestowing a crown of political martyrdom and victimhood on its head. If the PML-N’s role is seen in this regard and context, then it also gets credit for contributing to the milestone of the first term completion of a democratically-elected government in Pakistan and thus, facilitating the transfer of power from one democratically-elected government to another which these elections were. In its continuous display of political sagacity, PML-N has also brought together all opposition parties against the “circus” that Tahirul Qadri put up in Islamabad; a reiteration of the party’s pledge to stand by democratic principles. PML-N’s leaders also did not reciprocate the mudslinging and pot-shot -taking initiated by Imran Khan. 5) PML-N does not ignore Balochistan It is a party that reached out to Baloch leaders and called upon them to contest in the elections. In September 2012, PML-N announced its backing to the six-point proposals of Akhtar Mengal in improving conditions of the people of Balochistan. Having said as much, I was and am conscious and critical of PML-N’s flaws and know that the party I chose for these elections may not be the best. I also know that the aforementioned points I have penned as my reasons to support it may even be or are found in other party’s stances, manifestos and works. However, the collective existence of all of these points in a single party constituted a reason enough for me to cast my vote for them. Now that they have been elected as the government, PML-N will - understandably under the pressure of its mandate - fulfil its duties and expectations of the nation. It is required that they actualise the roadmap they presented in their manifesto: from economic revival and growth, curbing terrorism and maintenance of law and order in the country - especially in areas where the government’s writ has been blown to smithereens. I urge them to deal with the energy crisis present, to work towards the reintegration of FATA into the political and national mainstream and the for country-wide implementation of their education reforms of Punjab. I would also like to see PML-N depoliticise the sports board. PML-N can also rid the influence of the undemocratic forces in Pakistan by assertive democratisation of the country which can largely be established through good governance. Keeping aside the emergence of rigging allegations and controversies surrounding the elections for a moment, there is little doubt that these elections have been a historic one for Pakistan. Witnessing the first transfer of power from one civilian democratically-elected government to another, with the highest voter turnout to date, I can state that democracy has already won. The single sentiment that has simultaneously surged with the results of the elections has been of hope. Even if the PML-N was not the pick of some people, I hope that the new government will open a new chapter in Pakistan’s tumultuous journey that sees the beginning of what every Pakistani wants: a better, prosperous and progressive Pakistan. Read more by Hafsa here.

Dear Pakistan, When you walked into the polling booth, you didn’t vote for an individual party or a candidate; you voted for Pakistan. Congratulations on winning! This was one of the bloodiest electoral contests in memory, yet you persisted. The past five years for you were engulfed with markers of dissonance: The unforgettable lawyer’s movement, the NRO crisis that threw the nation in turmoil, Salman Taseer’s unfortunate murder, the Abbottabad fiasco, Memogate and the expulsion of Ambassador Haqqani, the atrocity at Sallala and the resulting NATO supply route blockade, the disqualification of former prime minister Gilani, Malala’s shooting and the subsequent outpour of sympathy from leaders across the world, along with the murder of countless Hazaras, Shias and other religious and ethnic minorities. Missing from this list are the narratives of the victims of the blasphemy law, acid attacks, and thousands of others who suffered and died. We’ve been through much lately, no? Nonetheless, the elections galvanised the nation and for that, you deserve credit. You overcame, and voted - in droves. Moving on, there is more that needs to be done, and you are going to be the catalyst for change, not the party in power. You are going to demand more on the various fronts we lack vitality in, education, economy, and security being the most important, but don’t forget to ask for those who lack voices in our system. We’re falling behind on a number of factors with respect to our neighbours, so now you’re going to have to contribute. Reach across the border, and demand constructive ties with India; trade and bilateral talks will naturally follow. After all, it’s in our collective interest. Ties with India in the past couple of years have ebbed and flowed. We signed visa agreements last year, relaxed barriers to trade but what followed were months of cross border skirmishes. No longer can we afford a pause in our relationship. 2014 is fast approaching, which means Afghanistan will once again be left to its own. This is an opportunity to help a crumbled economy recover from years of warfare, so don’t let the chance slip. It’s an area of focus that is vital to our foreign policy, so act with prudence and measure. And no, there’s no such thing as the Pincer Movement stop with the hysteria, it does more harm than good. Resist the forces of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP)  and other militant outfits with resolve. Whatever your affiliation, realise that militancy is your enemy, not your neighbour who may be a member of another party or religion. Militancy is a parasite eating at the image of this country. On that note, your own laws reflect poorly on your image. Don’t you think that with the talk of change and reform, the vaguely phrased blasphemy law needs to be scrapped? Oh, and if you find the time, please get #FreeSherry trending as an ambassador, she is a victim of that same blasphemy law that brought shame to your name with the cases of Aasia Bibi and Rimsha Masih. And most importantly, learn to question your leaders. Set a strong precedence so that others be warned before they mistreat the sanctity of the nation’s governing doctrine. Here’s a story from the Humans of Karachi Facebook page that really reflects your hidden spirit embrace it.

 “An old baba comes out after casting his vote grinning toothlessly. ‘Kiss ko vote diya?’ (Who did you vote for?) Shouts someone from the crowd waiting their turn. Hands up in the air he shouts, ‘Pakistan ko beta!’” (Child, I gave my vote to Pakistan)

The big day we have all been waiting for is finally here! The voting is over and counting has begun. We are here to keep an eye on reactions and comments  from all over Pakistan for you. Read below for minute by minute updates on what people have to say. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………                                                         END OF  LIVE UPDATES ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 11:00pm As the results pour in, talk of a strong PTI-led opposition to 'control' the PLM-N makes the rounds. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 10:45 pm While most people on social media are complaining after a gruelling day at the polling station, here's one that sees the glass half full: ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 10:33pm As ANP's Ghulam Bilour withdraws from the elections, people develop deep respect for him that does not look like it will fade away any soon! ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 9:55pm The neighbours are following our general elections too, and they have good things to say! ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 9:25pm PML-N and PTI supporters cheer over their parties taking the lead. It is getting difficult for voters to wait for the final results! ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 9:10pm Pakistanis worry for Karachi and violence continues. Two rangers die in a bomb blast in Manghopir. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 8:50pm Pakistanis commend the determination of their fellow countrymen who voted despite the troublesome conditions. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 8:30pm Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan is certain about PTI taking the crown in Multan. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 7:57pm Meanwhile in Nazimabad, people have heard a loud explosion and are fearing the worst. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 7:43pm ECP announces re-polling to be held in NA-250 from 42 polling stations, where voting was problematic. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 7:41pm Voters develop a new kind of respect for ANP after their smooth performance in the polls. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 7:32pm  The enthusiasm is contagious! [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="512" caption="Photo: AFP"][/caption] ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 7:23pm What could be in store for Imran Khan? ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 7:20pm With the ups and downs of the election process, some good was highlighted. People seem to be pleased with the Rangers' performance. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 7:16pm Who says only the youth supports PTI? (Photo: @chchbilal via Topsy) ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 7:12pm Here is a list of how many votes have been cast up till now per province. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 6:49pm Who do you think this rickshaw driver is voting for? [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="439" caption="Asad Hashim"][/caption] ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 6:41pm Let's not forget, Pakistanis are kind people. Many have reported that volunteers were passing around bottles of water, biscuits and other snacks for the voters who were patiently waiting under the scorching sun. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 6:39pm In other electoral concerns... ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 6:27pm People are evidently disgruntled and frustrated with the chaotic voting procedure and the ECP's failure in organisation. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 6:13pm Not only are people going to vote for th first time, many are seeing the state of government schools for the first time too. Could this lead to more positive change? Optimism is definitely on the rise in Pakistan. Voter turnout has been encouraging. Having said as much, lets remember that it hasn't been easy getting here. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 6:01pm Imran Khan supporters at Lalak Jan chowk, Lahore. PHOTO: @declanwalsh ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 5:59pm It is astounding and heartwarming to see the josh. This is definitely a new Pakistan. If you haven't voted yet, there is still time! PHOTO: SHAHID AFRIDI ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 5:55pm Pakistanis keen on never letting the country fail. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… (Photo via @MawaraTaj) 5:47pm This Pakistani is ready to caste his vote! (PHOTO: @OfficialMQM via Twitter) ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 5:42pm Things seem to be going in an organised way in Faisalabad. PHOTO: SHAMSUL NAZ ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 5:30pm A lot of voters are fed up of the long wait and are turning back to go home despite the 3 hour extension in many areas of Karachi. Have you given up yet? Meanwhile, in Faisalabad, the voting process seems to be running smoothly in a much more organised fashion than in Karachi. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 5:28pm If you haven't voted, there's still time! ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 5:22pm Pakistani women line up to vote. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="480" caption="(PHOTO: @NewsKenyaKoKe via Topsy)"][/caption]   ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 5:08pm As Geo creates frenzy over election results, Pakistanis wonder how this is possible before polling has even come to an end. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 4:58pm Voters are disappointed in the ECP as it admits these elections are not free and fair. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 4:55pm Here's to hoping that there is a 60-80% voter turn out this year! ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 4:53pm Like many others voting in NA-250, it took Nadeem F Paracha hours to caste his vote. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 4:41pm Clearly NA-250 is a strong constituency and people know it. But why the silence over events transpiring in other areas? People gather in crowds in the NA 250 constituency, still waiting to vote. (PHOTO: MANAHYL KHAN) ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 4:35pm Age will not get in our way. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 4:27pm Did you know that ECP has formed a 24 hour complaint center? Here is the numbers:

0519210801-05

Absa School of Deaf and Dumb has no stamps that need to be at the back of every vote. Where is ECP? Hundreds of votes wasted!

10:45am

The turn-out, at the hot seat of Karachi NA-250, was huge but elections at various polling stations of the constituency are reportedly being hindered.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 10:42am Good news Karachiites!

'Rangers and Police are bringing ballot boxes to polling stations. Hold your ground and wait, change is not far now! We are inching close to a Naya Pakistan with every vote that gets cast.'

(Pakistan Tehreek-e-insaf)

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 10:33am Requesting Pakistanis to stay calm and vote! (@sharmeenochinoy)   (@syedwaleedshah) ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 10:30am (@DrAwab) ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 10:20am Pakistan disappointing young voters with inefficiency (@AsadNasir80) Meanwhile in Lahore... ( Farzana Mussa) ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 10:15am KARACHI: A blast followed another one in Daud Chali Qaidabad area of Karachi near an Awami National Party (ANP) election office, earlier blast killed six and injured around 30. Stay safe, stay strong!

This year’s parliamentary elections have come and gone and, by all accounts, it is a victory for democracy, with the people of the country having elected their candidates by voting them into parliament. May 11 was a highly significant day for voters as this was the one day when they had the opportunity to elect or reject candidates through the power of votes, and that’s exactly what they did. According to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), the turnout remained around 60 per cent which is a very positive sign as this was previously witnessed in the first general elections in 1970. Those who have never voted before, also cast their votes. I think, for this, the credit goes to the media, which carried out a campaign of sorts informing the people about the power of the ballot. Returning officers I talked to told me that they had never seen such a huge number of voters in earlier elections. Being a journalist, May 11 was an important day in my life as I learnt many things, this being the first time I covered an election, and it was a great experience. I had the opportunity to cover the two constituencies of the federal capital, NA-49 and NA- 48, as well as NA-50 in Murree, where the turnout remained almost 60 per cent. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) Javed Hashmi won the NA-48 seat against the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) candidate Mian Muhammad Aslam. Interestingly, the JI candidate was considered a favourite in this constituency as he had won this seat in 2002 from the platform of the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal. However, Hashmi defeated him by a huge margin. Political observers believe that the PTI’s final rally in Islamabad changed the scenario in this constituency, with Imran Khan addressing his supporters through a video link. In NA-49, the capital’s second constituency, the PML-N’s Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry won this seat against the PTI candidate Chaudhry Ilyas Mehrban. This constituency includes some rural areas where clan and biradri concerns matter. I believe the PTI could have won this seat if it had awarded the ticket for this constituency to Raja Khurram, who is well-known locally and is from the Rajgan clan. As for the NA-50 constituency in Murree, which has traditionally been a PML-N stronghold, that trend continued with party stalwart Shahid Khaqan Abbasi winning against a PPP candidate. Read more by Obaid here

Dear Imran, I was a schoolgirl in the 80’s and I know you. I remember the excitement of the Brooke Bond ad, the value of your autograph. I remember the pages in slam books dedicated to you. I know who my boy-cousins and chacha’s were pretending to be when they swung a bat over their shoulders and sauntered onto a cricket pitch, the way a teenage Waseem Akram used to look at you. That’s right, Skipper, my generation remembers all that. I also remember the day your beaming face lifting the World Cup was banned from national TV. My nineties-born boy cousins were named ‘Imran,’ they live with that name today. I remember one of Jemima’s earliest interviews when she said she knew her husband ‘was popular in Pakistan—but she had no idea he was this popular.’ ‘Bimbo,’ I thought…along with the rest of the women in this country. ‘Where did you come from?’ Who could like that woman for marrying…and then leaving…Imran Khan… ‘No Hugh Grant ever matched up, huh Jem?’ I watched with unease when you were ridiculed in politics, when flibbertigibbets like Nadia Khan could smirk publicly at you. When you shed the playboy shirts and donned the awami suit. You made my heart sink with your vote on the Women’s Bill. I winced as you talked about the Ahmedis.

‘Who is he, really?’ I wondered.

We can’t afford to lose…this man.

In the general elections of 2008, I was assigned the duty of managing a polling station. It was the first time that I was summoned (of course unwillingly) to conduct polling in a remote village area. I knew this job was not a piece of cake and I prepared myself for anything unexpected. Since I did not have any strong connections, I was obliged to do the job. One day before the polling, I was called in court to collect the polling material and meet with the rest of the staff members. My court orders clearly mentioned that I had the powers of a first-class magistrate on polling day and that I could take legal action on spot in case of any mishap. I wondered if such a thing occurred and I messed with a mighty person, who was going to protect me right after the polling when my legal powers would be revoked? I would simply be restored to the position of an ordinary university teacher, no doubt. Aware of the potential consequences, I reminded myself of Einstein's quote suggesting not to think about the future as it comes soon enough. I also had Murphy's Law reverberating in my mind,

"Anything that can go wrong will go wrong".

 "Since many people have not come to cast vote, now it is time to fill the remaining ballots and use the votes which will be otherwise wasted."

Despite the hardships of the past four months, we are engaged in the most momentous elections in Pakistan’s brief democratic history. For once, this nation is echoing a uniform concern: who is worthy of shaping the next five years of our future? And as we arrive at the answer to this question independently, something has changed. Our expectations from the next government of Pakistan have changed; our standards for what we will settle for in the next half decade have changed. To the future government of Pakistan, elected into power on May 11, 2013, I want to say: You are more than merely a body of elected officials. You represent a turning point in the history of this country. We demand that you listen to our voice. Stop watching in silence as our journalists and social workers are targeted. Give us true freedom of speech. Stop ignoring our demands, from unbanning YouTube to reducing electricity load-shedding. Let us know what a better standard of life feels like. Answer us when we question why you let drone attacks kill civilians up north. Satisfy us when we ask for an end to inefficient, corrupt governance of Balochistan as religious minorities perish year after year. We will not settle unless you recognise yourself as lawful servers of the nation. Live like the average citizen. Understand that you do not have the right to disrupt millions of lives by jamming traffic every time you decide to cross a street with your VIP security protocol. Accept that you must pay your taxes like you ask the rest of us to, so that you feel the need to see this tax revenue translate into facilities for your people. Stop buying land illegally and laundering money out of the country in your hidden bank accounts at the expense of thousands who starve to make ends meet. Feel the pain of your nation as if it is your own, so that you want to do something about it. We are adamant that you put your country first, before everything else, before religion and kin and diplomacy and political ties. Stop addressing the members of your political party every time you make a speech. Address the entire population, including the Shias and the Ahmadis and the Hindus and the Christians. Understand that before every other kind of affiliation, comes our nationality. No matter what ethnicity or religion we identify with, we are all Pakistani. Give every citizen the right to live freely, without fear of persecution. Be strong enough to fight your own causes. Work to stand on your own feet, without leaning on foreign political powers or extremist fundamentalists to serve your interests, only to have it all backfire in the face of your people. Make your decisions, and stop degrading yourself in the eyes of the world, and most importantly your own people. Set some example, some precedence of justice. We are tired of watching our comrades die without any hope of an impartial investigation. We are sick of knowing that every time we get hurt, there will be no one to point our finger at, no punishment, and no reprimand. Erase the contempt of law, for which you yourself remain the worst offender. Let your people know what security feels like. Let the next national hero be someone other than another martyred innocent you could not save. And when we criticise you, talk back; make it transparent, responsive, and accountable. Remind us that you are one of us, and be honest with us as to what the reality of our state is. Guide us in how we can serve this nation, instead of leaving us in the dark, fighting our way out of misery alone and abandoned. We will assist you. We will stand by you, if you give us something to stand for. We are tired of being lied to. Do not deceive us as every one of your predecessors has. Stop considering the military your back up plan for running this country. Stop using Islam as a tool to achieve political agendas. Stop watching us die from your heavily guarded forts. Stop doing nothing. As citizens of this country on the brink of casting our ballot, we have once again assumed responsibility for the fate of this country. It is time you reciprocate the sentiment. It is time you share this responsibility, dear leaders. Read more by Areeba here.