Democracy's Revenge? Pakistan's Elections and Beyond

Pakistan's February 18 elections appear to have upended the establishment and ended eight years of military rule. The peaceful and relatively free national elections capped a year of political turmoil that saw mass protests and emergency rule, as well as suppression of media, political activists, and the judiciary. Pakistan has also experienced a dramatic rise in militant violence that has killed thousands, including former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. Against dramatic odds, the Pakistani people overcame these hurdles in an attempt to restore democratic legitimacy to their government. The elections surpassed the expectations of analysts and international observers on many levels, especially given that President Musharraf's party and allies failed to win a significant number of parliamentary seats. This session will provide first-hand accounts of the election process in Pakistan, and analysis of where things will go from here.