I agree with Khawaja Umer Farooq on his proposals for Pakistan (May 19). The results of the May 11 elections were influenced by Taleban weeks before the actual elections; they not only threatened the liberal parties for running election campaigns but also implemented the same by resorting to suicide bombings, bomb blasts, sectarian killings and kidnappings. The three parties, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), the Awami National Party (ANP) and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), were forced to tone down their campaigning while their counterparts had a free hand. The right-wing parties were able to hold huge rallies, processions and meetings across the country without any fear. Such rallies and meetings are part of the election fever in Pakistan wherein parties’ past performance is overshadowed by a concerted and colorful campaign. The Taleban were able to restrict voter-turnout in ANP’s stronghold where right-wing candidates won by bagging a mere 12,000-18,000 votes.

Of course, this is a lesson for liberal parties: If they want to survive in Pakistan, then they have to mend fences with the Taleban or face the consequences. The chief minister-designate for the KPK province has already offered the olive branch to the Taleban. His message to them was: “We will give you respect and enter into negotiations to bring peace.” Sadly the right-wing parties fail to understand that the Taleban will not be content with getting “respect or signing agreements.” A number of peace agreements signed by the Taleban with the army and the government have gone down the drain as the Taleban use the time for negotiations to re-group or re-arm. This is quite evident from the occupation of Swat Valley in 2008.

There may be lessons for the liberal parties in this election to perform better if they ever come to power. However, I foresee a series of lessons for the right-wing parties at the hands of the Taleban in the coming months and years. — Masood Khan, Jubail