Pakistan Has Spoken, Will Democracy Follow? Avaaz.org Petition and AD

Avaaz.org, a very active global online movement with a simple democratic mission has recently petitioned online users to support its campaign to promote democracy in Pakistan. You can participate in either signing the petition which stands at ~84,000 signatures (goal of 150,000) or even contribute to the publication of this full page ad in The News ($10,623 or equivalent to Rs. 648,000)

The people of Pakistan have overcome violence & rigging to cast a clear vote for civilian democracy. 75% want President Musharraf to go. But things are tense: Musharraf hints he could dismiss the new parliament and Western powers are still propping him up.

The Pakistani people have cast an undeniable vote for change. If they are betrayed, chaos could follow. Let’s back them with big advertisements (see right) in Pakistan’s The News, a respected broadsheet read by politicians, ambassadors and generals alike. The ad’s centerpiece is our petition calling for democracy to be supported not undermined – please sign the petition to help Pakistan’s democrats, or give a donation to help fund the ad

SIGN or CONTRIBUTE to the AVAAZ PETITION HERE

I also attach here a copy of their email to all their active supporters sent a few days back

Good news from Pakistan — opposition parties pledged to restore civilian democracy have won the elections for which we campaigned. But outrageously, President Musharraf still hints he may try to “get rid of” the new government if it challenges him. After imposing martial law last year and dismissing the judiciary to ensure his survival, he is testing the waters with his remaining backers in the West.

As the horse-trading begins, tensions are high and opposition protests are being tear-gassed. The Pakistani people have cast an undeniable vote for change and they must not be betrayed. Let’s give them our own vote of global support with big advertisements in Pakistan’s The News, a respected broadsheet read by politicians, ambassadors and generals alike, calling for the powers-that-be to support not undermine the people’s vote. We need to raise $10,632 for this — so click here to view and endorse the ad, then please give a donation if you can:

www.avaaz.org

Already last year, over 83,000 of us called on the international community to condemn General Musharraf’s crackdown and press for constitutional rule and free and fair elections. Avaaz campaigners delivered that message privately to high-level contacts in the US Congress and the British government, key supporters of the General who have since begun to shift. The election and polls suggest that 75% of the population want President Musharraf to go — but the Bush administration and other elements are still propping him up.

This is a golden moment, in which Pakistan’s voters have overcome widespread vote-rigging to set a course for civilian democracy. Now opposition leaders face the challenge of reinstating the free media and independent judiciary, undoing martial laws, and building the institutions and legitimacy that are essential for any lasting security in Pakistan.

Pakistan needs the international community to pledge greater help for this democratic effort, not to bully and meddle. So let’s send a ringing global message to the leaders, generals and ambassadors now politicking in Islamabad, and make sure they don’t bungle the transition that citizens of Pakistan, and of the world, demand. View the ad and give it your support at this link:

www.avaaz.org

With hope and determination,

Paul, Pascal, Galit, Esra’a, Ricken, Ben, Iain and the whole Avaaz team

Sources:

• Opposition victory in the elections over pro-Musharraf parties: – www.bloomberg.com
• Musharraf’s radical extremist allies also defeated: BBC News
• Musharraf hinted to the Wall Street Journal that he may not go quietly – “The clash would be if the prime minister and president would be trying to get rid of each other” (he retains martial law powers to dismiss prime minister and parliament): DAWN
• Last polls before the election, showing at least 75% want Musharraf to go: AlertNet