The major political parties have finally decided that they will contest the forthcoming general elections. This finally lay to rest the rumours of an all-out boycott of the polls from the big political parties. It`s good that better sense prevailed. A lot of time has already been wasted on deciding whether the polls should be boycotted or not. Now that Benazir Bhutto, Maulana Fazlur Rehman and Nawaz Sharif have decided to participate in the elections, they should stop making negative statements about the validity of the polls which reflects poorly on Pakistan`s image abroad.
It is ironic that those within the opposition camp of the Musharraf regime themselves indulged in mudslinging against each other during 1988-1999. Their behaviour is not likely to change no matter which party comes into power as old habits die-hard. They should stop behaving like schoolchildren and adopt an attitude reflecting maturity, rationality and, above all, compassion for fellow countrymen.