EVERYONE hopes the country’s future will be different, but will it take the liberal, progressive shape that many want? Unhappily, there are several indications to the contrary. Even a cursory view of recent decades shows that Pakistani citizens have leaned increasingly towards conservatism. There are myriad reasons for this, including ill-judged domestic and international policies that have left Pakistanis feeling vulnerable, alienated and defensive. Given that the country’s population is skewed heavily towards the young, many put their faith in the next generation. But there too the horizon is dark. A survey by the British Council based on over 5,000 respondents in urban and rural areas and aged between 18 and 29 years is an eye-opener: only 29 per cent believe in democracy as a system, as opposed to 32pc that would prefer military rule, and 38pc talk of Sharia; on the eve of an election, 94pc feel that the country is headed in the wrong direction — up from 50pc in 2007. And it is not hard to understand these figures, given young people’s worries about the economy and the environment of violence.

It is possible to argue that the findings are indicative more of disillusionment with the manner in which politicians have governed than antipathy to the idea of democracy itself. Nevertheless, the outlook demands a strategic rethink. Political forces need to take note — and not by pandering to retrogressive sentiment. The silver lining is that the main political parties still do not identify themselves with the religious right. They need to help their supporters turn this corner too, and one of the ways to accomplish this is to educate the youth on why democracy has been derailed so frequently — and how the blame rests not only with extra-constitutional forces. The international community must also recognise its role in Pakistanis reaching this juncture. The only remedy lies in ensuring that the democratic order is strengthened to a point where it shines brighter than a mirage.