When Pakistan became independent in 1947, Britain bequeathed it a parliamentary system. Not until last week, however, did Pakistan's rulers get around to adopting a feature normally associated with such a system: nationwide general elections. From the rugged Khyber Pass at Afghanistan's doorstep to the Chittagong Hills near the jungles of Burma, some 40 million voters turned out at polling places. Despite their newness to the process, they seemed to know exactly what they wanted. Picking their way through the conflicting claims of 20-odd parties, they gave an overwhelming endorsement to only...
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