Why the U.S. can be happy about Pakistan's elections

Not only has [Sharif] started speaking out on some of the issues most important to Pakistan's future, but he will be taking power at a time of near-unprecedented consensus in favor of civilian authority in Pakistan. The military, which is infamous for actually controlling the country’s destiny and interfering with civilian governance, has merely sat back and watched. This weekend's steps towards civilian control are not nearly sufficient to solve Pakistan’s problems — militancy, terrorism, a disturbingly large nuclear arsenal, constant electricity shortages, poor relations with its neighbors — but they are necessary. [The New Republic]

Regional peace and stability are a prerequisite for Pakistan to prosper. The prime minister-to-be, being a business-industrial tycoon, must know this better than anyone else. The earlier on in his tenure the tone is set the better.His recent interviews such as the one given to Dawn's Cyril Almeida, showed he has not only thought about these issues more than other leaders but has also a firm idea on how to proceed. This can only be good. [Dawn]

Sharif's senior advisors have... taken pains to highlight the party's longstanding partnership with the United States, including their boss's close relationship with former President Bill Clinton during his time in office. The message: Sharif is a known quantity to U.S. policymakers, as opposed to, say, Pakistani cricket icon Imran Khan, who has publicly threatened to shoot down U.S. drones if elected prime minister. [Foreign Policy]

This election, more than the previous one and certainly more than the sham elections I covered under the military dictatorship of General Pervez Musharraf, exhibited all of the signs of a vibrant democracy in the making.The challenges are many, but a step forward has been made, a step away from terminal collapse and toward something approaching a better future. Now the real work begins. [Globe and Mail]