Nelson Mandela was incarcerated for 28 years by one of the most reprehensible regimes in the world. Those terrible practitioners of apartheid killed, looted, plundered and destroyed the lives of thousands of their own people whom they considered inferior, merely because they were not white, while shamelessly trampling the dignity of colored people of the entire world. The South African struggle for freedom from apartheid finally resulted in a stunning victory for Nelson Mandela. The African National Conference which spearheaded the freedom movement smelt blood and were all set for punishing the apartheid regime of President de Klerk for their massive atrocities. But Nelson Mandela thought otherwise. In one of the most remarkable displays of statesmanship he pleaded for forgiveness and national reconciliation. Instead of putting him behind bars as was demanded by his followers, Mandella not only forgave de Klerk but also appointed him Deputy President in order to smoothen the process of reconstruction and restructuring of the country. Not content with this dramatic and most courageous act, Mandella voluntarily bowed out of politics after completing his first five-year term as President In forsaking revenge and choosing the path of reconciliation he has deservedly won the world's acclaim.. As a result today he is quite rightly seen as perhaps the most revered political leader in the world.

Pakistan today needs many Mandelas. Elections last month have left a split mandate, with no party able to form a government on its own. Various combinations and permutations have been studied. Senior leaders have scurried to and fro, from city to city, from home to home, attempting to solve the game of numbers. What finally emerged last week was that the PML(Q) supporting President Musharraf, could not muster the numbers to form a government, despite all efforts to cobble together broad coalitions. Instead, the MMA's candidate for Prime Minister, Maulana Fazlur Rahman, on Tuesday received the tacit, though not public, support of the PPPP. This caused a wave of panic in the King's Parties, which immediately asked the government to postpone the National Assembly session so that the Maulana may not run away with the prize. The army government was only too glad to oblige, fearing the world's reaction to a Mullah party in power and the perception of a Mullah Prime Minister with his finger on the nuclear trigger.

Simultaneously another viewpoint was gaining ground. It was becoming obvious that the either of the two contenders--PML(Q) or the MMA/ARD combination-- would have only a slim majority in Parliament, making it almost impossible for the Assembly to legislate. It would inevitably be in conflict with provinces not belonging to its group. And the possibility of such a week government lasting even a year or so looked bleak, leave alone completing its full 5-year term. Starting last Sunday efforts began in earnest to look for a more durable and efficient solution, one that would address the concerns of all the stakeholders; that would permit the Assembly to complete its term; that would bring inter-provincial harmony, a cherished objective of President Musharraf ; that would maintain the tempo of reforms, particularly those relating to devolution of power; and that would not drive fear into the world community already smarting from the horror of 9/11.

Such a solution could only come from a government of national unity. In the provinces majority parties would form their own governments-PML(Q) in Punjab, MMA in the Frontier, PPPP in Sind and a coalition in Baluchistan---while at the center all three would have representation, along with their allies .Meetings began Monday morning and a lot of work has since gone into making what presently looks like a utopian dream become reality.

For this to happen we need a Mandela in every party. A Mandela who can put away his personal and his party's interests and look at the larger picture. One who can forgive every slight, every humiliation he personally suffered, so that his people can have a better future. After all, many of the huge and insurmountable political disputes of today stemmed from no more than bruised egos. It will take a lot of goodwill, a lot of give and take and a huge amount tolerance for this to materialize. While protecting their own and their parties' interests the leaders have to accommodate the needs and rights of others and to give everyone else their space. But the rewards will be well worth the trouble. We will get truly representative governments in the provinces and at the center, looking after the interests of all the stakeholders. Provincial harmony will be achieved. Political and economic stability will inevitably follow, bringing about the era of prosperity this nation's suffering poor have long been waiting for. Devolution of power to the people would accelerate. And our very own Mandelas would also need to be patient. Hey must concede that all their demands will not be met at once.

But during the weeks and months and years ahead they will be able to resolve their outstanding issues through mutual consideration and compromise stemming from political acumen.

But most significantly, the perception of the world towards our country would surely change. There would be no more deriding our elections as a farce, once all the parties are willingly sharing in the fruits of their electoral successes. Nor would the world have cause to fear that our nuclear arsenal is slipping away into irresponsible hands. Or that we are sinking into chaos once again. Instead they will appreciate that we in Pakistan are fully capable of assuming the immense responsibilities that go along with the luxury of a democratic order.