The adjoining city with the country’s capital historically has not been great from the perspective of civilian leadership as it has witnessed the deaths of some high-profile leaders. Beginning from the assassination of the country’s first Prime Minister Liaqat Ali Khan to the first female Prime Minister of not only Pakistan but in fact the whole Muslim world Benazir Bhutto’s murder, Rawalpindi tendered its soil to absorb their blood. And not to forget, Zulfiqar ali Bhutto, the country’s first elected Prime Minister, was also hanged in the city of colleges.
Another reason that may let the politicians to question the feasibility of Rawalpindi for its being historically unfavorable to the civilian leadership is that Pakistan’s military headquarter is located in the city. Military, as we all know, is blamed for causing the ruin to this country as it always took over the power unconstitutionally and ruled the country for over 30 years.
However, it does not portray the full character of Rawalpindi. If Pakistan’s military has allegedly been responsible to bring the country at the crossroad of havoc, it is indisputably the savior of the country’s territorial integrity. The city is among the most exciting places in the country as it provides observers an opportunity to witness the worth-watching battles among some heavy weights in the elections.
For being adjacent to the country’s capital, Islamabad, and military’s base, Rawalpindi does not remain behind at all in making others feel about its importance. In addition, it is quite sure that the city is set to display another glimpse of all time electoral battles of the country in the most-awaited upcoming elections.
Written in the form of a blog by Mati Ullah Khan for Dispatch News Desk (DND)
