The PILDAT Annual Report 2007-2008 is significant this year as it showcases the sixth year of PILDAT’s work and achievements. PILDAT was established by a dedicated core team back in 2001 and it is a moment of great pride for the PILDAT team that this indigenous organisation has completed six years of its modest contribution to the field of democracy and strengthening of democratic institutions in Pakistan.
The PILDAT Annual Report 2007-2008 covers the period from July 01, 2007 to June 30, 2008. Like previous years, PILDAT’s work reflect the organisation’s commitment to strengthening democracy and democratic institutions through a firm focus on objective, non-partisan research on crucial political and public policy issues in the country.
Major highlights of the year include PILDAT’s pre- election and election-process work under the Citizen GrouponElectoralProcess–CGEP.TheCGEPhasto its credit over 20 publications including research- based position papers, background papers, analyses and reports relating to various aspects of the election process which were widely used by the news media, political parties and other stakeholders to highlight issues relating to election process. Owing to CGEP’s eminent stature and its objective and research-based stance, CGEP’s position and perspective on various electoral processes and issues was sought by the news media throughout the pre-electoral phase. The CGEP undertook electoral Fact Finding Missions to Quetta; Attock; Gujrat; Sialkot; Thatta and Badin in addition to Karachi, Lahore and Peshawar where CGEP Members interacted with local candidates and reported back in meetings. The CGEP members met and interacted with leadership of major political parties including late Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and Mr. Asif Ali Zardari of the PPPP, Mr. Nawaz Sharif and Mr. Shahbaz Sharif of the PML-N, Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain of the PML in addition to leadership of regional parties.
