Similarly, a third of all the female candidates, mostly retainers of powerful feudal families or party-political activists, were elected unopposed and a third of the seats remained uncontested, highlighting the continued dominant influence of tribal and semi-feudal conservative traditions.

ECONOMIST: Pakistan��s peculiar election

Nor will elections alone: indeed, Pakistan would perhaps be more Islamist but for the pervasive influence of its most undemocratic force, the feudal landlords, who keep rural mullahs in check.

ECONOMIST: Islamist militancy is alive and well