Corruption begins in the rural heartland where feudal chiefs exploit peasants. Left with only salty marsh land, a farmer and his ragged family say they can't even expect help from the police. In one town they couldn't vote in elections because their MP was bombed as a result of religious rivalry between the Sunni and the Shi'ite. Carried by supporters, his deputy, crippled in the blast, attacks the Shi'ites and the government. Such fundamentalist groups hold the moral high ground and cite corruption and economic discontent as motivating factors. Despite Nawaz Sharif's promises to solve the country's problems by offering "good, clean, honest government", fundamentalist groups such as Jamaat I Islami see him as another symbol of a rotten system. One Mullah warns of an Islamic uprising: "we will organise the people and we will look for our chance." Behind the scenes, former military leaders form their own political movement and strengthen their links with the Islamic groups. A judicious report on Pakistan's last chance at democracy.

Produced by ABC Australia