Democracy is the most essential and fundamental system for managing affairs of a society. It has certain important principles like citizen participation, equality, political tolerance, accountability, transparency, periodic, free and fair elections, multi-party system and the rule of law. True democratic states always follow these principles. True democracy leads to sustained social, economic and political stability and growth of a country. In Pakistan, various steps have been taken to make it a true democratic country. Unfortunately, true democracy could not flourish in true spirit in Pakistan and this remains a hurdle in the way of development of Pakistan.
Democracy in Pakistan faced many ups and downs from 1947 to date. From1947 to 1958, civilian government was in rule. In this period, the Objectives Resolution was passed on 12 March 1949 which proclaimed that the future constitution of Pakistan would be modeled on the ideology and democratic faith of lslam. In Constitution of 1956, it was declared that Pakistan will be an Islamic republic with the adoption of parliamentary democratic system of government.
From 1958 to 1968, military was in rule. Ayub Khan was the president. From1969 to 1972, military was in rule and the president was Yahya Khan. Economic grievances and political disenfranchisement in East Pakistan led to violent political tensions and armed repression, which ultimately led to the birth of Bangladesh.
Democracy again returned from 1972 to 1977 led by Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto. From1977 to 1988, military was again in rule led by Zia UI Haq. From 1988 to1999, civilians were in rule led by Benazir Bhutto (1988 to 1990), Nawaz Sharif (1990-1992 ), Benazir Bhutto (1993-1996) and again Nawaz Sharif (1997-1999). From 1999 to 2007, military was in rule led by Pervaiz Musharraf. From 2008-2012, civilians were again in rule led by Asif Ali Zardari. This was the first time in history of Pakistan that an elected civilian government successfully completed its term of five years. From 2013 to date, civilians are in rule led by Nawaz Sharif and democracy is flourishing. Political parties and military are showing maturity now.
Although democracy has now started flourishing in Pakistan, yet too much still need to be done to become a true democratic country. Following are the principles of true democracy.
Citizen participation may take many forms including standing for election, voting in elections, becoming informed, debating issues, and even protesting.
Equality means that all individuals are valued equally, have equal opportunities, and may not be discriminated based on their race, religion, ethnic group, gender or sexual orientation.
The rights of minorities (opposition ) must be protected. A democratic society is rich in diversity. If the majority deny rights to and destroy their opposition, then they also destroy democracy. Decisions are more likely to be accepted, even by those who oppose them, if all citizens have been allowed to discuss, debate, and question them.
In a democracy, elected and appointed officials have to be accountable to the people. They are responsible for their actions. Officials must make decisions and perform their duties according to the will and wishes of the people, not for themselves.
For government to be accountable, the people must be aware of what is happening in the country. This is referred to as transparency in government. A transparent government holds public meetings and allows citizens to attend. In a democracy, the press and the people are able to get information about what decisions are being made, by whom and why. One way citizens of the country express their will is by electing officials to represent them in government. Democracy insists that these elected officials are chosen and peacefully removed from office in a free and fair manner.
In order to have a multi-party system, more than one political party must participate in elections and play a role in government. A multi-party system allows for opposition to the party, which wins the election. This helps provide the government with different viewpoints on issues. Additionally, a multiparty system provides voters with a choice of candidates, parties and policies to vote for. Historically, when a country only has one party, the result has been a dictatorship.
In a democracy no one is above the law, not even a king or an elected President. This is called the rule of law. It means that everyone must obey the law and be held accountable if they violate it. Democracy also insists that the law be equally, fairly and Consistently enforced. Judiciary should keep a check on the actions of the government.
"Democracy is the government of the people, by the people, for the people." Abraham Lincoln
Various steps have been taken to make Pakistan a democratic state. In fact, these steps have roots back into the colonial era. For example, demand for separate electorate in Shimla Deputation 1905, acceptance of demand for separate electorate in Minto-Marley Reforms 1909 by British and in Lucknow Pact 1916 by Congress were the steps towards democracy. After 1947, following steps have been taken to make Pakistan a true democratic country:
1. Jinnah always stressed on making Pakistan a true democratic country. He once said, "There are no people in the world who are more democratic even in their religion than the Muslims".
2. The Objectives Resolution was passed on 12 March 1949 which proclaimed that the future constitution of Pakistan would be modeled on the ideology and democratic faith of Islam.
3. After inception, Pakistan joined democratic USA group instead of communist USSR. It was also a step towards democracy in Pakistan.
4. In Constitutions of 1956, 1962, and 1973, it was declared that Pakistan will be an Islamic republic with the adoption of parliamentary democratic system of government.
5. PML (N) and PPP signed Charter of Democracy to place a check on martial law.
6. All Parties Conference (APC) and All Parties Alliances (APA) also contribute to promotion of democracy.
7. Fulfillment of Five-Year Term by PPP-Led government also led to promotion of democracy.
8. Passing of 18th amendment for removing the power of the President of Pakistan to dissolve the Parliament unilaterally is also a step for democracy in Pakistan.
9. Independent Judiciary is established for ensuring rule of law.
10. Independent NAB is established for ensuring accountability and transparency.
11. Independent ECP is established for conducting free and fair elections.
12. Independent Media ensures education and awareness among people.
13. Positive role of Army regarding non-interference in political matters is also a good sign for the promotion of democracy.
14. Up to date lists of voters and verification of votes by NADRA is also a good sign for the promotion of democracy.
15. Healthy opposition by PTI ensures a check on the performance of government which leads to promotion of democracy and will contribute to fairness of elections.
1. The areas Pakistan inherited at inception (Punjab, KPK, Sindh, Balochistan, Bengal, and FATA) were either under tribal controls or were grounds for recruitment of military and civil bureaucracy. In either case, political development in these areas was difficult.
2. Pakistan inherited feudalism at inception has also been a hurdle in the way of democracy in Pakistan. Feudalists were against the status-quo. Although Ayub Khan and ZA Bhutto tried to implement land reforms, yet nothing concrete could be achieved.
3. At inception, Political parties had to depend on civil bureaucracy for administration of the country and on military bureaucracy for combating Indian aggression. This made political parties dependent on civil and military bureaucracy which has been a hurdle in the way of democracy in Pakistan.
4. Constitutional crisis has also be or been a hurdle in the way of democracy in Pakistan. For example, constitution of 1956 was abrogated in 1958, constitution of 1962 in 1969, and constitution of 1973 in 1977.
5. Lack of committed, visionary, and true democratic leadership has also been a hurdle in the way of democracy in Pakistan.
6. Too much centralized (over-developed) state structure is also a hurdle in the way of democracy in Pakistan.
7. Clash, tussle and lack of coordination between the institutions (executive, judiciary and parliament ) is also a hurdle in the way of democracy in Pakistan.
8. Illiteracy (lack of education and awareness) and poverty (being unable to realize the value of vote) has also been a hurdle in the way of democracy in Pakistan.
9. Lack of accountability and transparency led to corruption and election rigging and has been a hurdle in the way of democracy is Pakistan.
10. Non-democratic political parties have also been a hurdle in the way of democracy in Pakistan.
11. Personal and vested interests of the politicians have also been a hurdle in the way of democracy in Pakistan.
12. Economic backwardness, political instability, social deterioration, and martial laws have also been a hurdle in the way of democracy in Pakistan.
1. Steps should be taken to get rid of feudalism as soon as possible.
2. Civil and military bureaucracy should work within their boundaries and should not cross their limits.
3. Constitutional should be made strong by following it in true spirit.
4. Pakistan needs a committed, visionary, and true democratic leadership.
5. Too much centralization is troublesome. Policy of decentralization should be followed by conducting local bodies elections.
6. Coordination between the institutions (executive, judiciary and parliament) should be encouraged.
7. Effective steps should be taken to get rid of literacy and poverty.
8. Accountability and transparency should be ensured to get rid of corruption and election rigging.
9. Political parties should conduct intra-party elections to become democratic.
10. Effective steps should be taken to overcome the problems of economic backwardness, political instability, social deterioration, and martial laws.
Although various steps have been taken to make Pakistan a true democratic country, yet democracy did not flourish in Pakistan due to various reasons. Still, there is a need to take and implement appropriate decisions to make Pakistan a true democratic state. It is only through true democracy that we can achieve the objective of prosperous, strong and developed Pakistan.
