DEMOCRACY
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OUTLINES:
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- Introduction
- Importance of
democracy
- Historical
Overview
- Why democracy
is flop in Pakistan
- Remedial
measures
-Conclusion
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INTRODUCTION:
Democracy
is the most essential and fundamental element for managing the affairs of
society systematically. Democracy and participatory governance are popular
political patterns in the modern world. In a broader sense democracy
encompasses the leading features; fair and free election process, supremacy
of the constitution, the rule of law, and freedom for the people. In other
words democratic state must practice the principles of equal citizenship
irrespective of religion, caste, ethnicity and regional background. It must
also ensure equality of opportunity to all for advancement in social,
political and economic domains and guarantee security of life and property to
its citizens.
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IMPORTANCE OF
DEMOCRACY:
It is
fact that democracy is the major constituent for social, political and
economic development. It is considered as the backbone of the system, without
which an effective running of system is impossible. The crucial importance of
democracy can be observed by the experience of East Asian countries. Between
1965 and 1990, several countries of this region registered the highest growth
rate and proved it with high living standards. The most important factors
behind this economic miracle are good governance. It is not that Swiss and
Swedes are inherently blessed with greater honesty and integrity than
Pakistanis. But actually difference lies in the institutions, laws and work
procedures.
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HISTORICAL
OVERVIEW
Pakistan, like India, adopted the Government of India Act, 1935 as the
Interim Constitution, 1947 to meet the immediate requirements of an
independent state. It provided parliamentary form of government, although the
Governor General enjoyed special powers and the federal government exercised
some overriding powers over provinces. Pakistan's early rulers did not pay
especial attention to democratization otthe political system because their major concern was how to ensure the
survival of the state in view of internal and external challenges. The fear
of the collapse of the state encouraged authoritarian style of governance.
Pakistan had faced serious administrative and management problems during
the partition process. These problems were the division of civil and
.military assets of the British government between India and Pakistan,
communal riots, the migration of people to and from Pakistan, and the
troubled relations with India, including the first war on Kashmir, 1947-48.
In this critical situation when Pakistan was facing initial administrative
and humanitarian difficulties, Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the father of the nation,
died on September 11, 1948, thirteen months
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after the
establishment of Pakistan. The separation of Quaid within a short span of
time undermined the already weak political institutions and fragmented the
political setup. Most of the post-Jinnah political leaders had no nationwide
fame and appeal to reorganize the massive crowd again as a result regional
politics within the state flourished. This critical situation, made it
difficult for the political parties and leaders to pursue a coherent approach
and gather under one leadership. They were unable to develop consensus on
single point, meanwhile the assassination of Liaqat Ali khan shocked the
entire democratic system. Though Liaqat Ali Khan laid the foundation of the
constitution by introducing objective resolution but several years later
constitution of Pakistan was introduced (March 23, 1956) which even could not
get popular support of all major parties, leaders and regions. By the time
the constitution was introduced a strong tradition of violation started, the
political parties were divided and the assembly was unable to assert its
primacy. In this situation power was shifted to the Governor
General/President Iskander Mirza, who had military background. Iskander Mirza
took support of top bureaucracy and the military. This contributed to the
rise of the bureaucratic-military elites in Pakistani politics which further
suppressed future of democracy.
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WHY DEMOCRACY
IS FLOP IN PAKISTAN:
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Army Interference: Since the establishment of Pakistan
Army has always had a strong desire to have a permanent place in the
political setup of country. The four military regimes are the proof of this.
The first Martial Law was imposed by Ayub Khan in 1958 and lasted till 1969. He abrogated the constitution of
1956. He also introduced presidential system with indirect elections. In
April 1969, General Yahya imposed second Martial Law and lasted till 1971. He
had abrogated the constitution of 1962, banned all political activities and
dissolved National and Provincial assemblies. Again Martial Law intervened in
1977 and the popular leader elected by the common people through dubious
elections was hanged. Zia's Martial regime was supposed to be the shortest
one but it turned out to be the longest in the history of Pakistan. Zia did
not abrogate the constitution of 1973 but suspended. He also passed his
famous 8th amendment to restrict the power of head of government
through article 58 2(b) and provided significant powers to the president who
could dissolve National Assembly whenever he think that need has arisen. In
1999, again military intervened in political setup led by General Musharraf.
The Army was yet again in power promising of smooth transfer of power to
grass root level within three years.
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Corruption and nepotism: It is fact that democratic
governments in Pakistan have been witnessed of corruption,
mal-administration, and
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nepotism. The people reluctantly visit public institutions because they
know that without any favor or bribe it is very difficult to get any work
done from the public officers. Moreover, due to malpractices of the public
official and misappropriation of public fund the infrastructure of public
institutions has been cracked and a situation like chaos is prevailing all
over the country.
In 1990 the government of PPP was dissolved due to
corruption charges set against Benazir Bhutto by the President of that time.
The next government of Nawaz sharif was also dismissed in 1993 by Ghulam
Ishaq khan on plea of corruption and nepotism. Again elections were held in
1993 and Benazir became PM but this government was also dissolved on
corruption charges in 1996.
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Royal style of politics: All the governments after Junejo
were characterized by the royal style of the Prime Minister that was true in
case of Benazir and Nawaz Sharif because of their extravagant style of living
i.e. Raiwind palaces and Surrey palace respectively.
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Authoritarian style of politicians: All the
previous heads of governments both civilian and military and also the
politicians exercised absolutism in style and mentality. They did not realize
their foremost duty was to serve the people not just to misrule them.
Politicians during the last 50 years have not shown responsible attitude.
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Abuse of
powers: People elect the PM, his cabinet
and the members of assemblies through ballot. But it has often happened that
an indirectly elected president comes and dismisses the government. This is
highly undemocratic, unconstitutional" and it has been happening in our
political history due to the 8th amendment passed by the Zia
regime. Zia dismissed Junejo government and Ghulam Ishaq dissolved Benazir
and Nawaz Shari governments respectively. This is the main reason that has
wrecked the entire setup of politics.
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Lack of accountability: Our constitution does not provide
an effective system of check and balance. That is why every elected civilian
government becomes omnipotent and powerful which give rise to corruption and
mal-administration. There is no effective system of governance which can keep
proper check on the decisions and the steps taken by PM and his cabinet.
Judiciary must be made strong enough to keep a strong check over these
important matters.
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Lack of continuity: In Pakistan except Bhutto's
government, no government has completed its expected life span. After Junejo,
many governments were disbanded in the period of nine years. This game of
power musical chair has seriously affected the economic and social progress of
our country.
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REMEDIAL MEASURES:
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-The honest and competent people
should be elected form the grass root to the highest level through fair and
transparent democratic process.
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-Direct
system of election must be introduced and governments must be allowed to
complete their tenure.
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-In order to attain the quality of good governance, senior high
officials, think tanks and previous failed rulers must ask for participation
in decision making and execution of policies through a democratic
consultative process.
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-For good governance the role of army in the political setup of the
country must be discouraged and constitution must clearly define the areas of
operation of all institutions of the state like army, bureaucracy and the
government.
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-Independence of judiciary must be maintained which can exercise an
effective system of check and balance on each and every institution and
prevent politicians from abuse of power.
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-People must be educated without which they can not protect their rights.
Education creates confidence which empower people to defend their social,
political and economic rights.
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-Media should also playa positive role in creating awareness among people
regarding their problems and their solutions. In this way people will be able
to demand their rights and will perform their duties and responsibilities in
a more organized way.
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-In order to develop an effective system of governance participation of
women should be encouraged as according to latest count, women ratio
is .48:52 respectively.
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Conclusion: This is the high time that
consensus must be developed among the people of Pakistan that what system of
government can suit them better. Keeping in view the pluralistic society of
Pakistan, federal government can serve people in a better way through giving
sufficient powers to the provinces in order t 0 tackle problems of ordinary citizen effectively.
Direct system of election must be introduced and governments must be allowed
to complete their tenure.
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