Pakistan, since its day of
inception, has faced several challenges to establish a true democratic system,
which could guarantee its survival, stability and development. Every democratic
period has been followed by the military rule. Unfortunately, the plant of
democracy has not taken its roots deep enough to make the country, “a durable
democratic state.” This is the reason that until now democracy in Pakistan is
prone to many threats. These threats emanate from internal as well as external
factors. Internal threats include political, social, economic, as well as
religious which have resulted in the weakening of democracy in Pakistan. Lack of
mature leadership, confrontation between the main organs of the state, poor
relations between the centre and the provinces, rampant corruption, distrust
among the politicians, strong bureaucracy and crisis of governance are the
immediate threats to democracy in Pakistan. Furthermore, meddling with the
constitution has also dealt a severe blow to democracy in Pakistan. In addition
to this, terrorism, energy crisis, ethnicity and sectarianism, domestic
violence, religious intolerance, economic instability, unemployment, and recent
natural calamity is posing a great threat to democratic government in Pakistan.
Not only this, but recurring foreign interventions in our national affairs, our
country’s tarnished image across the world, and weak diplomacy is also
contributing in destabilizing democratic setup. Fuelling to the fire,
Government’s indifference towards people and its inability to resolve these
problems is mounting frustration among the masses. This frustration is proving
venomous and it could derail the process of democracy in Pakistan.
Lack of leadership is one of the greatest threats to democracy in Pakistan.
Since the tragic demise of the great Quaid we have been devoid of mature and
competent leadership. Absence of visionary leadership has been the biggest
dilemma for the country. Our leaders have always served their own vested
interests and have divested the nation of the basic amenities of life. In such
conditions, democracy has suffered a lot and is still suffering.
For a sturdy political environment, the conformity between all the institutions
of the government is pivotal.
Poor relations between centre and the four provinces of the country are also a
threat to democracy. Coordination between them is essential to run the machinery
of the state smoothly. On the contrary, the centre and provinces have always
been at loggerhead with each other. Disharmony over natural resources and other
issues have kept democracy under strain. The tragic fall of Dhaka was the result
of such contentious relations. That’s why; Pakistan has always been experiencing
political instability. These conditions have again and again provided army a
rationale to topple the civilian government.
Strong bureaucracy and feudal system are another threat to democracy. Their
secret coalition is hindering the growth of democracy in a smooth way. Their
compromise with each other has resulted in the accumulation of power in fewer
hands. Even the universal suffrage could have not been effective. Thus, the
circulation is power in a handful families is making the structure hollow. Today
we will hardly see people from middle class and lower class in politics, because
of sheer force and influence of these politicians.
The spectre of corruption is growing stronger in absence of true accountability.
Accountability which aims at strengthening the roots of democracy is lacking in
our country. It is a sort of deluge which is weakening the democracy to its
roots and posing a great threat.
Lack of accountability coupled with crisis of governance is posing a challenge
to the smooth running of the system. Pakistan is facing a constant dilemma of
poor governance. It has generated mistrust and has undermined the proficient and
transparent delivery of public services and the implementation of programs in an
efficient manner.
Owing to poor governance, the government is losing control over law and order
situation. When individuals put themselves ahead of institutions, they set a bad
example. Suicide attacks, target killing, robbery and other crimes have become
norm of the day. Innocent people have been killed on ethnic basis and government
seems helpless in this regard which is also a dangerous sign for democratic
rule.
The current pathetic situation of conflicts and distrust are solely the outcomes
of a weak democratic setup. Media plays a pivotal role in moulding and reshaping
the beliefs of a lay man. Unfortunately, the recent media hype in relation to
the political activities has been aggravated the situation. Media’s biasness has
ignited a flame of political imbalance and disharmony which in turn, has been
weakening the roots of democratic culture in Pakistan.
Another matter remains to be one of the major threats to democracy is the weak
judicial system of Pakistan. Every now and again when the democratic rule was
deposed by the military ruler the weak judiciary played a crucial rule in
strengthening the hands of military. The weak judiciary has provided every
military a legal cover under the pretext of expediency. In current scenario,
there is again a threat that history could repeat itself if the guardians of
democracy continued to disrespect the norms of democracy and judiciary.
Furthermore, illiterate masses, have also contributed in deteriorating the
political system of the country. A nation with such a low literacy rate can only
breed a frail political and democratic culture. An educated person is aware of
his rights and can fight for the principles, and resultantly, his voice cannot
remain unheard. Contrary to this philosophy, an ignorant society weakens the
democratic values.
In context to Pakistan social injustice is a prevalent feature. Citizens of
Pakistan are unaware of social justice concept and its effects on society.
Pakistan’s civil and military rulers and elite class have been plundering this
country since independence.
Our economy which, has already been suffering heavily at the hands of terrorism,
is hit hard by recent turmoil in Karachi and floods in 2010 and 2011.
Agricultural sector is witnessing a worst scenario ever. Instead of showing
upward turn GDP is constantly going down. All these factors are leading Pakistan
to the brink of political instability.
Incessant inflation coupled with food crisis is also a dangerous sign for
democracy. Food commodities are getting beyond common man’s reach. The world’s
financial experts have placed Pakistan on a list of 36 countries that face a
serious food crisis, warning that if the situation worsen people may raid
storage facilities for food. Causes of food insecurity are as various as its
consequences but government’s frail management has made this issue complex and
not only threatening the lives of more than 83 million Pakistanis.
The recent natural calamity, in the shape of floods, which has paralysed our
economy, is real test for the government. All the sectors of the economy,
especially agriculture and industry, have been severely hampered by tis
devastation. Under the above said pitiful conditions, the failure of the
government to tackle this challenge would be a failure of democracy itself.
The current stream of extremism and terrorism has brought forth a new ideology.
This new ideological approach is also the most immediate threat to democracy in
Pakistan today. These extremist elements equally manipulate the government and
the common people. Their own version of Islam has become a means of playing with
the sentiments of the already deprived masses. Hence, the bearers of this new
ideology of governance consider democracy non Islamic and thus completely
useless for an Islamic state. The prevailing conditions of the country and the
demand for implementation of sharia (their own version), is a testimony to this
ideological belief. For these elements, the concept of democracy is western thus
against Islam.
Religious intolerance and Sectarianism are further inflicting a heavy damage to
democracy in Pakistan. The seed of religious intolerance, that took its roots in
1979 after the Islamic Revolution in Iran, has now grown into a strong tree.
Every successive government has failed to provide security to minorities. Recent
incidents of blatant killings of the people of Shia community have further
exposed the government’s failure in protecting the minorities. In a report
regarding religious freedom released by Washington Pakistan was cited among 10
countries, “failing to sufficiently protect religious rights”. The report
includes a long list of case studies of violence and discrimination against
Ahmedis, Christians, Sikhs, Hindus and other Muslim sects.
Recurring foreign intervention into our national and domestic issues is also
proving hazardous for democracy to sustain. A country, with sturdy democratic
norms, does not allow any foreign power to intervene into its matter of domestic
and national interest. Countries, especially America, are more interested in
framing Pakistan’s policies than that of its own. Our national integrity is at
stake due to our political disharmony and democratic redundancy. US have always
exerted its influence on every government, whether it’s a democratic or
military, to serve its covert interests. Its staunch support to every military
ruler has caused an ineffaceable damage to democracy and has never given a fair
chance to elected democratic government to survive.
Finally, Pakistan’s tarnished image across the world as a true democratic polity
is not less than a threat in itself. Above all the military and quasi-military
rule strangled the democratic rule in the country. World Bank and other
financial institutions have persistently laid sanctions upon the Pakistan. These
financial penalties and restrains upon trade is the outcome of weedy democratic
in the past and frequent military coups.
The government should furnish a worthy foreign policy and shall clearly define
its level of interaction and cooperation with the world. If we have to survive
as a nation, we all should make collective efforts to nurture the feeble plant
of democracy into a fruit and shelter giving plant.