Future of Democracy in Pakistan

Future of democracy in Pakistan Outline 1)What is democracy 2) Democracy and Pakistan Present, byg wiz and Future 3) Importance of democracy 4)Threats to democracy 1. Weak policy-making institutions 2. Influence of Military 3. Economic difficulties 4. Social Norms 5. Illiteracy lack of semipolitical of aw atomic number 18ness 6. Unemployment and leanness 7. Image of political lead 8. Power politics 9. Foreign interference 10. Unbridled media 11. Feudalism and racism 12. Grievances of small provinces 13. Relation with India 14. Terrorism and extremism 5) Suggestions to meet the challenges 1. Strengthing of political parties and political culture . Sovereignty of parliament and other statuary 3. Independence of judiciary 4. Eradication of illiteracy 5. political awargonness 6. Democratic norms 7. Economic uplift 8. Emergence of new leadership 9. Participation of youth in political process 10. Mature and tolerant politics 11. Independence of media 12. Accountability 6)Our streng ths 1. Presence of pro-democracy leadership 2. Active Civil Society 3. Independent Media 4. Determined and dedicated nation 5. Pakistani Youth 7) Conclusion Essay For years now we exact been auditory sense the word democracy being used endlessly in our media, homes and offices.But do we really know what democracy is? What does it stand for? What argon its principles? And most importantly what is the berth of different state institutions and their respective jobs and duties as prescribed in the constitution. The word democracy is derived from two Greek row, Demos and Kratos meaning line up of the good deal. In simple words academics give care to define it as, Rule of the people by the people for the people. Democracy stands for peoples rights and representation. It is a very well balanced arrangement which has slowly evolved into the fair and reasonable system we all know.It favours a progressive federation. It encourages arts and science. All the technological, social and political progress that man has made was in a democratic society e-g Muslim Spain, British Empire, USA. Our country Pakistan was the result of a political and democratic struggle but democracy could not curl during 62 years of its existence. The founder of Pakistan was a great democratic statesman who envisioned a democratic and progressive Pakistan. Unfortunately his illness couldnt let him to contribute much for democracy. His death was a fine blow to the political stability of Pakistan.Liaquat Ali Khan, a devoted prime-minister elected from Eastern Pakistan was unacceptable to the ruling elite of West Pakistan and was subsequently eliminated from the political scene in 1951. These initial problems of Pakistan gave him little clock to focus his attention on democratic and constitutional development of freshly born state. His sudden death proved a serious blow to the nation. His successors dedicated their efforts to perpetuate their rule showing little concern to democratic de velopment. The ahead of time years were marked with conspiracies, unethical and monarchic tactics in power corridors of the country.This situation provided opportunity to military to intervene in politics and Ayub Khan obligate first Marshal Law in 1958. After this, army became a stakeholder in power game and ruled the country four times finished coups. The recent government has assumed power through an electoral process. It is for the first time in the history of Pakistan that a democratic government is going to love its duration. The current democracy is facing multifaceted challenges on economic, social, political and international fronts. This needs a sagacious approach to ensure continuance of democratic rule in Pakistan.Today the respect of a nation in the international community is directly linked to prevalence of democracy. Pakistan has to strengthen democracy in order to make believe a reputable place in the world and head towards the road of progress and prosperity. The clouds of uncertainty are hovering over the democratic set-up in Pakistan. The major menace is absence of sound political infrastructure. Frequent Military interventions prevented growth of political culture. Political parties could not be established on fresh and democratic lines. Political parities are nursuries of democracy.In Pakistan these parties are plagued with outside influence, short term goals, one man show and family politics. Political culture cannot flourish until political parties start functioning in democratic manner. FOR RULERS IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES LIKE PAKISTAN, DEMOCRACY IS A CHEWING GUM FOR THE PEOPLE, TO GO ON CHEWINGA SWEET YET worthless TASTE Economic difficulties are the barriers to Govt performance causing public discontent. Pakistan government is facing financial difficulties. Its economy is under developed characterized by huge take deficit, heavy debt burden and deteriorating currency.Government lacks the requisite economic resources for publ ic uplift. Consequently common men remain indifferent to national politics and democracy that induce undemocratic forces to intervene. The democratic system derives its strength from people. Whereas half of the Pakistani population is illiterate and stands unaware to democratic concepts, even the major chunk of educated people remains also indifferent to political developments in the country. This allures undemocratic forces to assume the power and to their pleasure they are accorded warm welcome by the nation when they assumed the charge.Political ignorantness amongst the masses poses serious threat to democracy. Democracy can flourish only if public at large get involved in the political process. The flesh of political leadership has been rotten over the time. Common men tend to dislike the political personalities. They are held responsible for all the afflictions Pakistan facing today. There are deficiencies in politicians, but these are projected to the public with exaggerati on of some facts along with certain myths. This mistrust of public prevents them to concern about the political process.Political unstableness along with economic difficulties pushed the country towards orthogonal dependence. Resultantly, the international powers, in pursuance of their own goals, care little to the democratic stability of the country. All the military rulers enjoyed foreign support. 75% of financial aid by USA was received during the military regime. Purportedly, these foreign players intrigue to destabilize the political set up, when their interest require doing so. Media license is vital to democratic stability but it must be subjected to some ethics, rules and regulations. Unfortunately, media scarcely follows he ethical and legal limits. Commercialism some time allures it to wage yellow journalism putting aside the national interest. In order to catch public opinion, media manipulate the facts and mis-represent it to the public where constructive criticism p lay a positive intent, undue castigation arouse public wrath for the sitting government. Consequently people start desiring change whether democratic or undemocratic. Feudalism is negation of equation and freedom. Democracy is not just happening of electoral exercise, it is set of principles based on the concept of freedom, liberty, equality and tolerance.Elections are just one of the manifestations of democracy. While feudal system does not hinder the electoral process, it put curbs on the peoples right of freedom. Masses are restrained to freely participate in the democratic process. Feudalism is still prevailing in Pakistan and people falling under its jurisdiction are treated like subjects. They can never become the progressive participants of political process. Small provinces have lost their confidence on federation. Military rulers suppressed their demands. They were denied the genuine legal and constitutional rights.Though the present democratic government seek apology fr om Balouchs, no substantial efforts has been evinced yet to redress their woes, their anti-centre feelings, if not addressed aptly would aggravate in the days ahead. Pakistan unfriendly relations with India overpower its national and international policies. Both the countries remained at logger heads since their inception. Pakistan, in order to counter the menace of Indian adventures, had to allocate major chunk of her resources for military development at the cost of negating other socio-economic sectors of the country.She has to maintain a large army in spite of having limited economic resources. Pakistan annually allocates 33% of her budget to defense on average. If relations with India are normalized, these resources may be better spent on public uplift, social welfare, education and health. If it happens it would bring prosperity that strengthens the democratic hind ends of the country. Terrorism is one of the biggest threats to survival of entire humanity. The entire world i s intimidated of this menace and making efforts to counter it.Its afflictions are pervasive and engulfing the peace and prosperity of the nation. The multiple challenges lingering on democracy thus requires a multipronged struggle to counter them. Political parties are the primary institutions of democracy in order to provide a solid foundation to edifice of democracy. Political parties have to re-organize and function on democratic lines. These have to establish their roots at gross root level and develop them like institutions open to public. Only political parties can ensure public participation in political process and inculcate the democratic values.A dedicated involvement of people at large would provide a solid base to democracy in Pakistan. Parliament is representative institution of public. Executives must be accountable forwards the parliament. If all decisions are made through the parliament, it would strengthen democracy. Judiciary is a foremost pillar of state. An inde pendent and efficient Judiciary ensure prevalence of social justice in the society. It provides a plat-form to aggrieved citizens to seek redressal of their griveneces. If people get legal way to their redressal, it reduces the likelihood of illegal adventures.So independence of judiciary is key to strong democracy. educational uplift of the society makes its members well conversant to the concepts of freedom, liberty and democracy. People learn the blessings of public rule. It enhances their commitment to democracy and they can stand against the efforts to derail the political process. Ironically, a considerable majority of educated people lack awareness to democracy. This issue must be addressed through transformation of syllabus on modern lines. Democracy, its need and its blessings must be incorporated as part of the syllabus at all levels of education.Besides this, government must join hands with media, civil society and other pressure groups to inculcate the values of freedom, liberty, human rights and democracy amongst the masses. Political players must set good norms to strengthen democracy. Power thrust, intolerance and corruption have plagued the politics of Pakistan. Time has come to stop the old practices and follow the democratic values prevailed in developed societies. Political parties need revision regarding their structure as they lack democracy. Economic growth brings prosperity in the life of common.A prosper society is more likely to adopt democracy and actively engage in political process. Leadership provides new direction to society and led them to the destination. Pakistan desperately needs trustworthy leadership that people follow dedicatedly. Our youth constitute 30% of the society they are representative of new generation. Their participation may ensure structural improvements in national paradigm. It has been witnessed that during Pakisan movement youth played vital role in opinion formation and mass awareness and so is the time now. There is a need to guide our youth to take the responsibility of our tomorrow. Its the high time when youth is active and willing to welcome the dawn of democracy and it should be utilized to its fullest. An impartial system of accountability enhances public trust on the political system. It provides enormous strength to democratic process. Moreover, it compels thousand who are charged with governance, to transparently discharge their official responsibilities. It ensures good governance and strengthens the political set up.Inspite of facing unconditioned challenges and showing unsatisfactory performance, Pakistanis has the capability to emerge as a democratic and progressive nation. Pakistan can road to democracy with dedication, determination, commitment, courage and patriotism of its political leaders. If they are aptly inculcated with the true spirit of democracy, they are potent enough to change the destiny. There is no second opinion that democracy is pre-requisite for Pakist an to earn a respectable place in the international community. Its track record uring 62 years of existence portrays a gloomy picture. The current challenges and threats further aggravate the scene. But this does no imply there is no room for improvement. A glance at the history reveals that difficulties always appear in the life of surviving nations. But these adversities are proved blessing in disguise when these are faced gallantly. This moment becomes starting point in their journey towards success. It has all the potential to overcome the cragged challenges the required is unity, faith, discipline and guidance.