Nasrullah Khadim
It has been 75 years since Pakistan emerged on the map of the world. The country has been under protracted social, political, religious and economic turmoil. After the death of Quaid Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Pakistan lacked stability in its four orders. The country fall under political, economic, social and religious upheavals. The fledgling democracy of the country was challenged by dictatorship after a couple of years of its independence. Due to perpetual political skirmishes, it was extremely hard for a nascent country to cope up these challenges. Political parties were at constant rift leaving no stone unturned to lambaste, humiliate and destabilize each other. Bearing in mind such a state of affairs, then president of Pakistan, Iskander Mirza decided to allot some of his political powers to General Ayub khan to control the brewing conditions of the state. In result, after relishing the test of political power, Ayub Khan abrogated the first constitution of Pakistan in 1958 and imposed the first Martial law in the country. The 1958 Pakistani coup d’état began on October 7, when the first President of Pakistan Iskander Mirza abrogated the Constitution of Pakistan and declared martial law, and lasted until October 27, when Mirza himself was deposed by Gen. Ayun Khan, the Commander-in-Chief of the Pakistan Army.It is rightly cited that power is intoxication. It changes mind of every person. The similar thing happened when General Ayub Khan took over the country. He made a mind that political feuds are breeding many more menaces in the country– portraying negative image of the state. After the first take over, things were ratified and ameliorated in 1962 when second constitution of the country was brought into the paper. But due to dictatorial mentality of generals, country couldn’t retain second constitution for long periods of time. These roller-coaster events between constitutional set-up and dictatorial mindset continued to bother the fledgling democracy of Pakistan till 1973. After nearly 3 decades of independence, Pakistan got its ossified constitution under the leadership of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto. Third constitution made Pakistan parliamentary State where all political powers were bestowed upon the prime minister. Moreover, the Constitution defined the role of Islam; Pakistan was to be a Federation of Four Provinces and shall be known as the Islamic Republic of Pakistan; introduction of check and balances, separation of powers, and provided the federal system under which the government should govern. Nevertheless, the constitution of 1973 of Pakistan has always been challenged by direct or indirect military influence. Spate of amendments is introduced to revitalize the democracy. Technically there are 26 amendments, but 23 amendments were made in constitution and three were not passed by the parliament as the three amendments collapsed. It is fortune to see the constitution of 1973 of Pakistan on papers without being thoroughly obliterated. Nevertheless, it has witnessed nearly 23 amendments till now. Military take over of General Ziq ul Haq or General Musharaf had great impact on the promotion of the democratic culture. It would not be amiss to state here that Pakistan has never been able to ramp up and promote genuine democratic ambiance. Following these all military interferences in the political affairs, one can easily assume that prosperity of Pakistan thoroughly relies upon the functioning of true democracy and political stability. Since the inception of the country, Political parties never have shown any cordial approach towards each other. They gerrymander the state for their fishy motives which ultimately vanishes the prosperity and comity of the country. They see and glare each other with antagonized lenses and envious gaze and consider opponents as enemies. Such an unremitting hatred in the political arena would not bring any sort of prosperity. For the prosperity and development of the nation, political stability and maturity is prerequisite. The current situation of Pakistan is vivid in front of every politician who claims to be well-wisher of the country. Enormous number of ordeals and stumbling blocks are barricading the development of Pakistan:, inter alia:, include dwindling economy, foreign debt is ramping up rapidly day by day, currency is at its lowest, terrorism is spreading its wings in the tribal areas of the country, extreme poverty is devouring plethora of lives and the list goes on. These all menaces are precarious and detrimental for any nation in the world to accomplish well-being of its people. So there is need to build and develop mutual understanding and cooperation among political parties to think for the betterment and luminous future of Pakistan rather than pondering over their personal motives. Fact can’t be shunned that political stability is mandatory for nation’s prosperity.
