Naseebullah Khan
Democracy is undoubtedly the best form of system particularly in a heterogeneous society like Pakistan. Regrettably its implications in true spirit have failed in Pakistan owing to four major causes vis a vis military intervention, Pseudo politicians, the doctrine of necessity, and lapdog rule of media
Military has direct and indirect political rule in the country. In total lifespan of the state which is 75 years, military ruled directly the country for almost 32 years while in the remaining years its has been involved indirectly by establishing king parties overnight and having strong hold on parliament. Many politicians exemplify gate number 4 of the GHQ as the nursery of politicians. Before his retirement former chief of Pakistan Army General Qamar Javed Bajwa asserted that his institution has been involved in politics but now, since February 2022 the institution has been apolitical. At the same time, many observer opine that military had been interfering owing to incompetence of politicians and non_ delivery of services. What come the reasosn may be, the reality is that democracy in the country has suffered because of the intervention of establishment which is realistically against the democratic norms and values.
Tug of war, power struggle, and lingering to government at any cost for which if politicians have to sacrifice moral and democratic values have penetrated political parties in Pakistan. Lust of power have compelled them to take behind the scence help from militarily which has become a black sting on the faces of these psedo democrats. Sensitive and fake narratives have further put question marks on the credibility of politicians. For instance, when Imran Khan was ousted through a vote of no confidence he blamed America for it. While, after a couple of months he acknowledged that the US was not against his ouster.
In addition, the PTI members of parliament have resigned from national assembly meanwhile they have been taking salaries and incentives from the exchhequr despite their resignation. At the same time, on one end, the PTI members are resigning from national and provincial assemblies while, on the other side they are contesting the elections from the same constituencies which they have resigned. Its leader Imran Khan was candidate for 7 constituencies whilst he is planning to contests from 35 seats which the PTI members have resigned. On one end, the PTI is not returning to parliament while at the same time its members are contesting elections. No sanity prevails here. No morality exists here.
It was the same political parties who attacked supreme court and parliament. In 1997 Pakistan Muslims League workers attacked Supreme court while in 2014 sit in, the PTI workers attacked national assembly and hanged their clothes on the walls of parliament and supreme court. Shamlessness was at peak. Apart from this, all political parties always welcome electables who are famous for changing their notorious affiliations. These turncoats are black stings on the face of political parties.
Political parties lack democracy within. There is almost no party in the country where there exists true democratic spirit and values. Party heads have become kings. For instance, the PML is being led by Nawaz Sharif for almost more than 4 decades. Imran Khan is leading the PTI since 1994. Mehmood Khan Achakzai is the chairman of Pashtun nationalist party the PKMAP for 5 decades. Bacha Khan,s family is stucked with the presisdenship of the party since the formulation of party, while, the JUI F is led by Molana Fazal Rehman for decades after the demise of his father. The same situation is with the PPP and Baloch nationalists. At the same time, all political leaders have prepared and inducted their children in parties to lead in the future. It is the worst kind of hierarchy. The German socialogist Robert Michels calls such lust for power as the Iron law of Oligrachy.
Though, the dwendling of democracy in Pakistan is old but for the current weakness of democracy, Media is equally responsible. Since 2000, hundreds of TV channels have been working in which many TV channels had been siding with military intervention, with undemocratic values, and have become a part of political parties. For instance, two big media organizations such as Geo and Jung is supporting PMLN while the ARY has become right wing of the PTI. They have been supporting their respective parties,s in their every action even if it is against democracy. For instance, in 2014, the ARY alongside many other channels were fully supporting the PTI sit on and their attack on Prime Minister house and parliament. During this competition, the concept of supporting true democratic spirit and norms is no where. The traditional role of media from watchdog has vanished into lapdog.
The doctrine of necessity by the judiciary is another impediment that has stopped the growth of democracy in the country. It was started soon after the inception of the country when in Molvi Tameez_ u_ din case Justice Munir had authorised the derailing of parliamentary powers. In 1979, a Prime minister was hanged. With the passage of time in the era 2000s. While, many have been de seated in one or another case. Resultantly, democracy fragiled.
Pakistan is in the grip of ecnomic meltdown, internal instability, population bomb, extremism, brain drain, pathetic healthcare system, educational woes, worsening social indicators, bad governance, provincialism, external challanges, and many more. While, the status quo is busy in burning own house for self interests. At the same time, the country is at stake where bankruptcy is in a breakneck speed where the country is heading towards a failed state. On the flip side, democracy which is the only viable panacea for almost all misiries of the country is in disarray. Democracy go to hell. Self_interests supersede you.
