The Future of Democracy in Pakistan
By Nasim Hassan
Delaware, US
Pakistan is in the eye of media storm these days. There is not a single day when the news in the USA does not include Pakistan in one way or another. Sometimes it is about the rise of fundamentalism, at other it is about election or the civil society demonstrating against dictatorship.
Let us look at the basic facts of geography that Pakistan cannot change. The country is surrounded by two rising Asian powers of China and India on the North East and South. In the North and West we have two neighbors that aspire to bring religion into mainstream politics. Here I am talking about Iran and Afghanistan. Majority of people in Iran and Afghanistan are serious about establishment of a society based on their interpretation of Islamic Sharia
Pakistan is diverse in its ethnic population with Punjab constituting a dominant group. This ethnic diversity includes 56% Punjabi, 12 % Mohajirs, 14 % Pashtuns, 7% Baluch and 12 % Sindhi people. In addition to ethnic diversity, Pakistan also has various religious groups. People believe in their own schools of religious interpretations. However, this ethnic or religious diversity is not so rigid. Almost all people can communicate in Urdu language and common people are tolerant. The people at the top are highly educated and they do not go by any ethnic or religious differences. For these people the first and perhaps the last criteria for association, friendship and relations is wealth. The educated middle class is significant and generally sticks to its clan, tribe or linguistic group. The poor people by local standards live in small villages all across Pakistan. This class, though quite large, is still controlled by feudal lords and religious leaders.
Based on above facts the Western style democracy or religion-based theocracy is simply not viable. For the foreseeable future, the political leadership can only come from the affluent class who own either land or industrial enterprises. The emergence of middle class political leadership is still in the distant future. The reason being the lack of ideological political environments. Currently the politics is based on feudalism, ethnic affiliation or religious and tribal connections.
Let us examine the conditions that support the democratic process in a rational manner and see where Pakistan stands on various factors that support democracy.
Established Civil Institutions:
Pakistan does have institutions like Judiciary, Bureaucracy, Law Enforcement agencies, Planning Commission, Election Commission, Revenue Collection system and Educational institutions. Frankly none of them is very strong or honest. Corruption is rampant owing to various reasons of greed, nepotism and politics.
I have personally observed highly educated people preferring candidates from their own ethnic or religious backgrounds and discarding people who have education, merit and experience.
If at any time Pakistanis want real democracy then they will need to respect the law and make these institutions strong with effective checks and balances. All democratic countries make institutions strong and enduring. People come and go but institutions keep on functioning.
First institution that needs to be strengthened is Judiciary. However judiciary should not interfere in administration or parliamentary process. Independent judiciary does not mean to put politicians behind the bars on trumped up charges.
Gradually the judiciary in Pakistan has started to assert its rights and that is a good sign. Hopefully, we can look towards a future where judicial process will be free from any outside influences.
Defense from Outside Aggression
Regardless of the form of government the defense of the country is of vital importance. Weak countries cannot survive even in the 21st century. A weak country invites the powerful neighbors or outsiders to interfere and run the country any way they want. Such countries simply cannot survive.
So all provinces of Pakistan should stop thinking about independent Baluchistan, Sindhu Desh or Pashtunistan. Any such breakup will invite outside interference and colonization will occur. Only a united country can become strong. The current situation in Africa and other Third World countries gives us good lessons.
Small countries can only survive in larger enclave like European Economic Community and NATO. Otherwise small countries can be quickly dismantled and reconfigured.
Pakistan has over the past sixty years spent large amounts on defense. Although I am not an expert on defense issues, I believe Pakistan has strong defense capabilities. So on this score Pakistan is well on the road towards democracy.
Freedom of News Media
Slowly but steadily Pakistan is moving towards a free and vibrant news media. I scan Pakistani newspapers, magazines and television. I find remarkable freedom of news media as compared to other Third World countries. Just look at the Middle East mass media and compare the news coverage and analysis.
This freedom provides a check on all government institutions. This has started to happen in the mass media. During the early period of Pakistan history, the actions of rich and powerful largely went without any media coverage. Even though rich and powerful still get away the press often catches up with them.
Recent incident like Mukhtar Mai of Meerwala village in Southern Punjab would have gone unnoticed without any news coverage. This time the news was picked up by the national media and flashed across the world.
Emergence of Civil Society
I find it very encouraging that the civil society has started to assert itself and play a role in human rights, helping battered women and reaching out in case of national emergency like the earthquake. These days through the Internet, the civil society reaches out to Pakistanis living overseas as well as other human rights activists. A large number of NGOs have started working in Pakistan. Some are home-grown while others are exclusively supported by external resources. There may be some truth in allegations that some NGOs are pushing the liberal Western agenda. For us this should not be a matter of concern. All Pakistanis are now linked with people everywhere. If any NGO is supported by foreign funds then this money is not coming from the taxes of local people. So long as an NGO is not involved in any criminal activities, it should be allowed to work within its area of specialization.
Rule of law
The first responsibility of any government is to provide security of life and property. No form of government can survive without security. This is linked to the strengthening of judiciary, police, national guards or rangers. First priority must be to maintain peace and prevent criminal elements from destroying public and private property.
In this area, Pakistan has a long way to go. The destruction of property in the aftermath of Ms. Benazir Bhutto’s assassination shows that criminals had no check at all on their activities. No democracy can survive without the rule of law.
Culture of Democracy
The culture of democracy depends upon tolerance and acceptance of alternative point of view. It also means respect for opposition. In democratic societies, politicians keep a level of civility in contesting the elections. They openly criticize the opposition parties with vengeance. However when the elections are over they accept defeat with grace and bow out.
In Third World countries, there is invariably the charge of election rigging. There must be a mutually agreed procedure to investigate the rigging. After the decision has been made by institutions like the Judiciary, election commission or the interim government the politicians must accept the results with grace.
Pakistan lacks in this area like other Third World countries. There have been recent events in Pakistan pointing out the lack of democratic culture. If the culture of democracy is not established by the politicians then political, ethnic, religious, linguistic divide will occur and result in anarchy.
Conclusion
Based on close observations of various elements of democratic process, I believe Pakistan is well on its way towards full-fledged democracy. During the initial period, the army or any nonpartisan institution may be required to facilitate, supervise and monitor free and impartial elections. Law and order must be maintained, otherwise law of jungle could easily prevail.
Pakistanis may disagree with the involvement of military in the democratic process in any shape and form. However, free for all events that have recently occurred in Sindh force me to think about this issue. The situation was brought under control by military intervention. Common people do not want any democracy or elections where their lives or property are insecure.
Watching the mass media openly writing and discussing prevailing conditions gives me great hope for democracy. I am sure Pakistan will pass through this temporary phase and develop the structures to keep democracy on the tracks. Gradually, as institutions get strengthened the army will have no choice except to go back and let the process continue and gain momentum. Comments welcome at nhassa@yahoo.com
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