Causes Of Failure Of Democracy In Pakistan
From the beginning, the Pakistan has been in the quest for a constant democratic system. The method of its democratization has been slow and passive. It shows high susceptibility towards non democratic interference. Besides, it has neglected the rights of non civilian forces. Consequently, Pakistan has continuously given out to assure what a democracy promises. Such pathetic scenario has various reasons behind it at three levels: State, government, and society. Thus, this article investigates the causes behind the fragile and weak nature of democracy in Pakistan. It also provides recommendations for identifying the diverse means, particularly the youth for strengthening the democratic procedure in Pakistan to make it bright and promising.
Historically, it is observed that democracy in Pakistan has not set out its base deep enough to prepare the country “a strong democratic nation.’’ Pakistan was established on the foundation of Islam, which is democratic both in practice and spirit. But unfortunately, it is sad testimony that the plant planted by our beloved Quaid-e-Azam and watered by the blood of millions of Muslims has not flourished in the country. In this universe, nothing happens without a reason. Granting to the rule of “Cause and Effect’’ the problems are not solved on the sustainable basis. Therefore, let’s talk about the causes of such weak, vulnerable status of democracy in Pakistan and try to reach effective solutions.
Firstly, Feudalism in Pakistan is the major source of failed democracy. Almost 70 percent people leading lives under a feudal system in our state and generally politicians belong to feudal families. How can slaves and deprived communities fight with their owners? Hence, they are bound to provide their opinion and lament is that oppressed people are kept illiterate deliberately by landlords.
Secondly, Failure of the bureaucratic government created space for an army which was more organized than national bureaucracies to mediate into the political field of the state. The official participation of an army in civilian affairs begun from the marsh law in Lahore in 1953 to control the disturbance between Ahmedis and Sunnies. Hence, they shattered political associations and frustrated the military via media, political parties that maintain and channelize consolidation of democracy. Last but not least, Pakistan has been lacking strong and proficient political parties which are the indispensable component of Democracy. Democracy cannot survive without strong, vivacious, attentive and competent political parties.
Shortly, I concluded my article, as Pakistan has gone through an awful history of democracy. Pathetic political institutions, common martial involvements, frequent dissolution of civilian governments, imperfect election procedure, weak party system and lack of constitutionalism. These are some causes of failure of democracy in Pakistan. Thus, these problems of democracy are solvable with independent parliament, fair and regular elections, the transcendence of the constitution, sovereign Judiciary, civilian power over the military, a political life free from armed intervention, the safety of minority rights, fulfillment of basic human needs and assurance of liberty of expression and alliance. In this milieu, the responsibility lies on State organizations, political parties, social organizations and youth to play a part of their role in suggestions given above to create space for democracy to establish itself resolutely in Pakistan.
