Journey to Democracy Delayed

Mohammad Ajeeb

The current political crisis does not augur well for Pakistan’s return to democracy soon.

The acts of violence and arson on 9th May 2023 accentuated my belief on the continued fragility and vulnerability of democracy in Pakistan. The alleged deliberate and targeted attacks on individuals and the army posts have taken the country a step further from achieving any semblances of democracy, making the political situation in the country more unpredictable.

Whatever was left of democracy has been dealt a severe blow. I often ponder on the vexed question of the compatibility of Western democracy with the political temperament of Pakistan and get disappointed and disillusioned for not receiving a meaningful answer. It is a country where political leaders and the establishment are always at loggerheads, neither regarded being infallible.

Hence, these two important organs of the government, most of the time, remain at odds with each other. Their devious and covert actions being a major reason for mutual distrust and dubiety of their defined constitutional roles. This has been the salient feature of Pakistani politics for a very long time which has drastically undermined and hindered the path to democracy.

It is an indisputable fact that democracy does not only mean holding of free and fair elections

It is an indisputable fact that democracy does not only mean holding of free and fair elections. But, more importantly, it is also about the acceptance of the results and the ambit of the Parliament for promulgating legislation and policy for the improvement of the country’s economy, prosperity and the well-being of people in a protective environment of mutual respect and tolerance.

In all the policy and decision-making processes the paramount consideration should be to serve the country and its people to the best of their ability. Unfortunately, such an ideal of governance with built-in democratic values is a dream that remains unrealised in Pakistan.

Political parties of all colours and shades have been at loggerhead in a war of attrition against each other more like staunch enemies rather than political opponents. When in power, more of their time is spent on implicating opponents in manifold false, unsubstantiated and frivolous cases often under pressure from the military establishment.

Their concern for protecting, enhancing and defending democracy is of secondary consideration to the clinging of nominal power. Their failure to bring and practice democracy within their parties is clear demonstration of their undemocratic mindset, always willing to pay homage to the establishment with servility.

The selfish and divisive acts of political parties have caused more serious harm to the flourishing of democracy in the country than perhaps the military dictatorship

Hence, the selfish and divisive acts of political parties have caused more serious harm to the flourishing of democracy in the country than perhaps the military dictatorship. Of course, the establishment from the very early formative days of the newborn country played a decisively dominant but illegitimate role in the politics of the country.

However, the presence of political parties with no clear commitment to democratic norms and principles, devoid of any clear ideology, the intoxication of absolute power and the absence of a significant challenge to the establishment, has prevented and hindered the concept and process of democracy from establishing its roots. The result is that the country is in shambles and its existential is at stake.

In the formative years of PTI, the disappointed and disillusioned people of Pakistan welcomed the advent of a new political party and gradually embraced it for bringing much-needed and awaited change in the country. But its rule of nearly four years failed to fulfil the unfortunate masses’ highly raised expectations and aspirations.

PTI with its abrogation of initial promises, inexperience, false promises and U-turns could not maintain its original agenda on track. With a very authoritarian style of government with the patronage of the establishment, its leadership became complacent and thus less effective. Not to learn from the lessons of history was a gross misjudgement on the part of PTI leadership: They should have realised that those who provide the crutches to walk by, can also so easily take these away leaving one unsupported and helpless.

PTI with its abrogation of initial promises, inexperience, false promises and U-turns could not maintain its original agenda on track

It is not easy to bite the hand which feeds you. It was imprudent on IK’s part to openly vilify the establishment which proved the last straw that broke the camel’s back. The attacks on the vital installations on the 9^th May upheaval by the PTI supporters was importuned and misguided.

The establishment is determined to punish the culprits of violence without leniency by being able to unite and close ranks. The incumbent government has seen this opportunity to undertake mass arrests of its opponents with the consent and approval of the establishment.

The political atmosphere in the country is bound to deteriorate. The abuse of human rights and restrictions on individual freedoms will continue to go unchecked.  Currently, the country is under undeclared martial law. The press and media are under severe censorship. The establishment which was under pressure faced with internal raptures has restored its discipline and unity very quickly. Hence, the current political scenario is indicative of a delay in elections of an indefinite period which will mean the delayed return of democracy to Pakistan.

The current political scenario is indicative of delay in elections of an indefinite period which will mean delayed return of democracy to Pakistan

Democracy in Pakistan has perpetually been the target and victim of both the political parties and the interventions by the establishment and will continue to suffer in this unfortunate country unless and until the most powerful establishment is persuaded or compelled to come to terms with the wishes of the people and the politicians are prepared to learn the lesson from history by conceding to the true concept,  interpretation and meaning of democracy centred around transparency, honesty, commitment, freedoms and accountability, accompanied by mutual respect, tolerance and love for the country and the greatest of all asset that is its people. Sadly, the current situation does not augur well for the near future.

The practitioners of the politics of heritage, who have been partners in crimes for bringing the country to the present precarious stage of uncertainty, have seriously lost their credibility and confidence of people to govern, possibly with a majority in the future.

The author is former Lord Mayor of Bradford UK.

The article is the writer’s opinion, it may or may not adhere to the organization’s editorial policy.