DEMOCRACY IN PAKISTAN

OUTLINES
1. Introduction
2. What is democracy?
3. Nature of democracy.
4. Beginning of democracy
5. Democracy since creation
6. Causes of failure of democracy
7. Impacts of democracy
8. Measures for the survival of democracy
9. Conclusion
The essence of democracy is its assurance that people should so respect
himself and should be so respected in his own personality that he should
have opportunity equal to that of every other human being to show what he
was meant to become.
Ana Garlin Spencer
Democracy is the most powerful foam of government. It is also regarded as
the decisive foam of government. It requires active participation of people in
the decision making process. Without public collaboration, democracy cannot
flourish properly. It is the most favorable foam of government as well.
The great personality of entire subcontinent Quaid-a-Azam Muhammad Ali
Jinnah was the staunch supporter of public participation in formulating
government. He was the promoter of democracy in Pakistan.
According to Abraham Lincoln, Democracy is the foam of government for the
people, by the people, and through the people
Dr Hassan Askari rightly defines democracy in the precise and appropriate
manner. According to him, It is a process which people initiates by conscious
decision and sustain by subscribing to its principle by theory and practices.
Here the question arises, what is the nature of democracy? The nature of
democracy is evolutionary. It is not achieved at once. It is the long process. It

needs strong collaboration. The birth place of democracy was England. Sir
Robert Walpole became Prime minister in 1722.Parliamentray democracy
started in England first. Before industrial revolution, concentration of wealth
was under the control of feudal lords, which was disastrous for the promotion
of democracy. Feudalism was a threat for democracy. History clearly reflects
that feudal class was great threat for the establishment of democratic
practice. After Industrial revolution wealth was divided and distributed. Middle
class came to forefront which promoted ideal foam of democracy in different
countries. Democracy first finds ground in India after England. Jawaharlal
Nehru Comprehended the entire scenario of feudalism. He did not give
chance to feudalism to hold ground. These initial efforts brought tremendous
change in India. It laid down the foundation of strong democracy. Active
participation of people has been viewed in India.
Pakistan as a sovereign state came into existence on 14 august 1947.The
initial years of Pakistan was encircled with multitudes of crises. Bundles of
crises have not given smooth path for the establishment of strong democracy.
Since independence Pakistan has been facing a lot of turbulences in the path
of democracy. Utter failures have been viewed since independence. It creates
a sense of self deprivation among masses. Active participation of people has
not been viewed since independence.
The main causes of failure of democracy in Pakistan are summarized as
follows: Overdeveloped state structure, political instability, military
intervention, massive corruption, lack of accountability, weak infrastructure,
feudal dispensation, institutional crises, constitutional crises, strong
bureaucracy, low level of political socialization, extremism, weak civil society
and absence of mature leadership.
Presence of these causes is always considered as a menace to democracy.
Now lets have a cursory look on the elaboration of the following causes.
Overdeveloped state structure causes a great hurdle in the path of
democracy. Pakistan has been facing this challenge since independence. The
monopolization and centralization of power have creating a lot of problem for
Pakistan. It creates hurdles in the way of smooth democracy.
Political instability is the main threat to democratic process. It creates
unnecessary barriers in the process of democracy. Pakistan has been facing
this menace since independence. Because of this problem democracy is
always facing difficulties.
Military intervention in the democratic path was regarded as a dead blow in
the way of democracy. In Pakistan, democracy faced four military intrusions,
which was the menace for democracy.

Massive corruption paved the way for military to intervene in the internal
affairs of country. After independence, massive corruption started to great
extent. It gave path to military elite to rule Pakistan.
Lack of accountability is known as threat for any institution. In the absence of
accountability no country can maintain its strong foothold. It causes a lot of
trouble. Since inception, Pakistan has been facing the challenge of lack of
aacountability.this is main reason of democratic downfall.
Weak infrastructure of Pakistan has been creating a lot of issues. Massive
corruption make infrastructure weak and futile. In the presence of corruption
and absence of accountability make infrastructure weak. Weakness of
infrastructure is creating constraints in the path of democracy.
Feudalism is threat to democracy. After emergence, feudal class had more
power and wealth. This class created barriers in the way of democracy.
Since independence, institutional crises have been viewed. Clash between
judiciary and executive class is a threat to democratic practice. Lack of
consensus is making commotion.
A constitutional crisis is regarded as a definite threat to democratic
procedure. After independence Pakistan took long seven year in drafting
constitution. Certain pitfall also aroused in the path of drafting constitution.
After emergence Pakistan faced strong influence of bureaucracy. In the initial
year of establishment only two institutions were powerful to face the
challenge of early establishment. Quaideazam gave chance to military elite
and bureaucrats to complete the task of establishment. Soon after
completing the task, they maintained strong control over the state institution
which created a lot of problem for Pakistan.
Low level of political socialization in Pakistan has been viewed since
independence. For democratic achievement political socialization is
necessary.
Weak civil society is a menace for democracy. It creates a big gap in the
establishment of democracy. Both are dependable on each other.
Extremism has been spreading like ulcer in Pakistan. It has deep roots in the
past history. It creates a lot of hurdles in the development process. How can
democracy flourish in the presence of trouble makers?
Dynamic leadership is missing in Pakistan. After the death of Powerful leader
Quaideazam Pakistan has been facing democratic vacuum. No leader is like
Father of nation.Quaideazam proved to be marvelous. Since independence no
leader has proved himself as mighty Quaideazam.

Now lets have a cursory look on the impacts of democracy. Democracy puts
positive impacts on individual life, social life, political life and economic life.
Democracy flourishes individual life to great extent. Public say has been
promoted in the presence of democracy. It provides massive opportunity in
the development process. Demands of people have been viewed.
Opportunities have been given to people regarding job.
Society blooms in the presence of democracy. Every department whether
government or private work in an organized manner.
Democracy puts positive impacts on political life. If political parties work with
sincerity in the establishment, and then it proves to be gain. Embezzlement
of funds creates hurdles in the path of democratic process. Political stability
has been needed in the establishment of democracy.
Democracy gives very smooth path to economic development. Both are
interconnected. Funds have been utilized in the socio economic development
which paves the way for successful establishment.
Now lets have a look on the measure for the survival of democracy in
Pakistan. Uninterrupted democratic process, curtailment in the role of army,
efficacious accountability, breakage in power accumulation, judicial
reformation, role of media, limited international interference and political
socialization.
UN interruption in democratic process should be enforced. This can play very
effective role in the establishment of democracy.
Since independence, army intrusion has been viewed which created hurdles
in the path of democracy. Massive intrusion in the democratic process should
be controlled.
Corruption should be controlled. Proper system of accountability should be
launched to eliminate this illegal activity. Accountability is necessary for the
proper working of institutions.
Breakage in the power accumulation process has paved the way for
democracy. Feudal class has been engage in the accumulation of power. They
are power lusty. This power must be snatched from them for proper flow of
democracy in Pakistan.
Judicial reforming is very important for the establishment of democratic
practices. Judiciary is very powerful branch of government. It needs
reformation in its own spheres.
Media is known as the fourth pillar of state. It is now become more powerful

than nuclear. It is powerful way of expression. It gives boost to democracy.

Limitation in international interference is needed. Massive international
interference is a threat to Pakistan sovereignty. It is also a menace to
democracy in Pakistan.
Political socialization is needed. Awareness and mass consciousness about
politics has been required for the strength of democracy. It is the most
powerful way of promoting democracy in our country. Political awareness in
needed in every walk of life. Poor population is easily cheated by shrewd
politician. Awareness can only be promoted by media.
Thus it is clear that democracy is the most viable and effective foam of
government. It gives platform to general masses in the decision making
process. It creates a bridge between Government and people. Massive role of
people has been welcomed in democracy. It creates consciousness among
masses.
In a nutshell, it is a very long way to achieve democracy in true foam in
Pakistan. It requires sincerity and efforts in the establishment. Democracy is
not only foam of government but it is a complete philosophy which covers all
aspects of rights and freedom. It needs public collaboration in true sense.