Q#01: Discuss the key reasons behind the problems of Political Parties in Pakistan.

Logically justify each reason?

Ans#: The impact of political parties on the work of the parliament and on the conduct of its members is
critical. It has to a great extent been sanctioned by law, be it at the level of the constitution or laws or
the parliamentary standing orders. But, the real influence of the parties goes far beyond what is laid
down in the letter of the law. In general, it derives from the spearheading role played by the parties in
the country’s political life. The most frequently identified functions of political parties in the
contemporary literature on the subject can be summarized as follows:

 the aggregation of diverse basic interests represented in the society,

 the integration of voters into the democratic process not only through elections process but also
other forms of participation, forging links between citizens and policymakers – termed the
participatory linkage function,
 the formulation of policy programmes and proposals for national or local agendas and setting up
platforms to mobilize societal support,
 the selection of political leaderships and the wider political elites (parties are the key actors in
popular elections at different levels and in creating government and some other state bodies).

In the light of these functions, it is understandable that the political parties may take a dominant
position in shaping the conduct of MPs in carrying out their mandates. The scale of this influence
may differ depending on the party model and the type of the party system, as well as the standing and
the position occupied by an individual MP.

Parties which rely on close links with their electorate need to respect the standing of an MP in his/her
constituency. It is very often the MP with high authority at the local level who can generate voter
support and help to raise financial contributions for the party. Mass parties with a strong
programmatic orientation and/or parties addressing specific sectors of voters usually act along these
lines.
The goal of electing public officials is what unites political parties and what distinguishes them from
other groups. There are many political parties in the Pakistan work differently, but all strive to
achieve the same electoral end.

Parties can promote democratic government and facilitate citizenship by aggregating and
articulating the interests of citizens and politicians; by organizing coalitions of smaller interest
groups; by assisting in coordinating elections; by coordinating the legislative process; and
finally, by facilitating collective political action.

Political parties must also take into consideration the rules of any election, as well as the
political and economic realities in which the campaign must function. Rules on campaign
finance and concerning primary elections constrain how parties can get their own candidates
nominated, and how they can raise funds, while the political climate and recent events affect
how citizens will vote, usually outside of the influence of the party itself.

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Q#02: Suggest practical solution for each problem in political parties?

Ans#: Some suggested practical solution for each problem in political parties are given below:

 FUNCTIONS:
The functions are the mechanisms by which parties represent their
constituents within the larger democratic system. In order to be effective and truly aggregate
citizen interests, parties must approach the functions with the goal of representing their
constituents, and with an understanding of their concerns. The extent to which this is the case is
based on their commitment to democratic principles and their access to technical skills and
resources.

 ATTRIBUTES:

The extent to which a party embodies principles of participation, accountability

and inclusiveness indicates its commitment to democratic practices. But parties also require
certain core technical skills and capacities in order to function and properly aggregate constituent
interests. Together, these attributes contribute to how effectively parties aggregate and represent
citizen interests in carrying out their functions.

 PRINCIPLES:
Every society and community comprise different interests, views, values and
ideas. Because of this diversity, it is generally impossible for a particular party or leader to
represent an entire society. Some may seek to represent certain socioeconomic groups such as
workers, farmers or business owners, or may organize around specific issues like the
environment or internet freedom, while others may identify with regional, ethnic or gender
groups. When parties are accountable to their constituencies, and promote inclusion and
participation, they become an important space for citizens to participate in the political process
and hold their government accountable. Moreover, when political parties apply these principles
in their interactions with other democratic actors, they promote democratic competition and
participation in the party system as a whole. These principles flow from certain core tenets that
underpin democracy, such as the right to participate in government, freedom of expression, and
accountability.

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