A Democratic Challenge for Pakistan

Analyzing the governance in several nations, we see that while some nations were under authoritarian rule or monarchy, others were governed by the theocratic, and few were under anarchy. We see many forms of governance among which, the famous ones seen today are Democracy, Authoritarian and the Military dictatorship. However, Democracy is one of the most desirable forms of government, which is not seen being established in its true form, especially in developing countries, and one such country is Pakistan. In Abraham Lincoln’s view, ‘Democracy is the rule of people, for the people and by the people’. Pakistan is a form of Parliamentary Democracy, a genre of the representative form of democratic governance.

Although many countries declare themselves as democratic nations, most of them fail to fit in the category of a true democratic state. For instance, Bangladesh was created on democratic grounds, but this democratic governance was short lived. It was hindered because of military intervention, by the illiteracy, poverty and ignorance and more. Similarly, among the nations which categorize themselves as democratic ones, Pakistan is among one of them. A question here arises, is Pakistan a true democratic state?

Before analyzing the situation of Pakistan, it is important to highlight the importance of Democracy. Polish foreign Minister, Warsaw, in the conference of democracies declared the core principles of democracy, which was signed by most of the world's democracies. These principles laid the basis of the democratic governance. However, before proposing them, Warsaw answered the definite question, why democracy?

According to him, democracy is important for a Nation, on the basis of the following fundamentals:

ž Human rights
ž Peace
ž Economic development
ž Justice and solidarity
ž Participation and empowerment of the individuals

Hence on the basis of these reasons, seven countries Chile, the Czech Republic, India, the Republic of Korea, Mali, the United States and Poland, decided on joint organization of a conference, “Towards a Community of Democracies.”
Analyzing the European society suggests, that parliamentary democracy was a manner of government to run the state. This was seen in the early 18th and 19th century based on the capitalist development, elimination of the feudal system, mechanization, urbanization, enlightenment, development in education and in science and technology. These features were a key in establishing a strong and stable democracy, suitable for the people in European society, having a liberal choice available. As a contrary, these vital features are either weak or missing in Pakistan.

The status of democracy in Pakistan roots back to the times of the subcontinent. The British Raj initiated a different mindset in the people of the subcontinent. Before their leadership, the subcontinent was ruled by imperialism. The British rule developed the concept of superiority and inferiority, impairing their thinking, and ultimately the people forgot their freedom of expression and speech. This situation was transformed by the revolutionary leaders such as Jinnah, Gandhi, Sir Syed and several more, who made the Indians realize about the British powers. The struggle continued till 1947 ultimately dividing the United India into Pakistan and India.

Despite sharing the same history, during the past few decades, a conspicuous change and difference has been seen in the governance of India and Pakistan. India has an independent judiciary unlike Pakistan. Indian leaders are technocrats, which controls the top positions of the government. Although, corruption is a major obstacle to governance, in both the countries, yet India has a stronger democracy than Pakistan. Immediately after partition, the state of education is noticeable. However, the government of India is more concerned for the uplift of the masses and strives to develop the IT sector, Pakistan fails to do so. Moreover, the Pakistani government fails to gain the trust of the masses as has not been seen working much for the welfare of its citizen. On the other hand, the Indian government, despite the population growth, has worked hard upon developing the education, agriculture and other sectors, for the interests of the people.
Some of the major problems towards democracy, faced by Pakistan, are explained in detail below.

Education:
Education is important when it comes to establish a strong democracy. Currently, Pakistan spends approximately 1.8% of GDP on the education sector against the required 4% of GDP as recommended by the UN (Dr. Hassan, 2005). The current literacy rate makes it lucid as to where our nation stands today. The masses are required to be educated in order to be aware of their rights. Education would make them vigilant and tolerant and would enable them to decide about their future. Educated masses would not be moved by emotions and false hopes to vote an incompetent leader, but would be able to make a correct decision for their secured and liberal future.

Similarly, along with the educated masses, Pakistan requires an educated leader, a leader with a vision who leads the nation on the path of success. For this purpose, the country should set criteria for eligible candidates, not only on the basis of power and age, but also education and experience.

Feudalism:
The culture of feudalism has existed since Pakistan was born. It was the British who gifted lands during the war of 1857, on the account of the cooperation showed by the people. Since then, the system of jagidars and zamindars is prevalent in the country. These British acts laid the foundation of the feudalism culture. Feudalism is thus, one of the greatest hurdles in establishing true democracy, thereby is one of the major reason behind the unstable Political state of Pakistan. The feudal mentality revolves around selfishness, power and money while justice and honesty is not the feature of these landlords.

Judiciary:
Judiciary plays an important role in establishing democracy in any nation. Democracy would flourish in any country, if the judiciary imparts justice, which is not observed in Pakistan, where a weak judicial system exists. There is no system of check and balance present in Pakistan, as seen in Iran, which regulates the whole system of governance. Therefore, the political system and the judiciary in specific, is run by power and money, which is seen in Pakistan, where a just and fair system is not prevalent. This weakness undermines the democracy to foster. Therefore, Pakistan needs an independent judiciary which is away from politics and is not affiliated with any political party. Hence, only in such circumstances, judiciary could play its required essential role of justice.

Conclusion:
The government in Iran is a combination of Islamic theocracy and democracy. Its political system is quite unique and complex which plays an important role in the stability and strength of the country. It has a supreme leader who appoints the heads of other bodies. Moreover, there is a Guardian Council present which keeps a check and balance upon the candidates running for the elections, along with those being appointed.
Hence, such a check and balance system is required in Pakistan which scrutinizes the laws and the working of the bodies. Apart from such a system, Pakistan requires a true leader who unifies everyone and everything, a leader with a strong vision to take the country towards the road of success. We need an educated public who are well aware of their rights, who could make their right choice and elect the best leader. We want a political system with leaders who work for the nation and not for their own personal interests. We need an industrial revolution and elimination of the feudal system. If these reformatory measures are incorporated, a strong and stable democratic government would develop in Pakistan.