Over the seven decades of its existence, Pakistan has not evolved as a democracy. The seed of democracy has clearly not delivered fruit yet. In its present state, it is plutocracy, stratocracy, and dynastic with authoritarian inklings.
Sadly, Pakistanis are not questioning the health of democracy. Why so?
In real democracy, public is the real stakeholder, while in lame democracy, same public is the politicians’ asset. There is an asset to be taken advantage of, an asset to be manipulated and an asset to shield and mask their sins.
Pakistan’s democracy is an epitome of rigged elections, hereditary succession of one party after another, fixed rotation of one power elite after another, selections of electables, and more. Elections – the soul of democracy – have become a business venture, an exorbitant transaction, than a means of public voice, will or choice.
Democracy is about money, influence and exploitation of the masses. The empowered class threatens the masses of dire consequences if they choose to vote against will of the patrons in chief of constituencies. Power is their only objective. They use power to disempower the masses and the country’s standing at large. And this power doesn’t come cheap, though its dividends are enormous.
Making it to the power corridor warrants financial investments that are repaid in form of hard power, offshore assets, and social superiority.
How many from the lower socio-economic strata have risen to the higher echelons of society on merit and through elections? It’s an open secret that whosoever dares to challenge the authority of the ‘electables’ is dislodged and forgotten forever. The ultimate triumph in elections is decided by the number of electables a party holds than public choice.
Pakistan’s democracy is an epitome of rigged elections, hereditary succession of one party after another, fixed rotation of one power elite after another, selections of electables, and more. Elections – the soul of democracy – have become a business venture, an exorbitant transaction, than a means of public voice, will or choice.
We hear cries of injustices, lawlessness and inflation. We know about the incidents of violations of human rights and equality of law. But those in power are unmindful and insensitive to the peoples’ plight.
The society is polarised, institutional harmony is non-existent and freedom of press, choices and actions remain unacknowledged. Policies are ad hoc and public participation in decision-making negligent.
Fragile, destitute, bruised and bleeding is thy name of democracy in Pakistan. Soon it’s remedied, the better. Only an antidote to a lame democracy is more democracy. This includes, but not limited to, institutional harmony, supremacy of law, political maturity and transparent elections, and increased political conscious.
