Democracy in Pakistan

These days' print and electronic media is engaged in the restoration of democracy in Pakistan. Even a 'Charter of Democracy' has been signed between two so-called popular leaders in London. These leaders and their top party members knock at the doors of Don McKinnon, secretary-general of the Commonwealth and of the US administration to help them to restore democracy in Pakistan so that they can come into power instead. They claim that they also have deep affection for ordinary Pakistanis who, according to them, are with them. What is the reality? There is an elected National Assembly and Senate as well as the provincial assemblies. There are about 342 MNAs, about 100 senators and a large number of MPAs. Then there are hundreds of elected nazims, naib nazims and councillors in district governments. Are all these people in military uniform or in civilian clothes? Which party at present is in a majority in the National Assembly, Senate and the provincial assemblies? The Press and electronic media enjoy a degree of freedom not seen in a long time. Even the opposition leaders and parties openly criticise the government and also the president. What else is democracy? If the Pakistan Muslim League-Q and its allied parties are holding a majority in all these houses then it clearly means that the majority of Pakistanis are supporting these parties. It seems that according to PPP and Muslim League (N) only those who are with them constitute Pakistan's awam and the rest of the great majority who are not with them are perhaps not Pakistani awam. Then there is an important and basic issue relating to democracy. In a democratic set up it is absolutely necessary that every voter should be able to vote according to his/her choice without any fear, pressure or monetary incentives from a party whose manifesto he or she likes. This basic ingredient of democracy is missing in Pakistan mainly because of despotic feudal and industrial lords who are members of the National Assembly, Senate and Provincial Assemblies. In their constituencies can anybody dare to oppose or vote against them? Take the recent hike in sugar and cement prices. The public accounts committee of the National Assembly is on record that this situation was created by these very people who own sugar mills and factories. The chairman of the PAC is requested to pursue the matter to its logical end and expose the national criminals. In the case of cement the price per bag was first raised to more than Rs350 and now they have shown mercy and said that the price will be reduced to Rs295. If these people were really interested in the well-being of the general public they should have passed a law that no one in Pakistan should charge more profit than 10 to 20 per cent over the cost. In the prevailing situation only very rich people can try and seek election to parliament. The Election Commission should be empowered to ensure strict compliance of election rules and should take strict action against violators of law. Only then may we hope to have real democracy in Pakistan.

by  j.iqbal