Democracy is a culture, an individual and national way of life and voice of the masses without any bigotry.
JHANG: The SAARC Charter of Democracy denotes as ‘convinced that undemocratic and unrepresentative governments, weaken national institutions undermine the constitution and the rule of law and threaten social cohesion and stability in the long-run, we hereby commit to strengthen democratic institutions and to reinforce democratic practices.’ But unfortunately, none of the member state has truly abided by it. Democracy is not merely a form of governance or casting of votes but a complete code of state functioning in every walk, sphere and segment. Democracy is a culture, an individual and national way of life and voice of the masses without any bigotry.
One of the major issues regarding democracy in South Asia is that it is fully under the influence of feudal lords bestowed to this region by the Britain, business tycoons and army generals. Political revenges, rivalries and personal vengeances have overpowered the politics of this region. South Asia is composed of a myriad cultures, languages and religions. It is full of commonalties, contradictions and diversities. It is one of the world’s most populated regions. SAARC, the representative organization of the region has failed at every front. The concept of large armies especially of India and Pakistan with advanced military equipments has undermined the socio-economic development as larger portion of their budgets goes to military spending every year.
Pakistan is divided among few feuds, corporate and military men. Every one prefers what suits to its conceited interests. Since inception, Pakistan is like an ownerless property between these forces. They all always play hide and seek on the cost of national development. Afghanistan is caught up in US-West plots and Taliban’s terrorism, it is at the same time struggling for the survival of simply a state and nation.
SAARC is the victim of the jaggedness of its member states and geo-political ambitions and supremacy. True democracy is the only panacea for the wounds, deprivations and differences of this region.
Zulqarnain Sewag
Published in The Express Tribune, September 4th, 2014.
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