Democracy, for whom?

Letter July 28, 2020
We need a complete overhaul of the system

Our ruling elite pretend that they love democracy. However, since the creation of Pakistan, these farcical words have been repeated as a mantra by politicians and dictators alike, with real democracy nowhere in sight.

Whosoever comes to power, by whatever means, becomes the champion of democracy while doing whatever they wish with no regard to the will of the people. In fact, the common people have been ignored the most, in the various forms of “real democracy” that have been experimented in our country. The only people that seem to be benefiting from such an illusion are the rich and the powerful. They have amassed wealth beyond imagination while thousands of citizens fall into poverty every other day. On the one hand, there are no hospitals to diagnose and treat people suffering from complicated diseases, while on the other hand, the ruling elite are using their ill-gotten money for world-class health facilities abroad. In short, the government for the people has never benefitted the people in our country.

We need a complete overhaul of the system such that people who understand the norms of democracy are appointed as leaders. Only then can we have some form of accountability to make sure that relevant steps are being taken to ameliorate the problems of citizens.

Raja Shafaatullah

Islamabad

Published in The Express Tribune, July 28th, 2020.

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