KARACHI:
The foundations of democracy are grounded in bringing divergent interests together to reach a consensus on an issue. Resultantly, consensual decision-making has greater chances of success due to collective ownership. Resolving differences through mutual negotiations deter extra-constitutional forces from intruding into the political domains.
The 1973 Constitution and 18th Amendment underscore the significance of dialogue and political maturity that resulted in the landmark achievements. The PPP must be credited for bringing disparate factions together to agree on the monumental constitutional reforms on both occasions. The PPP-led government under Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto deserves praise for making different parties agree on framing a new constitution on federal lines for the first time in the country. Consequently, the upper house, Senate, was formed to reduce provincial disparities and grievances of smaller provinces that had a minimal voice in a unicameral legislature. Furthermore, the presidency was reduced to a mere ceremonial figurehead, as is the spirit of the federal character of the constitution.
Around four decades later, in 2010, the PPP-led government passed the 18th Amendment, the giant leap toward realising the true federation. However, the Amendment entailed a laborious task of bringing different political parties together, as the government did not have the required majority to get it done on its own. Both these instances highlight the importance of dialogue, which makes seemingly complex tasks easy. The country is on the verge of bankruptcy, with the record inflation and burgeoning current deficits haunting ordinary citizens. The difficult economic situation demands political parties to set aside their differences and agree on a charter of democracy. Amid the political and economic chaos, the PTI head’s recent remarks that he would not sit with thieves, alluding to the rival political parties, depicts his dictatorial mindset. The gross apathy to democratic norms is unfortunate.
Asad Aziz
Khushab
Published in The Express Tribune, August 21st, 2022.
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