KARACHI:
Pakistan is a constitutional democracy with a parliamentary form of government and three independent institutions, each enjoying powers defined in the Constitution. There exists an executive headed by the Prime Minister, who enjoys majority support in parliament with an opposition having a constitutional role. Both are elected members of parliament who pledge an oath to uphold the Constitution in letter and spirit. This oath makes it obligatory on both to accept each other’s legitimacy and interact for the smooth running of affairs and ensure a healthy environment based on tolerance and mutual respect. Political differences must never be taken to an extreme, where they translate into personal animosities.
Unfortunately, Pakistan created through a political struggle, led by politicians of integrity, became a victim of adventurism from within. The pioneers of our freedom struggle had risen through the political process and acquired acumen, which became an asset that facilitated them to achieve a separate homeland. In 1958, all political parties were banned and by 1959 over 75 politicians were disqualified including those who had participated in the struggle for independence. Since then, the process of derailing Jinnah’s vision of a modern democratic welfare state began and resulted in the entrenchment of undemocratic norms.
Instead of learning any lessons from 1971, undemocratic norms have been perpetuated for so long that today political divisions and disagreements have turned into animosities. The political leaders are no longer willing to sit together with each other to resolve their differences. Resultantly, the country is in a royal mess with the economy in shambles and re-emerging threats to the country’s security and survival.
Malik Tariq Ali
Lahore
Published in The Express Tribune, March 3rd, 2023.
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