Unfortunately, democracy, as practiced in our country, is far from being the true kind of democracy
ISLAMABAD: This is with reference to Imtiaz Gul’s article, “Senate: ideals and practice” (March 11). The writer has criticised the practice of election of Senate members, which is against the ideal for which it was created by the Constitution-makers. He is very right in what he says. The election of the members of the Senate has always been criticised and it is general knowledge that a huge amount of money is used to buy a seat in the Senate. The Upper House, which was supposed to look after the interests of the provinces, has been made irrelevant with residents of other provinces being elected from provinces to which they do not belong. But why criticise the Senate alone?
Unfortunately, democracy, as practiced in our country, is far from being the true kind of democracy. This is the case not only in the Senate but even in the case of National Assembly members, where votes are purchased. Elections are regularly and heavily rigged as has been admitted by different members of the National Assembly.
As far as political parties are concerned, the way they are structured is far from being in accordance with the spirit of democracy. Most of the parties are nothing but family fiefdoms, and built along hereditary lines. Since the establishment of Pakistan, often the same families can be found ruling the parties and the country. You can see a party started by the grandfather now being run by the grandson. Political parties turn into such entities only in places where democracy is weak. The election process of the Senate is not the only thing that needs to be changed. The entire democratic set-up of the country needs to be overhauled.
Dr Nisar A Kayani
Published in The Express Tribune, March 13th, 2015.
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