Democracy and discontent

In 7 decades, we had only one democratic transition in 2013 when one elected party took over from another

There is ample evidence from our history to show that discontent — social, economic and political — has led to democratic breakdown, opening up opportunity for the military to step in. It has happened four times. Each intervention in constitutional politics produced enormous structural difficulties in consolidation of democracy in post-military regimes. Many of the problems Pakistan’s democracy faces have roots in military dictatorship, but the political leaders and parties cannot be absolved of their responsibility in destabilising elected governments and encouraging the military to take over. There are not too many of these parties and leaders who at one time or another were not part of a military regime. The reason is simple; power, generally personal power of the dominant political elites no matter what the means has been greater driving force than any commitment to constitutional or democratic principle.

In seven decades, we had only one democratic transition in 2013 when one elected party took over from another political party. We consider this as the beginning of a new democratic era in Pakistan, as it has set a new norm. While there is a wider consensus on democracy to grow and take deeper roots in society, there are many elements and forces, both political as well as religious that consider democracy more as a means to power than an ideology. One of the many reasons for the collapse of democracy is lack of ideological commitment to democratic principle of legitimacy as well as governance. This applies both to the governments in power and to the opposition parties. Every party has used electoral democracy as a means to power, more for personal aggrandisement than serving the public good.

This form of procedural and corrupt democratic rule has produced political and social discontent repeatedly in Pakistan. Wherever perverted and questionable ‘democratic’ means have been used to acquire power or challenge the powers of those who have formed ‘elected’ governments, democratic stability has lost out to chaos in the streets. The current political crisis we see growing in intensity by the day is pushing Pakistan back to the familiar cycle of chaos in the streets.

The opposition parties encouraging and lending support to religious factions known for capturing streets, disrupting normal urban life, and even engaged in violence, kidnapping policemen and destruction of public property shows political expediency. Never they realise that they are strengthening anti-democratic forces, and may face the very same elements with greater vigour once they are elected to public offices. This is neither responsible opposition politics nor promoting democracy in the country; this is pure opportunism.

The problem started with the majority party in power about a year back when the Panama Papers revealed the name of the Sharif family having registered offshore companies which the corrupt politicians, bureaucrats and businessmen around the world use for parking corruption monies, tax evasion and money-laundering. This was a shameful betrayal by the Sharif family of the mandate, popular support and the honour this country has given to Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif by electing him prime minister three times. There are other corruption charges against him. The problem is that Mr Sharif controls the party as a business firm and a feudal dynasty, and such he has used the puppet federal government — handpicked by him and the party for his personal defence and of his family.

Democracy within the party would have evicted Mr Sharif from the party position and the party would have elected a new leadership. That would have ended opposition that is using questionable means. The country is fast slipping towards yet another cycle of confrontational politics. Only an early elections can pull it off the precipice.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 13^th, 2017.

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