Having the patience for democracy
There is no question that Pakistan needs a new direction to realise the vision of its founding fathers. We have to bounce back from the brink. Terrorism lives among us. It is the biggest challenge for the people of Pakistan and the international community. The country must also tackle rising global oil prices, high inflation, energy shortages, unemployment, low foreign investment and political instability.
What, then, should be the course of action for those seeking a secure, democratic, modern and progressive Pakistan, with respect for the rights of the people and a stable environment for all citizens to progress and develop?
First and foremost, we must renegotiate our understanding of recent history and national identity. Do we want to be a country associated with extremism and militancy? A country that is considered a safe haven for terrorists from around the world? One where extremists kill and maim citizens and soldiers with impunity? Do we want to be on the right side of history?
The correct answer to all these questions involves our continuing along the democratic path. If consent of the governed is the most fundamental concept of democracy, its most essential right is that of citizens to choose their leaders in free, fair and regular elections. Freedom of press is obviously vital for the nourishment of democracy. It is important that the voice of the people, with all its diversity, is not suppressed. At the same time, if the media fails to protect the democratic ideal, then it is not playing its role in a free society. A truly independent judiciary is another vital requisite for ensuring democratic culture.
Democracy needs great patience. It may be tempting to dislodge a government prematurely or demand midterm elections but true democracy lies in governmental stability between scheduled national elections. Only if democracy is given the time to mature will Pakistan have a chance to join the rank of nations where the majority prefers sensible policy over immediate patronage.
Since 2008, Pakistan has been in the process of rebuilding a democratic tradition. President Zardari relinquished the sweeping presidential powers he inherited from Pervez Musharraf by signing the 18th Amendment which returned Pakistan to a parliamentary democracy more in line with its 1973 Constitution. The political reconciliation process initiated by Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and carried forward by the government has the potential to restore people’s confidence in the democratic forces. But the political class has to change its culture of endless bickering and constant one-upmanship.
Pakistan has taken the challenge of defeating the Pakistani Taliban seriously. Pakistan’s army and Frontier Corps are taking up the fight and have the citizenry with them.While limited resources are available, the country has made enormous investments in its internal security apparatus. This menace is not going to go anywhere soon. We must have the backbone to confront it — and, over a longer period of time, to defeat it.
The country’s challenges are daunting but there is no alternative to staying the course. We can allow our difficulties to lead us down the road of restiveness, as has been the case in the past. The result would be an illusion of change, possibly with a saviour or strongman emerging only to leave the nation’s fundamental direction unresolved. The only way forward towards a liberal, progressive Pakistan is through patience and faith in democracy.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 17th, 2011.
COMMENTS (22)
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Novice parties have done better at the helm than PPP and company. Look at the Workers Party in Brazil and even the Islamic party in Turkey. They look competent and PPP and company seem incompetent in their reflection. It happens every time they comes to power. These parties are also competent at Local Government level, which PPP/PML-N and ANP cannot handle, which return of Commissionerate system reveals in spades! Workers Party implemented innovations at local level that were adopted across Latin America and then were adopted in developed countries!. The Islamic party in Turkey has shown it can operate local governments ably as wel as the economy. Turkey has 16 cities that have decentralized cities. PPP and company couldn't even tolerate one! Patience with democracy should be equated with toleration for perpetual incompetence!
Former President Pervez Musharraf highlighted extremism and terrorism as one of the main threats to the existence of Pakistan on October 12, 1999. To say that President Musharraf joined the WoT dues to the international pressure is absolutely rubbish.
Mrs. Farahnaz Haqqani should write about the lack of performance by the PPPP govt. and why vast majority of Pakistanis hate, not dislike, but hate Mr. Zardari and his entire team.
@Fayyaz Mughal...Please keep in mind the most successful and refined democracy in the world-USA- is all the time talking about reforms in every governing system. Pakistan must start reforming systems one by one. There has to be a starting point that is eluding us for last 63 years. PPP govt must be commended for starting it with the constitution, but that does not mean anything if the particular system that affect people on daily basis is not reformed. Just look at police structure. It is based on military pattern and recruitment is done at 3 or even 4 levels. Plus it is same as was promulgated by the British in 1861. Yes 1861. Pakistanis should be ashamed to continue that system which British did not have in their own country and is unlike any being used in any western country where recruitment is done only at the bottom level. And you should know that life in western countries is safest, most just and most tolerant. Don't we have even one intelligent person in Pakistan that would have realized this? Remember change is a top-down phenomenon, not bottom up. One good leader can fix the nation, but unfortunately we do not have one. Think of residences for civil servants and members of assemblies. None of the free republics in the west have that practice in use. ONLY armed forces personnel are provided residences and that too only while in service. I can give you many examples of the worst governing systems being used in Pakistan that were used by occupying power-British. After independence we should have started afresh.
mughal
@Ali. PPP is a democratic party, Perhaps you are quite naive about structure of PPP. There is always a Central Executive Committee that chooses its party chairman and there is no binding on CEC to choose its chairman that descends from predecessors.It depends upon capability to lead not mere family choice. Second, you said that religious extremism always seem to run wild upon PPP arrival.You have exactly pin pointed the situation. It is just because whenever PPP comes into power, all these right wing monsters stand unite and unleash religious terrorists to undermine PPP Government. They knew that PPP is only secular party and poses very threat to their existence. How do you perceive the role of PML-N and other religious parties.What do you say about this news " Terror group LeJ chief Malik Ishaq received monthly stipend from Punjab govt in jail? please comment?
Grandfather, Daughter, Husband, Son, Rehman Malik, and Zulfiqar Mirza this is not a democracy. The PPP may be the single most destructive entity in Pakistan. The biggest irony is that its day to day activities may be liberal. But overall the happenings in the country when they take over are opposite to what they preach. Religious extremism almost always seems to run wild upon their arrival. Pakistan will be a better place once the PPP is gone.
@Rafi. I do not rebuff your statement that there is corruption in Pakistan. But do you think there was no corruption before 2008? Do you think PPP is sole responsible for this phenomenon? No my dear corruption is breeding since inception of Pakistan.No one spares a single chance to loot and plunder even if you get a chance you would not spare. You are talking about Transparency Internationalism. Have you any idea how this organisations operates and what are its motives? Transparency International, a small NGO with local affiliates who are not past political prejudice, draws up its index. The average man is led to believe that Transparency International is some kind of a United Nations, which it is not, and its reports are based on measuring corruption, which they are not either. The truth is that Transparency International is a Berlin-based organization that publishes an annual Corruption Perceptions Index based on surveys “from 13 independent institutions” based on “the opinions of business people and country analysts.” So all that Transparency’s reports tell us is what some businessmen perceive and tell the
@IG: WE can not wait till we are totally failed. We were close to that in 1999 but Musharraf gave us life and breath. Democracy is not just elections as Musharraf said .These leaders have been tested and failed again and again . We have to try others and practice makes perfect
We should look for a third democratic force and that is Musharraf ,Imran and MQM as soon as possible.
How much patience is needed for democracy? Even if we show patience in this matter, we cant be more patient regarding the corruption of this political regime.
In the whole article there is no mention of reforming the colonial and British designed governing systems. These systems are not suitable for a free republic. Just look at police system and compare it to very safe and prosperous western nations. Why can't we research and compare our systems to those of other successful countries. Writers write in abstract terms that are not the real cause of mayhem in Pakistan. SAD!
@MUHAMMAD KAUKAB: What type of democracy do you suggest then, Mr Kaukab? Thanks.
Very well said Ms Farhanaz Ispahani.
The chattering classes supported by section of media are trying to derail the democratic process. But the govt has been taking wise steps to sustain itself and strenghthen the democratic process.
Most of us conviniently forget the state of war we are in and the massive unprecedented floods last year have both had an immense negative impact on our economy. Still we demand robost economic outcome.
Democracy and demcracy alone is the solution of all ills we are trapped in today. It must be allowed to take roots and to strengthin itself. Any other dispensation would lead to chaos and would further increase the sufferings of people and country.
@Mr. Ishrat Salim. It is not the PPP responsible for the poverty or inflation. It is a global phenomenon, Global financial crunch landed people across world in trouble. Being rational is a different thing while being impulsive is another. Before lambasting PPP for all these issues, you must have a look in current economic and poverty surveys conducted in different countries of the world. Here is example of India. As of 2010, more than 37% of India’s population of 1.35 billion still lives below the poverty line. More than 22% of the entire rural population and 15% of the urban population of India exists in this difficult physical and financial predicament. In USA 13 to 17% of Americans living below the federal poverty line at any given point in time, and roughly 40% falling below the poverty line at some point within a 10-year time span.Pakistan is a developing country not developed like USA, despite we are much more better than the developed nations that are facing same phenomenon more vigorously.
@ Mirza...tell the poor people on the street to hv patience when they are dying due to poor economic conditions....?? you will get the answer & let know - what answer you got.
Which democracy Madam you are talking about. It would have been better that you should have defined your version of democracy before preaching to preserve it, or you mean to maintain the status-quo where about 300 families has the monopoly over political power to safeguard their vested interest. be specific rather than ambiguous to hoodwink the common man with your politics of patronage where the merit is subservient to party loyalty. The appointments in newly created Sindh Revenue Authority is illustrative of this policy.
@ Alsidhiq Democracy doesn’t just spring out of thin air; it is a gradual process taking decades sometimes centennials, to strengthen institutions to the point where one could say it is a ‘fair’ democracy representing the people’s interests. Don’t forget we just got out of the clutches of colonialism just 6 decades ago, and we’ve spent half of that under an undemocratic system. It will take another 6 decades to strengthen our institutions – it just doesn’t happen overnight and the only things that do happen overnight are usually flimsy and unsustainable steps forward followed by two steps backward. Democracy to flourish sometimes takes decades and sometimes centuries. The feudal, Jagirdars, Sardars and Chaudhris, can not contain democracy when a democratic process smoothly kicks off, but it is unfortunate, in 63 years we have just a single example when democracy completed its tenure. Democracies does not flourish in this way, India is lucid example. @Mr. Pervez, PPP is the only party that practices what it promises. Don’t forget sacrifices of PPP leaders for the sack of democracy. It were PPP leaders who rendered their lives to safe democracy. Just give me a single example of any other party who lost its leaders for the country and democracy. If same practice goes on history will witness that there will be no other Bhutto to safe Pakistan, There is will be no other Benazir to sacrifice her life in the way of democracy and there will no other Zardari to chant “Pakistan Khappy”. It was no other but PPP leaders that refused to swayed their tails before a dictator and faced all the tyrannies but did not abandon their struggle for democracy. PPP was always given rule when country was in trouble and it was PPP that saved it.
We only have patience for military dictators. Each of them ruled Paksitan for an average of 10 years or so. Yehya Khan did not finish his decade and had to leave power after he broke the country. We have lots of patience but only for dictators.
Very well said Mrs Farhanaz that there are number of other institutions that have to play their role to nourish the democracy like media, SC, political parties. They must be independent and unbiased and consider the national interest as their prime concern and objective. The present government is rightly following the path of democracy through bringing all stakeholders on same page to take any big decisions. Until and unless the present process not completes then Pakistan will face many other challenges ahead. Therefore, it is necessary that every stakeholder of this country must be optimistic and neutral to analyse the reality!!!
Listening about democratic norms from Mr and Ms Hussain Haqqani is as cool as watching Jamat e Islami's Ameer reciting poems of Faiz and Jalib.
Coming from the pen of a senior PPP person all one can say is that it would do wonders for our country if your party practised what you preach.
Some undeniable facts to remember. The 9/11 drama was an inside job. All the logistics, support the fact that such a kind of high tech operation is utterly beyond the scope of any group anywhere in the world except those who have good deal of influene among the elite in the USA. Terrorism is the tool of the Colonial Parasites to subdue and enslave the weak nations. Those who resist terrorism of the Colonial Parasites are called "terrorists". Democracy is by the people, of the people and for the people. Such an arrangement simply does NOT exist anywhere on the face of our earth. Democracy will never come to the people who are not prepared to come together to work to achieve it in their free hours. It will not come until people will organise themselves to achieve their "true and effective" representation. "True and effective" representation of the people, is not to be found anywhere in the world. Democracy simply does not exist anywhere except in the words of Opium pushers. Democracy does not exist just because people at large never worked to achieve it. The Leaders, Sirdars, Choudhrees etc. are not needed to achieve democracy. Peoples' willingness to come together to work for it is what is needed to achieve democracy.