Pakistan’s democratic deficit

Democratic ideals are easier to pay lip-service to than they are to implement. Most countries around the world are struggling with overcoming elite capture and paying genuine heed to the will of their people. In countries with large populations, and a general dearth of resources, the distortion of democratic ideals is particularly glaring, which in turn produces varied governance inadequacies.

There are major democratic deficits within South Asia. Democracy is under threat in Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka. In India, Hindu majoritarianism is undermining democracy. In Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina’s one-party system has stifled democracy. Sri Lanka is still trying to come out of the shadow of the Rajapaksa brothers, despite their ouster following the collapse of the country’s economy.

In the case of Pakistan, both authoritarianism and outsized military influence on the political-economy are blamed for corroding the body politic. A recent ‘State of Democracy in Pakistan’ report by PILDAT rightly termed 2022 an especially depressing year for democracy.

While Pakistan has apparently been ruled by democratically elected governments for a decade now, the military is still considered the most powerful state institution. Military coups may no longer be tenable, but the military still exerts a heavy influence on political processes.

PILDAT aptly points out how different institutions of the state continue to undermine each other, which in turn prevents the democratic system from maturing. For instance, it cites the assertiveness shown by the Election Commission of Pakistan when it took notice against several government officials for alleged rigging in the Daska by-poll in 2021. However, the judiciary last year then decided to reverse ECP action against the accused polling staff. In the past, the judiciary has had a mixed record in terms of supporting democratic processes. Consider, for instance, articulation of the ‘doctrine of necessity’ on the one hand, and the judicial activism which enabled the overthrow of the military regime in 2008.

Ironically, mainstream political leaders are reluctant to allow devolution of power to the grassroots level, as evidenced by the hesitation of several past democratically elected governments to operationalise local governments. The internal structures of political parties are hardly democratic either. Political leaders also want to lead from the top, and hardly pay any attention to engaging with the legislative process.

The bureaucracy has often enabled various rulers to bypass due processes as well. Hamza Alavi had aptly described the governance system in post-colonial countries like Pakistan as ‘overdeveloped’ states. The governance system put in place by the colonial administration was meant to rule over people rather than to represent them, and despite years of independence, it seems that the series of governments which have come to head the governments of countries like Pakistan have continued to rely on similar tactics, despite their claims of representing the aspirations of the people.

The lack of respect for democratic norms enables repeated assaults on free media, the use of divisive tactics to polarise society, and the use of political vendettas to undermine opponents in the name of accountability and tackling corruption.

PILDAT’s report on democracy noted how Imran Khan’s departure from the office of Prime Minister occurred via a constitutional process of a successful vote of no-confidence. Yet, this constitutional process was initiated only after the ex-PM had apparently lost the establishment’s support. Clearly, the solution to making political processes more responsive and effective is not to prevent civilian governments from completing their full terms.

Another bout of general elections is now around the corner. Pakistan is presently experiencing severe economic stress and unprecedented polarisation. The threat of terrorism has also resurfaced. However, these problems should not be used to undermine due process in the name of national security or national interests. What the country desperately needs instead is political stability and political continuity.

The solution to Pakistan’s democratic deficit is not discarding democracy but genuinely embracing it instead.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 17^th, 2023.

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