Democracy’s dividends

President Zardari has made it clear that there is no option for the country but to move along with democracy and ensure it is not subverted. In a joint press conference with his Afghan counterpart he has spelled out the advantages democracy has brought, in flood relief and other areas of life, and stressed that people who had suffered greatly under dictatorship would not allow democracy to be subverted again. The message, delivered on International Democracy Day, is an important one. Thkarze questions the president has raised are indeed fundamental to our success as a nation and our ability to move away from the troubles we have endured over the past few decades. We are well aware that the dictatorships imposed by military rulers have played a significant part in creating these.

The real issue is the combating of any new attempt to subvert the elected government. How this is to be achieved is a matter that needs some discussion. Brave words, such as those from Mr Zardari, are important but on their own may not be enough. An alliance needs to be built bringing together all the forces that stand for democracy and its values. It is absolutely essential that citizens be included in large numbers. Ultimately they need to act as soldiers who hold back autocratic forces.

The government needs to do more to ensure such a front is created as quickly as possible. There may not be that much time to lose. The president has again spoken of plots and conspiracies. The implications are then clear. To motivate people to act in favour of democracy we need organised unions of students, of workers and indeed of professional groups. These bodies need also to be involved in the process of decision-making, so that they can feel they are a part of the set-up and have the ability to push Parliament towards enacting pro-people laws. This is the only way to ward off the threat we face and ensure that the democracy gained after so many years of disruption is not lost.

Published in The Express Tribune September 17^th, 2010.