Daily Times

The general elections are due on July 25 this year. A question that has been doing the rounds in recent times is whether democracy suits Pakistan.

Under article 8 of the Indian Independence Act 1947, with some modifications, Government of India Act 1935 was adopted as the interim constitution of the country, and the first constituent assembly began its working for framing the constitution of the newly created country.

Quaid-e-Azam was the first president (now called speaker) of the assembly. However, the status of the country was dominion. The 1956 Constitution changed the country’s status of dominion to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. It was the first Constitution, which introduced procedures of elections for the central legislature or parliament.

Democracy took root in the Muslims of the subcontinent when the first election was held under British governance, and they were allowed a chance to elect their representatives. The minorities, including Sikhs and Christians were also to elect their representatives. After independence, when the Objectives Resolution was under debate in the constituent assembly, all the members, i.e. Muslims and non-Muslims put forward their views at length and without any fear. Finally, it was approved by the constituent assembly. However, later on, democracy had to face setbacks, which gave birth to an impression that democracy does not suit Pakistan.

Pakistan came into being on the basis of two-nation theory. It divided the dwellers of the subcontinent into Muslim-majority of Pakistan and Hindu-majority of India. The theory is based on the ideology of Islam, which supports to resolve the differences and problems through mutual consultation in the light of Islamic teachings. Thus, it may be deduced that Muslims are born democrats, though different from the western concept of democracy. It may further be deduced that the democratic system based on Islamic doctrines guarantees political development and prosperity of the Muslims and the minorities.

The aristocratic rule, undemocratic kingship and periodic prevalence of the western democratic system in Muslim countries have given birth to the impression that the Islamic political system is void of the democratic feature.

The popular definition of democracy is “a government of the people, by the people and for the people”. The main centre of governance and the governed is a human being. Islam has emphasised on the personality (thinking and physical) building of a human being. The state is nothing without people. These people may run the business of the government in a good or bad manner. A person with a positive mind set will lead the country towards development, peace and prosperity, whereas a country headed by a pessimist may not see a similar, positive fate.

Unfortunately, the democratic process in Pakistan has faced several difficulties. The sudden death of the founder of the country, frequent changes of prime ministers in the early years of the country, delay in constitution making, imposition of martial laws, corruption, undemocratic character of tpolitical parties, non-implementation of the provisions of the constitution in letter and spirit, and the vested interests have made is impossible for democracy to prevail in true spirit.

Democracy provides an opportunity to run the country through consultation, which minimises the chances of making wrong or bad political decisions

It is a peculiar aspect of the political history of our country that it has experienced several systems of governance. It started with governor general and the prime minister. Then the office of governor general was changed into the office of the president whereas the office of the prime minister continued until 1958 when the 1956 constitution was abrogated. Simultaneously, the prime minister was selected/elected sometimes undemocratically. In 1958, the country experienced its first martial law. Basic Democracy Order 1959 was introduced in the country, which introduced 80,000 members of the basic democracy. General Muhammad Ayub Khan made these basic democrats into an electoral college for his election as the president of the country. Thus, an indirect method of election was born. When General Ayub decided to quit power, he handed over rule to General Yahya Khan.

The next general elections were held in 1970. In 1971, the country was dismembered, and its eastern province emerged as an independent country of Bangladesh. General Yahya resigned, and Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto became the president of the country under the interim constitution 1972.

On 14 August 1973, a new constitution was unanimously passed and was enforced in the country. Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto assumed the office of the prime minister. His period lasted for about five years when general Zia ul Haq imposed martial law. An amendment was made to the 1973 constitution and article 58 (2) (b) was added under which the president could dismiss the cabinet and the assembly in certain situations. It caused the dissolution of four national assemblies from 1988 to 1999. In 1999, the prime minister was deposed, and General Pervez Musharraf took over the rule under the title of chief executive. Later on, he became the president of the country.

Democracy, if implemented in its true spirit, guarantees political, economic and social development, and peace and prosperity of the country. It provides an opportunity to run the nation and country through consultation. It minimises the chances of making wrong or bad political decisions. Consequently, democratic and political institutions get new power, which strengthens the democratic norms and traditions in the country.

The writer is an author and has a doctorate in Political Science

Published in Daily Times, June 7^th 2018.