Daily Times

Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif said the other day that he was still committed to the Charter of Democracy (CoD), whereas it is dead since long. It was a ‘marriage of convenience’ or at best ‘unity in adversity’, as both leaders had the ambition to again become prime minister. There was a perception that they would take on each other once they realised that free and fair elections would be held, which turned out to be a reality. In the countries where genuine democracy is functioning, democracy has not come with charters but it lives in the blood and flesh, in the hearts and minds of their leaders, members and workers. At the time of sit-in by Imran Khan’s PTI in 2014, Prime Minister had convened the joint session of the Parliament where the PPP had given the moral support to PML-N government.

The CoD was signed in May 2006 by Nawaz Sharif and the-then PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto for restoration and strengthening of democracy. Both leaders had claimed that the document was a milestone in the struggle for real democracy in Pakistan, and that the Charter would stop the military from overthrowing an elected civilian government. Anyhow, the Charter of Democracy proved as charter of hypocrisy, as leaders of both parties betrayed each other. In any case, there was no need to redefine civil-military relationship because the 1973 constitution encompasses the provisions defining contours of rights, duties and obligations of all the institution. And the military is already under civilian control. Of course, when the government does not deliver, and shows its helplessness in dealing with monster of terrorism or fails in controlling law and order situation, it gives space to military.

In fact, there was nothing new in the Charter nor was there anything particular except one thing that the constitution should be amended to remove the article disallowing them to be prime minister for more than two terms. Therefore, Pakistanis back home were not moved by their demands, as they were more interested to know if the two leaders had any plans for their welfare, which they had failed to do during their two stints as prime ministers. The people were disappointed when they had failed in addressing the problems and hardships faced by them. During 1988 to 1999, both leaders twice came into power and both also failed to sustain and promote democracy in the country. They had done nothing to ameliorate the lot of common man. Both had accused each other of corruption and filed cases against each other.

For almost seven decades, the people are enmeshed in their own serious economic problems to spare time for gimmicks of political leaders.Today, economic disparity, socio-economic injustice, internecine conflicts between politicians, rampant corruption, rising crime rate, energy crisis and ineffective criminal justice system especially in lower courts are the challenges facing the nation. For six and a half decades, majority of the people are living in the gloom of stalking poverty, squalor, want and deprivation. But they are neither in focus of the ruling elite nor by the anchorpersons, analysts and intellectuals who, more often than not, highlight the elites’ grouses rather than highlighting the grievances of the downtrodden. One would hardly listen to the discussion on finding ways and means to improve the lives of teeming millions living in abject poverty.

In fact, there is a lot of deceit and deception in politics especially in Pakistan; and despite signing the Charter of Democracy (CoD), both the PPP and the PML-N leaderships had been shifting poles, changing positions and backing out of the promises and agreements. General Democratic Alliance was formed against the PML-N government; but after the government was overthrown by General Pervez Musharraf, Nawabzada Nasrullah wished to make PML-N part of the alliance, which was resisted by the PTI. And Alliance for Restoration of Democracy (ARD) was formed. PML-N wanted MMA in the ARD, which was opposed by the PPP on the grounds that the MMA had played a pivotal role in passage of 17th amendment. PML-N had then formed All Pakistan Democratic Movement (APDM) on the ruins of the ARD. Later, when the APDM decided to boycott the elections, Nawaz Sharif ditched the APDM and participated in general elections.

On the other hand, Late Benazir Bhutto entered into an agreement with the then president Pervez Musharraf, and National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) was issued to facilitate her return. She was assassinated at Liaquat National Park Rawalpindi by unknown assailant on 27th December 2007. PPP came into power after winning 2008 elections due to sympathy vote. PML-N formed government after winning 2013 elections with thumping majority, but lived in fear that democracy may be derailed by the praetorians. But they should understand that not the tanks, the guns, the fighter planes or naval ships protect, safeguard and preserve the elected governments and the houses of legislature. This protective shield comes to them from the people’s power. Of course, this power comes to them only when they stay relevant to the people’s lives. It appears that none of the political parties has given a serious thought to this aspect.

What matters to the voters are the political parties’ plans for their welfare, as people of Pakistan want a change in the system; they want a better deal. Of course, there are alliances and coalition governments in many countries, but political parties in those countries tend to agree on a minimum programme, because they have their own manifestos. In Germany Christian Democratic Party and Socialist Democratic Party were ideologically poles apart, but had to form a coalition due to lack of numbers. In India, National Democratic Alliance was formed whereby Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) had a marriage of convenience with other parties, and the parties had compromised on Article 370 with regard to special status to Kashmir and Assam because the BJP and the Congress had difference of opinion on this article. In Pakistan, alliances are mostly formed to get rid of elected governments.

The writer is a freelance columnist. He can be reached at mjamil1938@hotmail.com