Is Democracy Suitable for Pakistan

[Mudasir Rasool]

Is Democracy Suitable for Pakistan

Ever since emergence of Pakistan on map of world, there has been one question of tremendous debate, ‘Which form of govt. is to be ruled in Pakistan?’ Constitution of Pakistan was approved with unanimous consensus of all political parties of Pakistan. But it was changed and abrogated by political parties and dictators in order to save country from so called imminent collapse.

Aristotle in his treatise ‘Nichomachean Ethics’ gave idea about how to govern a state and he said that most prominent form of govt. is ‘Monachy’ in which a king handled all matters of a state. But then he warned that there is a small difference between ‘Monarchy and tyranny’. So, democracy which is most suitable with environment of western countries is suitable for Pakistan.

In democracy people have authority to select their representatives in order to represent their demands on national level. But for this purpose people must have enough political and social awareness to select suitable representatives. But environment like Pakistan where majority of people even can’t read and write their name, then how can they understand true nature of their representatives and their consequences in future.

In Pakistan people often select their representative due to their family relations or they sometimes impressed from personality of candidates. But sometimes they are enforced to contest their vote to respective party from thugs of that party. So, in all process real purpose of this voting system is not present and people even don’t know motto of political parties and their future plans for country and people.


In Pakistan there are four political parties which have lion’s share in percentage of votes in political system of Pakistan. But if we see true picture of these parties, then it is very alarming. ‘Pakistan tehreeke Insaf’ is emerged as political party of military ally and ‘Pakistan People’s party’ is emerged as result of NRO. On the other hand religious parties whom main agenda is to establish Islamic System in Pakistan, but they can’t remain true with their agenda. Because they have to make alliance with those parties which agenda contradict with their agenda. So, political parties cheat people on their own agenda in order to get more seats on national and provincial level.

‘Imam Khumeni’ who is revolutionary leader of Iran in his book ‘Hakumate Islami: Wilayat Al-Faqeh’ presented a new form of govt. which is ‘Theocracy’. In ‘Theocratic form of govt.’ all powers are in hand of clergyman. For example in Iran all powers are in hand of ‘Irani Supreme leader’ and he has authority to appoint ‘Commanders of Armed forces, judges of supreme and he can reject any legislation approved by consensus of parliament.’

But having such huge powers in hands of one clergyman has possibility of discrimination among people of different religion, caste and color. ‘Molana Modudi’ founder of ‘ Jamat-e-Islami’ presented his view of form of govt. which is mixture of ‘Theocracy and democracy’ which is according to true picture of Islam. But they can’t get favorable support from people, because people of Pakistan usually don’t like strict Islamic rules.

According to my opinion in Pakistan one form of govt. can get favorable result which is ‘Technocratic form of govt’. ‘In Technocratic form of govt.’ all technocrats are elected through consensus of military and judiciary, whom must have knowledge about respective field. Parliamentarians are selected through direct election from people. So, with ‘Technocracy’ we can adjust suitable man at suitable place. Parliamentarians have to make laws for people and technocrats oversee them and pass them with majority.

In this way with ‘Technocratic form of govt.’destiny of people is no more in the hands of so called parliamentarians and we direct our country in the right way. So, it is not necessary that we have to establish democracy by hook or crook, but we have to go for another form of govt. like ‘Technocracy’ which is more suitable for our people and our country Pakistan. May Allah help us to build our country a prosperous and develop country and help us to choose true form of govt. which is according to wishes of people. (Amin)

[kingfalcon]

There should be no doubts that democracy is the best system for any country. Question is, have you seen real democracy in Pakistan? I don't think so. Democracy is a culture, a mindset, a way of life not just voting and elections. Pakistan is a developing country and similarly her society is also developing so is her democracy. You have to let it work and it will improve with time.

[Tariqab]

Originally Posted by kingfalcon

There should be no doubts that democracy is the best system for any country. Question is, have you seen real democracy in Pakistan? I don't think so. Democracy is a culture, a mindset, a way of life not just voting and elections. Pakistan is a developing country and similarly her society is also developing so is her democracy. You have to let it work and it will improve with time.

It won't improve automatically. The solution lies behind educating the masses and making them understand how important their vote is. Obviously, those in power, never, would like the masses to be educated; else they would be out of the business. Our budget on education is a testament to this fact.
In china every public representative has to undertake a certain training before assuming the charge of a certain assignment. The training is a prerequisite to the assignment. Pakistan has had some technocrats during military regimes. Shaukat Aziz is one of them. He was an excellent economist.
I would still prefer democracy over any other form of government provided some drastic measures are taken; and education tops the list.