Failure of Turkish Military Coup,
A hope for democracy in Pakistan
Outlines:
1. Introduction
2. Turkish coup attempt 2016
3. Background of coup
4. Martial laws in Pakistan
5. Similarities between Pakistan and Turkey:
Islamic countries
Frequent Martial laws
Economically weak
6. Failure of Turkish coup, a hope for Democracy in Pakistan:
Awareness among masses
A nation can do what it likes to do when it stands up
Gave a hope to democracy in Pakistan
7. Consequences of Coup:
Weak political system
Chaos in country/society
Suspension/abrogation of constitution


8. Suggestions:
Implementation of constitution in letter and spirit
Military and civilians should work in their domains
Role of media
Politics of meritocracy
9. Conclusion



Nations take time to achieve stability. The developed countries have taken centuries to reach where they are presently. They are, today, economically sound, politically role models and socially progressive. Military coups are attempted in the developing countries where economic, political and social institutions are weak. Turkey is no exception to that. Frequent martial laws in Turkey have weakened the country. Last July, a faction of military attempted to take over but the Turkish nation stood up in the way of plotters and deadly failed the coup attempt. This failed military coup provided oxygen to the struggling democracy in Pakistan.

A group of rebel Turkish army officers attempted a failed coup d’état. That cabal of army initially blocked the Fateh Sultan and the Bosphorus bridges. These are two important bridges which connect the Asian and the European part of Turkey. It was considered to be a security measure after the attack of French City, Nice. Soon after the blocking of these bridges, they captured the building of the Turkish state television (TRT) and blocked access to the social media. These rebel army officers forced the newscaster to read a written statement which read:
“Martial law has been imposed because the Erdogan government had been abusing human rights, drifted towards dictatorship and eroded Kemalist-Secularism”.

Moreover, the statement read:
“Fundamental rights enshrined in the constitution would be respected and foreign relations would be conducted with the international community”.

As soon as this news broke out, everyone was shocked at this unexpected development. In the beginning, neither Erdogan nor any of his Cabinet members was available who could deny or updates the media. So, at the start it was assumed that the coup might have succeeded. President Erdogan was in Marwaris, a resort in Istanbul. Even then Chief of General Staff Hulusi Akar was detained. He was forced to sign “martial law declaration” papers but he refused to do so. The rebel soldiers came to the streets of Ankara while carrying heavy ammunition. They helicopters and fighter jets flew over the capital city.

In the midst of chaos, Erdogan emerged. He held press conference through his cell phone and talked to private media. He appealed to the nation:
“to come out to the streets and save the democracy”.
In response to his appeal, the people started coming out of their homes. The people chanted the pro-democracy slogans and sang the national anthem. Within no time, the streets of Ankara and the Taksim square flooded with the pro-democracy people who wanted to save democracy.

The people came in the way of coup-makers. Turkish nation confronted them and freed government installation like state television building, Ankara airport, etc. Even international media showed the youth came in the way of tanks and compelled the soldiers to surrender. The Turkish police played an important role along with the nation. The people stopped the rebels while the police arrested them. In this way, the coup attempt was successfully suppressed. In fact, it was a joint effort by the incumbent government and the Turkish nation.

Ever since the abolition of Ottoman Empire by Mustafa Kamal Atta Turk, the military attempted several coups. Few of them succeeded while the others failed like that of last July, 2016. It is the last failed attempted coup.
The situation in our country about the martial laws is no different. First martial law was imposed by the President Iskander Mirza on October 7, 1958. Iskander Mirza appointed General Ayub Khan Chief Martial law administrator. However, general Ayub deposed Iskander Mirza on October 27, 1958, just after twenty days. That was the beginning of coup d’état in Pakistan.

Our country was ruled almost half of time by the military dictators. They created bundles of problems for the country just to achieve their vested interests and to sustain their rule. Ayub Khan’s rule paved the way for the successive dictators to grab power by force and to hold it till the dictator wished or he is forced to retreat. Ayub Khan ruled for 11 years from 1858 to 1969.

Ayub Khan handed over power to General Yahya Khan. During his rule, the country suffered the loss of its eastern wing which became Bangladesh. He ruled till the fall of East Pakistan in 1971.

After Yahya Khan, Zulifkar Bhutto took over. This was the first time an elected government ruled the country. His government remained in power until 1979. NAP (National Awami Party) held protests throughout the country over the allegations of electoral riggings. When the negotiations failed between NAP the government, the situation became worse throughout the country. According to Hamid Khan’s book “political and constitutional development in Pakistan” that:
“in the end, Bhutto agreed to dissolve the national as well as the provincial assemblies and to hold elections”.

General Zia did not hesitate to follow the footsteps of his predecessors and imposed martial law. His draconian rule continued from 1979 to 1988 when he died in an air crash on August 17, 1988.

After his death, democracy returned to the country, though the political instability persisted. One government changed after the other. Except Z.A. Bhutto’s first tenure, no popularly elected government completed its tenure. In 1999, General Musharaf, the last dictator of our country, overthrew the government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who had had two-third majority in the parliament at that time. Therefore, our country’s chequered history went through ups and downs like that of Turkey. However, after Musharaf, the PPP government completed its tenure in 2013. It had successfully paved the way for the smooth transition of power.

Turkey and Pakistan are two Muslim majority countries. Both the countries witnessed the military coups every now and then. They are economically weak and politically instable, although the Turkish economy has improved during AKP (Justice and Development Party) rule. Turkey has possibly shut down the doors for future dictatorships. Turkish nation has set a precedent for the struggling democracies that nations of any state may rescue the democracies. In fact, it has authenticated Abraham Lincoln’s definition of state:
“Government of the people,
by the people, for the people”.

It gave a hope for the thriving democracy in Pakistan that whenever there is any attempt of coup d’état, it may be foiled by the nation. It has reassured the nation of their power. Once the people are in action, no dictator can stand in their way. World history is replete with such examples. When Black-American Rosa Parks refused to leave seat for white American, this ensued confrontation between black and white community. Martin Luther King Jr. led the civil rights movement and mobilized the black community in Alabama, USA. It compelled then US president Johnson to accept the legitimate demands of Black-community so the “Civil Rights Act” was signed. In recent past, when Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudry and other judges were removed twice by the dictator. The lawyers-led movement became a formidable force for the restoration of judiciary. Therefore, no ruler can withstand if the nation stands up for their rights.

Countries which witness frequent martial laws are mostly politically instable, economically weak and socially fragile. This is due to the suspension or abrogation of the constitution. Once constitution is violated, it sets the president for future as well. Constitution creates order while its violation creates anarchy. In case of the last option, the country and the people have to pay the ultimate cost. The dictators rule with impunity with the absence of mechanism of checks and balances.

For the success of democracy, collective efforts are needed. Like in Turkey, there were combined efforts for the suppression of coup by the Turkish nation and the government. Turkish opposition also behaved maturely. Despite serious reservations with the president Erdogan, they defended the democracy. Besides, constitution is the supreme law of the land. It should be implemented in letter and spirit. No one should be allowed to suspend the constitution. Article 6 of the Constitution of Pakistan 1973 states that:
“Anyone who abrogates or suspends the constitution is guilty of high treason including the abettors”.

The constitution violators should be dealt strictly. Civilians and the military should work within their domains as prescribed by the constitution. Media is considered the fourth pillar of the state. It has a greater role to play for the success of democracy and the awareness of the masses. In Turkey, it was media which spread the message and appeal of Erdogan and the nation came out to the streets. Besides, politics of meritocracy should be encouraged. Dynastic politics which is presently in practice in our country should be discouraged with wholehearted efforts. The politicians should not indulge in malpractices or behave like dictators. After the emergence of Panama and Bahamas leaks, the incumbent government is reluctant to form a judicial commission to probe the involvement of higher-ups of our country. This encourages the military to interfere in political domains and also resentment among the masses. It gives the impression that laws are different for the rulers and the ruled.

In the end, Turkish suppression of Coup d’état gave a hope to the struggling democracies particularly in Pakistan. It strengthened the thriving democracies that in the modern era the doors for martial law have been shut down. Furthermore, it reminded people of their power that they may rescue the democracy whenever it is threatened. Democracy is famous and successful political system where will of the majority is accepted with the principles of freedom and equality. For political stability, economic boost and social progress, a strong democracy is need of hour. As it is famously said:
“The worst democracy is better than dictatorship”.
Therefore, collective efforts of nation, politicians, media judiciary, etc. are needed in this regard.

please assess and give your point of view.

I can use this essay as a reference to my next essay. Thank you for the post.