World Democracy Day - Political leadership is determined to foster democracy in Pakistan to its core
Pakistans democratic system has fluctuated between civilian military governments at various times.
(WebDesk/DunyaNews) - In 2007 the United Nations General Assembly declared 15 September as the International Day of Democracy—with the purpose of promoting and upholding the principles of democracy—and invited all member states and organizations to commemorate the day in an appropriate manner that contributes to raising public awareness.
The ultimate goal of democracy is to preserve and promote the dignity and fundamental rights of the individual, achieve social cohesion and justice, foster economic and social development to ensure social stability and well-being.
International day of Democracy is also being observed in Pakistan. Pakistan constitutionally is a democratic parliamentary republic with its political system based on an elected form of governance. However, in past history there have been deviations from democracy in the form of military coups and political uncertainty.
The roots of democracy are considered strengthening in Pakistan with a peaceful handing and taking over of the rule and power for three consecutive times in a decade. Photo: File
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The roots of democracy are considered strengthening in Pakistan with a peaceful handing and taking over of the rule and power for three consecutive times in a decade.
Despite political leadership in Pakistan is still quite concerned with the threats loomed over the flourish and nurture of democracy in Pakistan in its full means and essence to ensure the rule of people by the people.
Former President of Pakistan and co chairman Asif Ali Zardari in his message said that all institutions must remain in their constitutional limits. With the passage of time, the perils hovering over the democracy are changing as well. Instead of the attack of dictators on democracy, it got more fragile against the extremists.
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Opposition leader in Senate Raja Zafarul Haq has a view point that still democracy has a long way to cover in Pakistan. Political forces are required to strengthen and ensure the supremacy of Parliament above all institutions which is still quite a challenge in third world countries. It is being said that Democracy is nurtured. However, people are still deprived of their basic rights to live.
Peoples Party leader Qamar Zaman Kaira said that the intensification of democracy is conditioned with democratic attitudes of individuals. Presence of parliament alone cannot guarantee the rule of people to its core. It is always the attitudes and perspectives that are required to be molded in a society in accordance with the demands of democracy. Institutions play their part in strengthening the roots of democracy.
Since its independence, Pakistan’s democratic system has fluctuated between civilian and military governments at various times throughout its political history, mainly due to political instability, civil-military conflicts, political corruption and periodic coup attempts by the military establishment against weak civilian governments, resulting in the enforcement of martial law across the country.
Also Read: The Democratically Elected and the Military Presidents of Pakistan
After every elected government, Pakistan has seen military establishment interference led by chief martial law administrator-generals Ayub Khan, Yahya Khan, Zia-ul Haq and Pervez Musharraf respectively. Escalations of the steaming tensions between civil and military leadership stir the political horizon on and off.
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Former government of PMLN was quite critical about the role and interference of military establishment in the political discourse and affairs of the country. The leadership blames few of the elements of the military establishment for the decline and debacle surrounding them. They have a narrative that they are being victimized covertly.
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To keep Pakistan on the routes of democracy, political leaders in Pakistan had worked tirelessly and still are hopeful and determined that the sacrifices made by the political workers and leaders would not go vain in further fostering the democracy in Pakistan.
Report by Shakir Solangi from Islamabad
Translated and edited by Mehreen Fatima
