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Political Instability in Pakistan: Issues, Challenges, and Way forward

The following article is written by Anam Saba , a student of Sir Syed Kazim Ali . Moreover, the article is written on the same pattern, taught by Sir Kazim to his students, scoring the highest marks in compulsory subjects for years. Therefore, to help thousands of CSS and PMS aspirants, we have uploaded this article so they can understand how to crack a topic or a question, how to write relevantly, what coherence is, and how to include and connect ideas, opinions, and suggestions to score the maximum.

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  Nothing hurts the world socially, economically, politically, and technologically the way political instability does. It not only hinders economic progress but also distorts the social fabric of a nation. Political stability is indispensable for the prosperity of a nation. Progressive political reforms ensure stability, peace and a thriving human culture. Political stability is the backbone of a nation. It is a fact that the reason for a country’s progress is not its economy; however, it is the political leadership that makes a country prosper and succeed. In the present world, only those countries lag socially, politically and economically, which neglects the importance of prudent political leadership. As a matter of fact, unlike many other developing countries, the economic growth in Pakistan has remained stagnant. Despite having the world’s best canal system, profitable geo-strategic location, and a lot of unexplored natural resources, the leadership has failed to deliver. Pakistan has experienced rising poverty and a shrinking economy for various political leadership reasons, such as fragmented leadership, inefficient political parties, and dysfunction of the federal system. Consequently, the country has faced multiple challenges of a lingering economy, lowering foreign direct investment, and rising inflation. Through the collaborated efforts of government, opposition, public parts and political will, soon Pakistan will surely make its way to the heights of development and prosperity.

“There is no stability without solidarity and no solidarity without stability.”

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  Currently,  the politicians are more interested in blame games, with the opposition, instead of introducing some unique and good strategies to improve the governance structure in Pakistan. Shortly, the power lust of politicians overpowered the country’s national interest. Nonetheless, collaborated efforts on government, opposition, and public parts are imperative to root out all undemocratic traits to make the country’s political culture consensual.

Table of Contents

There are many factors calling forth the political instability in Pakistan, but some prominent causes are given here.

First,  national disintegration is the fundamental one in this regard. In Pakistan, a multi-ethnic society, political instability is more severe due to people of diverse cultural attributes. Additionally, being a part of a multi-ethnic society, all sections of society do not get their due shares and are unsatisfied and powerless, lose their trust in institutions, and they prefer their interests in front of the state, and ultimately society leads to a split.

Second,  political instability in the context of the identity and legitimacy crisis in Pakistan has escalated mainly due to the effects of increasing socio-political mobilization and the extravagant and disorganized role of civil and military bureaucracy, which has prejudiced the whole political order of the country. Moreover, due to the splitting of the institutions of leadership into the levels of ethnic, religious, and provincial, the legitimacy and identity crisis started and, by the passage of time, gained momentum, and the theme of national leadership was lost in these various leadership levels. Consequently, the fragmentation in the administration gave birth to the crisis of identity and legitimacy and aggravated it daily.

Third,  the inefficient role and weak political organization of political parties in Pakistan are also major contributing factors to the political instability in the country. Moreover, this vulnerable organization and inefficiency of the political parties pave the way for a coalition of governments. Thus, each government exerts their whole energy to maintain the coalition setup and remains under continuous pressure from its partners. In this way, it affects policy-making in both internal and external arenas and hinders the successful implementation of domestic and foreign policy, which requires strong support from people. Resultantly, the inefficiency of political parties does not provide a platform; instead, they split and exploit public opinion for their interest. Moreover, due to a lack of education, people do not have any clear choice among the same parties, and they cannot use their political rights; therefore, they do not depend on old parties and make a party of their own.

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Last but not least,  the dysfunction of the federal system is also a significant factor that worsened the political instability in the country. Moreover, due to faults in the maintenance of the federal system, the people of various cultures exerted to obtain a separate homeland where they could live according to their cultural norms and prosper.

“The murder of Pakistan’s first prime minister heralded the imminent derailment of the political process and the onset of a brutal political culture of assassinations, sustained by the state’s direct or indirect complicity.” Ayesha Jalal

Following are the major challenges, highlighting the severity of political instability in Pakistan.

It is a fact that political stability and economic growth are closely interlinked. On the one hand, political instability may decrease investment, ultimately slowing economic development. On the other hand, a financial crisis may lead to political unrest and government failure or downfall. In addition, political instability also discourages foreign direct investment because social unrest and political turmoil discourage investors, which decreases economic growth.

Moreover, political instability also flourishes corruption. It causes uncertainty in the country, weakens the institutions, and weak institutions are a crucial factor in enabling corruption due to low checks and balances on institutions. Moreover, if a country is politically unstable, the short-term decision-making increases the likelihood of corruption.

Furthermore, political instability is prevailing mistrust in society because it splits society on various grounds. Due to the dissatisfaction of all sections of society with the actions of governments, the situation of mistrust prevails and escalates daily. Consequently, personal interests overcome national interests, making the country more vulnerable to internal and external negative forces.

Last but not least, rising inflation and unemployment is also undesirable and detrimental to the country’s political instability, creating social unrest and uncertainty among the masses. This unrest may lead to violence against government policies. Likewise, the reduction in investments decreases economic growth. As a result, the weak government fulfils the demand for public expenditure through inflation taxes.

“My biggest challenge is how we can improve state institutions and governance, so we can tap our potential.” Imran Khan

Way forwards

The following  measures  may enhance political stability in Pakistan. To enhance the quality and stability of political system in Pakistan, quality education is a crucial factor that helps the effective implementation of the national policy on education by adequate provision of resources. Moreover, sincere and patriotic leadership is necessary to improve the political stability in the country because sincere leadership provides all basic requirements to their citizens. Furthermore, the state’s prosperity, stability, and economy are interlinked with the strength of the political system. So, a stable political system is a cure for all possible challenges that arise from political instability. In addition, the solution to political instability can be achieved by solving the institutions’ legitimacy and the ruler’s personal legitimacy. Lastly, building trust among provinces is also essential to overcome the instability issue in the country. In this regard, political parties should adopt a positive approach to the national interest.

Critical Analysis

To analyze critically, political instability has become a severe problem in developing countries, especially in Pakistan. It is disturbing the social fabric of the nation and delaying its development. Political instability hinders keeping society united and maintaining legitimacy within the state. The imposing tower of the issue, which today rests in the heart of Pakistan, has its sole foundation in the absence of a stable political system. In a nutshell, there is a dire need for solid determination and political will to strengthen the political system.

In a nutshell, the prevalent political instability issue in Pakistan has eroded the socio-economic fabric, leaving the country into social, political, and economic turmoil. It gives a death blow to Pakistan’s economy. Although the suggested measures cannot bring change overnight, the challenge must be accepted. Progress will likely be frustratingly slow, but these steps will ensure accelerated and visible improvement if appropriately executed.

“Pakistan’s future viability, stability and security lie in empowering its people and building political institutions. My goal is to prove that the fundamental battle for the hearts and minds of a generation can be accomplished only under democracy.” Benazir Bhutto

About The Author

Anam Saba is a student of Sir Syed Kazim Ali. . She is Pakistan’s youngest blogger, reviewer, and writer. She loves writing reviews, blogs, and articles on various topics: current affairs, technology, everyday science, history, clothing, and entertainment. Moreover, she writes honest reviews about different clothing brands. Due to her unique writing style, she has been followed by thousands of youngsters in Pakistan. Additionally, she helps competitive aspirants in their studies and exam preparation. Apart from this, she has been engaged in writing articles and blogs on various topics to help her readers always know the best.

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About the author

Anam Saba is a student of Sir Syed Kazim Ali.. She is Pakistan’s youngest blogger, reviewer, and writer. She loves writing reviews, blogs, and articles on various topics: current affairs, technology, everyday science, history, clothing, and entertainment. Moreover, she writes honest reviews about different clothing brands. Due to her unique writing style, she has been followed by thousands of youngsters in Pakistan. Additionally, she helps competitive aspirants in their studies and exam preparation. Apart from this, she has been engaged in writing articles and blogs on various topics to help her readers always know the best.

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essay on political instability in pakistan

Political instability refers to a situation in which the government of a country is unable to effectively govern and maintain control over its citizens and territory. This can be due to a variety of factors, including internal conflict, civil unrest, economic instability, and international pressures. Political instability can have serious consequences for a country, including economic decline, social upheaval, and security risks.

Historical Overview of Political Instability in Pakistan

Pakistan has a long history of political instability, dating back to its founding as an independent country in 1947. Throughout its history, Pakistan has experienced numerous periods of military rule, political unrest, and economic crisis, and has struggled to establish a stable and effective democratic system.

One of the main reasons for political instability in Pakistan has been the tension between the military and the civilian government. The military has intervened in politics several times, leading to periods of military rule, and has often been accused of interfering in the political process. Additionally, ethnic and religious tensions have also contributed to political instability in the country.

Causes of Political Instability in Pakistan

There are a number of factors that contribute to political instability in Pakistan, including:

• Weak Democratic Institutions: Despite being a democratic country, Pakistan’s democratic institutions are weak, and there has been a lack of political will to strengthen them. This has led to a lack of accountability and has contributed to political instability.
• Corruption: Corruption is a serious problem in Pakistan, and it undermines the rule of law, the public trust in government, and the stability of the political system.
• Tensions between the Military and Civilian Government: As mentioned earlier, tensions between the military and the civilian government have been a major source of political instability in Pakistan. The military has intervened in politics several times, leading to periods of military rule, and has often been accused of interfering in the political process.
• Ethnic and Religious Tensions: Pakistan is a culturally diverse country, and tensions between different ethnic and religious groups have been a major source of political instability. These tensions have led to conflict, civil unrest, and a breakdown of social order.
• Economic Instability: Economic instability can be a major contributing factor to political instability. In Pakistan, high levels of poverty, unemployment, and inflation have contributed to social unrest and have weakened the government’s ability to govern effectively.

Consequences of Political Instability in Pakistan

Political instability in Pakistan has serious consequences for the country and its citizens, including:

• Economic Decline: Political instability can undermine the economy , as investors become wary of investing in a country that is politically unstable. This can lead to economic decline, with negative effects on the standard of living for citizens.
• Social Unrest: Political instability can lead to social unrest, as citizens become disillusioned with the government and take to the streets to protest. This can lead to violence and conflict, with serious consequences for the safety and security of citizens.
• Security Risks: Political instability can also increase security risks, as the government may be unable to maintain law and order, and as extremist groups may take advantage of the situation to further their own goals.

Addressing Political Instability in Pakistan

To address political instability in Pakistan, it is important to address the underlying causes, including:

• Strengthening Democratic Institutions: This can be done by promoting transparency, accountability, and the rule of law, and by ensuring that democratic institutions are able to function effectively.
• Combating Corruption: Corruption undermines the stability of the political system, and it is important to take steps to combat corruption and ensure that those who engage in corrupt practices are held accountable. This can be done through the implementation of anti-corruption laws, the establishment of independent anti-corruption agencies, and by promoting transparency and accountability in government institutions.
• Addressing Tensions between the Military and Civilian Government: The military and civilian government must work together to establish a stable and effective democratic system. This can be done through the establishment of clear lines of authority and by ensuring that the military remains under civilian control.
• Promoting Ethnic and Religious Tolerance: To address ethnic and religious tensions in Pakistan, it is important to promote tolerance and understanding between different groups. This can be done through education and public awareness campaigns, and by ensuring that the government is responsive to the needs of all citizens, regardless of their ethnicity or religion.
• Addressing Economic Instability: To address economic instability in Pakistan, it is important to promote economic growth, reduce poverty, and create jobs. This can be done through investment in infrastructure and human capital, and by promoting a business-friendly environment that encourages private sector investment.

In conclusion, political instability in Pakistan is a complex and multi-faceted issue, and addressing it will require a comprehensive and integrated approach. By addressing the underlying causes, strengthening democratic institutions, promoting ethnic and religious tolerance, and addressing economic instability, Pakistan can work towards establishing a stable and effective democratic system, and a brighter future for its citizens.

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Crisis of Good Governance in Pakistan: Causes, Impacts, and Remedies

• Amna Shafique
• March 12, 2022
• CSS , CSS Essays , PMS , PMS Essays
• 38088 Views

CSS, PMS Solved Essays | Crisis of Good Governance in Pakistan: Causes, Impacts, and Remedies

The essay is attempted by Inspector Amna Shafique on the given pattern, which Sir Syed Kazim Ali  teaches to his students, who have consistently been qualifying their CSS, PMS essays. Sir Syed Kazim Ali has been Pakistan’s top English writing and CSS, PMS essay and precis coach with the highest success rate of his students. The essay is uploaded to help other competitive aspirants learn and practice essay writing techniques and patterns.

Introduction

The imposing tower of miseries resting on Pakistan’s heart has its soul foundation in the presence of a crisis of good governance. It has started robbing the national notion of socio-economic stability in the country. However, pragmatic steps, such as reforming institutional efficiency, upholding accountability and ensuring transparency, can curb the menace of bad governance in Pakistan.

What is a governance crisis in its real sense?  A glimpse of the Governance Crisis in Pakistan How has Pakistan been affected because of bad governance nowadays? Why does Pakistan face the Crisis of Good Governance?

• Non-participation of citizens
• The Weak rule of law
• Absence of a transparent system
• Retarded responsiveness of institutions
• Lack of equity and non-inclusive decision-making
• Poor institutional efficacy and inefficiency
• Lack of accountability
• Lack of consensus among institutions

In what obstacles Pakistan has stuck itself?  Political impacts

• Political instability 
• Political polarization

Economic Impacts

• Economic declivity 
• Unemployment and poverty

Social Impacts

• Societal degradation
• National disintegration

Psychological Impacts

• Promotion of anti-state elements
• Tarnished image of the country

What available tools are there for Pakistan to religiously fix the crisis of good governance? 

• To promote public-private partnership for effective administration
• To hold the culprits accountable by strengthening the transparency mechanism 
• To equip the youth with equitable opportunities 
• To uphold meritocracy in the recruitment process 
• To reform bureaucracy for a better functioning
• To bring consensus among the political leadership at provincial and federal levels 
• To revamp the criminal justice system
• To transform societal attitudes by effective use of media and technology
• To ensure access of the public to information

Critical Analysis Conclusion

The imposing tower of miseries resting on Pakistan’s heart has its soul foundation in the presence of a crisis of good governance. It has started robbing the national notion of socio-economic stability in the country. There is no doubt that good governance is the only tool through which Pakistan can settle all its monumental problems. However, the country has remained unable to sustain its political maturity and socio-economic development due to the prevailing crisis of good governance. Since independence, governance issues have been a part of the debate in Pakistan. The inefficient political leaders, multiple military interventions and delay in constitution-making have manifested poor governance in the country. The plight of governance in Pakistan is due to the non-participation of citizens, the weak rule of law, and the absence of a transparent system. In addition to them, retarded responsiveness of institutions, non-inclusive decision making and poor efficiency of institutions increase the woes of a governance crisis. It is certain that in the absence of good governance, the country cannot integrate into the international economy, and these conditions will lead it toward chaos and instability. Moreover, it cannot drive its people out of poverty; thus, social degradation and the promotion of anti-state elements is inevitable. Now, Pakistan is at a crossroads. It needs to reform its institutional structures by promoting public-private partnerships for effective administration. Furthermore, reforming bureaucracy for better functioning, ensuring accountability and revamping the criminal justice system would enable Pakistan to get its desired position among nations. The need for governance has been rightly remarked by  Benigno Aquino, “With proper governance, life will improve for all” . This essay throws light on the crisis of good governance, its socio-economic and political impacts, and the available tools to fix this crisis.

Governance simply implies the manner and actions governing an organization or a state. It finds its deep roots in the country’s administration, and so is the case in Pakistan. For the first time, the concept of governance was introduced in the late 1980s by United Nations to elaborate on the acute social problems in sub-Saharan Africa. For decades, governance issues have been a part of the debate in Pakistan, stressing their impact on the daily lives of the masses. Unfortunately, Pakistan has been unable to take practicable steps to solve its governance crisis; thus, weakening the socio-economic fabric and political institutions and destroying the precious future of its generations. In order to be seen through the prism of modern economies, Pakistan must ensure exemplary governance, as it is the key to stability and prosperity.  Etounge Manguella  remarked,  “Good governance implies the presence of the rule of law, safeguard of human rights, the existence of honest government, accountability, transparency, predictability and openness.”

Good governance has always been an important issue since the inception of Pakistan. It is evident that the country has always been affected by instability in the political system, both by the civilians and military regimes. Moreover, the delay in constitution-making has also aggravated the country’s governance system. Although Pakistan is rich in resources, its poor management has wreaked havoc on the persistent economic crisis. The quantum of good governance relies on the efficient working of state organs; however, in Pakistan, state institutions face a shortage of accountability, transparency, meritocracy and the weak rule of law. The country is not a collapsed one, but a governed state, lacking equity and non-inclusive decision making. Therefore, the crisis has resulted in political instability, economic declivity and societal degradation. Moreover, the country is dominant in a race of nukes but crawling on the belly in terms of human development. This has accelerated the poverty and unemployment rate. It has been seventy-four years since Pakistan came into being, but it cannot ensure sustainable growth because the Pakistani political leadership has not learned from their previous mistakes. Furthermore, some power-hunger politicians are trying to topple the elected government on the pretext of massive rigging in the 2018 Elections. Until this political thinking prevails, Pakistan cannot materialize its dream of good governance. As  Quaid I Azam  stated,

“If we want to make this great State of Pakistan happy and prosperous, we should wholly and solely concentrate on the wellbeing of the people and especially of the masses and the poor.”

Astonishingly, the governance crisis does not revolve around any one factor; it is ingrained in various structural factors. The policy to keep the majority aloof from administrative matters lies at the heart of this evil. 

Appallingly, it results in a reactive policy instead of a proactive one; the persistent natural gas crisis in winters every year stands evident to this docile policy. Furthermore, lack of transparency results in the exploitation of resources, which in turn is aided by the weak accountability system. According to the latest transparency index report ,  Pakistan ranks 124 among 180 nations, which means it does not do enough on the governance parameter. Besides this, the accountability institutions of Pakistan are unable to perform their duties as credible independent organizations. Dejectedly, they have become a tool of political victimization in the hands of governments; consequently, the incapacity of the institutions to enforce across the board accountability is adding fuel to the fire. As a fact, Pakistan has been entangled between the devil and the deep blue sea, making the country lag behind politically, socially and economically. Moreover, the gap between the masses and the ruling elite continues to widen, aggravating the governance crisis further into a trench.

In addition to the unaccountability across the board, the weak rule of law is a significant hurdle that exacerbates the crisis of good governance in Pakistan. As a result, meritocracy has merely become a dream, concentrating power only in a few hands. Furthermore, the absence of an uninterrupted local government system has also played its part in weakening the country’s governance structure. Similarly, the lack of coordination among institutions is a severe predicament to the prevailing crisis, as the house divided cannot stay long. Evidently, the meagre political system, uprooted on various occasions, has also been an obstacle to consensus building. Therefore, a sense of insecurity is depicted in the Politicians, trying to consolidate power only with their trustworthy people. However, this non-inclusive decision-making has become a double-edged sword; on the one hand, it makes ineffective decisions, and on the other, inefficient by adding to the lengthy procedural complications. Above all, the slow solution of complaints and inability to utilize the resources and opportunities at best have further aggravated Pakistan’s governance structures. The significance of timely decision making is correctly described by  Piyush   Goyal, “The speed of decision making is the essence of ensuring good governance”.  Thus, it is a fact that many factors contributed to making poor governance a daemon, severely impacting the political, economic and social wellbeing of the masses. 

Like every problem has some impacts, poor governance gives birth to political instability and socio-economic chaos. Instead of fulfilling its task and duties, the corrupt bureaucracy gets involved in political engineering and wreaks havoc on the governance system of Pakistan. Besides this, political polarization, another outcome of bad governance, divides the country into religious, ethnic and cultural domains. As a result, the sense of unity and feelings of nationalism disintegrates, which fuels the cultural provincialism in the country. It is evident in Pakistan that the facts and moral truths are losing weight due to political vote blocs. Furthermore, the opposition leaders leave no stone unturned to thwart the political policies and projects of the incumbent government; consequently, the leg-pulling attitude of the opposition cause hindrance and delay in political policy implementation. Thus the country fails to overcome this crisis and disintegrates due to political polarization. A.P Memon rightly says it 

“The unstable government, inefficient political parties and a weak political culture create a scenario of poor governance for a politically unstable state”.

Apart from political instability, economic declivity has grabbed its hold in Pakistan. It is a fact that economic growth is a driving force in reducing poverty. Still, the experience has shown that poor governance has significantly impaired the country’s economic progress. As a result, unemployment and poverty rates have increased with time. According to  the multidimensional poverty index (2016) , around 39% of the population lives in poverty. Thus, bad governance misallocates the resources; consequently, this resource inequality allows the elite to subvert the political regulatory and legal institutions for their gains and oppose institutional reforms against their vested interest. Therefore, these conditions give birth to inequality, and the state fails to provide employment opportunities and other basic services to its people. However, the poor governance of Pakistan has failed to implement economic policies to alleviate poverty.  M.H Mushtaq  has aptly remarked,  “Good governance drives economic development”.

In addition to Pakistan’s political and economic crisis, the deterioration of the social fabric has led to moral bankruptcy. Likewise, Pakistan’s society has, obviously, become a victim of moral degradation. The changing moral fabric and cultural norms of a country induced moral panic, moral transformation and status anxieties within the public. As a result, people violate laws, traffic rules, and other common violations that create distress. Moreover, the use of foul language is common among traffic wardens, health officers and everywhere. Thus the governance system has failed to implement strict punishments in the different sectors; consequently, social chaos has ridden the societal peace. Besides this, national integration is strongly dependent on good governance at the national level where all rights are equally respected without any linguistic, regional or cultural identities. Although Pakistan is multilingual, multicultural, multiethnic and multi-religious, the crisis of good governance has exacerbated the issues of national integration. 

Last but not least, the poor governance structure in Pakistan has given a constant mental dither to its masses. As a result, the anti-state elements create a disturbance and spread anarchy. Besides this, a negative image of Pakistan has been portrayed around the globe; consequently, the worth of the Green Passport has been lost and Pakistanis are perceived as unethical, unprincipled and corrupt individuals. Thus Pakistan has given scant attention to providing good governance not only in recent times but throughout its history. 

  Ibne Khaldun  said,  “Throughout history, many nations have suffered a physical defeat, but that has never marked the end of a Nation. But when a Nation has become the victim of a psychological defeat, then that marks the end of a Nation”.

 As every problem has a solution, there are specific ways to improve the governance structure in Pakistan. The first and foremost option is to promote Public-Private Partnerships for the effective administration of public institutions. Unfortunately, the country’s different sectors, such as the Pakistan steel mill Pakistan International airline, are responsible for aggravating the financial burden on the country’s economy. According to the Prime Minister, Imran Khan, the Pakistan steel mill is the largest loss-making unit that costs 17 billion rupees a year. Therefore, Public-Private Partnership is important to keep losses at a minimum level. Moreover, an unbiased accountability system is an indispensable tool to strengthen the governance mechanism and curb irregularities in the institutional processes. Although the National Accountability Bureau holds politicians accountable, it must uphold unbiased accountability towards all public institutions and their officials.  Quaid e Azam said, “With faith, discipline, and selfless devotion to duty, there is nothing worthwhile that you cannot achieve.” It is proved from the above saying of Quaid e Azam that a nation can achieve whatever it wants without involving any corruption.

In addition to accountability, another significant step is to equip the youth with an equitable opportunity in all sectors and uphold meritocracy in the recruitment process. According to the Trading Economics Global Macro Model, the unemployment rate in Pakistan would reach 5% by the end of 2021. Therefore, it is the need of the hour to abolish nepotism and uphold merit in the recruitment process. Moreover, the provision of equal opportunities would provide equal chances to all the applicants and encourage them to participate positively. Furthermore, the reforms in the bureaucracy would focus on capacity building and training programs, which will enable the civil servants to strengthen their capabilities to respond to the humanitarian crisis. Moreover, an inclusive approach of involving the people and the stakeholders in the decision-making by the field officers of the administrative services would result in the effective and efficient delivery of services.

Besides bureaucratic reforms, the consensus among the political leadership at provincial and federal levels and revamping the criminal justice system are essential elements for good governance. The consensus among politicians on different matters such as E-voting and free and fair elections can curb the political rigging; the present government’s focus on constitutional developments of provincial set-ups and the independent functioning of the election commission of Pakistan can improve governance. Besides political consensus, reconstructing the criminal justice system is the need of the hour; consequently, it would eradicate criminalization based on sex, gender and equality. The following quote of Quaid e Azam throws light on the importance of law and order. He stated,  “The first duty of a government is to maintain law and order so that the life, property and religious beliefs of its subjects are fully protected by the . Last but not least, a change in social attitude towards politics and free flow of information to the public would create awareness among the masses and arouse positive feelings towards politicians and administration. As the role of media has impacted the social, economic, and political aspects of a nation, advanced technology and updated information and its access to people would reduce the crisis of governance in Pakistan.

Pakistan needs bold steps to be taken to be placed in the list of countries with good governance, where it may gain respect and honour in the international community. However, since its inception, it is evident that it has not been on sustainable economic growth, social progress, and cultural development. The reason is that Pakistani political leadership has not learned from their previous mistakes. And, when formidable challenges have surrounded the country, some power-hunger politicians are trying to topple the elected government on the pretext of massive rigging in the 2018 Elections. However, it’s the government, and all the institutions of the state and the masses as well are responsible for such a deteriorated society of Pakistan. To conclude, governance impacts a country’s affairs socially, politically and economically.

In a nutshell, good governance in Pakistan would pave the way toward building morale and upright institutions. Thus, to resolve the governance crisis, there is a need to implement an actual model of democracy that can actually deliver services to its citizens. Moreover, the country cannot flourish until it has skilful leadership, strong accountability, the rule of law and meritocracy. However, national integration and social transformation are essentially needed to root out poor governance. Likewise, coordination among public and private sectors for the uplift of state institutions; and reforms in bureaucracy would promote good governance in the country. Unless the governance crises are not curbed, socio-economic growth and political instability are inevitable. According to  Jairam Ramesh, “There never is a good time for tough decisions. There will always be an election or something else. You have to pick courage and do it. Governance is about taking tough, even unpopular decisions”.

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Essay on “Democracy in Pakistan” for CSS, and PMS

• January 24, 2022
• Essay for CSS PMS and Judiciary Exam

This is an Essay on “Democracy in Pakistan” for CSS, PMS, and Judiciary Examinations. Democracy is a form of government in which the people have the authority to deliberate and decide legislation, or to choose governing officials to do so.” Democracy is a system of government in which power is vested in the people and exercised by them directly or through freely elected representatives. As Democracy is a very popular topic so, here is a complete Essay on “Democracy in Pakistan” for CSS, PMS, and judiciary examinations.

What is democracy? Essentials of democracy Democracy in Pakistan

A brief history

• The early period from 1947-58
• Period of General Ayub and General Zia
• Political turmoil and General Pervaiz Musharraf

Causes of failure of democracy in Pakistan

• Delayed Framing of the Constitution
• Leadership Crisis
• Lack of education
• No independence of the judiciary
• Weak political parties and their infighting
• Delayed elections and rigging
• Corruption and nepotism
• Quasi-Federalism and Conflict between Eastern and Western Wings
• Terrorism and extremism

Pakistani Democracy Vs. Western Democracy

Suggestions

• Effective accountability of the politicians
•  Reforming judiciary
• Abolish feudalism
• Eliminate corruption
• Two parties system on the pattern of the USA, UK
• Amendment in the constitution
• Fair and free election
• Increase the education budget to educate people
• Uninterrupted democratic process
• Strengthening the institutions

Essay on “Democracy in Pakistan” for CSS, PMS, and Judiciary Examinations

“You have to stand guard over the development and maintenance of Islamic democracy, Islamic social justice, and the equality of manhood in your own native soil.” -Muhammad Ali Jinnah,

To acquire immunity to eloquence is of the utmost importance to the citizens of a democracy. – Bertrand Russell

Democracy is a form of government in which all citizens have an equal say in the decisions that affect their lives. Ideally, this includes equal (and more or less direct) participation in the proposal, development, and passage of legislation into law. It can also encompass social, economic, and cultural conditions that enable the free and equal practice of political self-determination. While there is no specific, universally accepted definition of ‘democracy’, equality and freedom have both been identified as important characteristics of democracy since ancient times. These principles are reflected in all citizens being equal before the law and having equal access to legislative processes.

For example, in a representative democracy, every vote has equal weight, no unreasonable restrictions can apply to anyone seeking to become a representative, and the freedom of its citizens is secured by legitimized rights and liberties which are generally protected by a constitution.

Many people use the term “democracy” as shorthand for liberal democracy, which may include elements such as political pluralism; equality before the Jaw; the right to petition elected officials for redress of grievances; due process; civil liberties; human rights ; and elements of civil society outside the government. In the United States, separation of powers is often cited as a central attribute, but in other countries, such as the United Kingdom, the dominant principle is that of parliamentary sovereignty (though in practice judicial independence is generally maintained).

In other cases, “democracy” is used to mean direct democracy. Though the term “democracy” is typically used in the context of a political state, the principles are applicable to private organizations and other groups as well.

Democracy in Pakistan

Democracy in its true spirit has never been allowed to take root in Pakistan. Since its independence in 1947, a military-bureaucratic establishment has always governed the country. Army generals usurp power at their own convenience and quit only when they are forced to quit by mass political movements or by sudden unexpected death. When forced by external or internal pressures, democracy is given a chance but in reality, a group of army generals keeps controlling the decision-making.

This direct or indirect military influence is the greatest impediment to the evolution of a stable governing system in Pakistan. Besides, the army is not solely responsible for this mass but it is our inefficient politicians who provide an opportunity for to army to take over.

A brief history of Democracy in Pakistan

Recalling the last 62 years of Pakistan, democracy is found only as an interval before the next military general comes to the scene. The future of democracy was doomed from the start when Liaquat Ali Khan, the first elected Prime Minister, was shot at a public gathering. Nobody knows to this day who did it and why. From now on, the balance of power was to shift in the favor of the military. A comparison tells us how this shift came up. From 1951-57 India had one Prime Minister and several army chiefs while during the same period Pakistan had one army chief and several Prime ministers.

The same army chief, the Sandhurst-trained general, Ayub Khan was to announce the first martial law in the country in 1958 and then a series of military rules were to follow.

General Ayub Khan could not withstand a popular national movement against him and transferred power to General Yahya Khan in March 1969. Under him, Pakistan lost its half which is now Bangladesh. Power was then transferred to Zulfikar Ali Bhutto as the first civilian martial law administrator. Bhutto pursued an independent policy, which was against what generals and the US wanted, and he had to pay with his life.

Charged for compliance in murder, Bhutto was hanged by the next martial law administrator, General Zia ul Haq. The hanging of an elected Prime Minister was shocking news to the world and Pakistan was to have the effects years later. The general died in a mysterious plane crash.

Then came a ten years gap of experimentation with democracy and every two years each elected government was ousted by the special discretionary powers of the president . An end to this ten-year spell came with a new general coming to power ousting the incumbent elected government of Mian Nawaz Sharif. This time the Prime Minister was charged with conspiring against the state and was ousted from the country.

The immediate and foremost requirement of the Constituent Assembly was to frame a democratic constitution for the country. The constitution had to lay down the form of government, and the role of the judiciary, military, and bureaucracy. It had to decide the basic issues about provincial autonomy, religion and the state, the joint or separate electorate, representation of minorities and women in assemblies, fundamental rights, and civil liberties.

The debate over the representation of eastern and western wings of the country and religion versus secularism were the two main hindrances in the way of framing the constitution. As against India, which was able to frame the constitution of the country within two years of independence in 1949, Pakistan took nine years to finalize the constitution in 1956, which did not work for more than two years and was abrogated.

The second constitution was framed by a military ruler General Ayub in 1962 which could last as long as he was in power. Finally, it was after the separation of East Pakistan and a lapse of more than a quarter of a century (1947-1973) that the elected representatives of the people under the leadership of Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto framed a consensus constitution envisaging a  federal, democratic structure for the country and a parliamentary form of government.

This constitution has survived in spite of the breakdown of democracy twice in 1978 and 1999 and hopefully has come to stay. But the delay in framing the constitution harmed the growth of political democracy, as it allowed the authoritarian rule of the Governor-General to continue for seven long years (1947-56), which set this inglorious tradition in the country.

The second obstacle in the way of democracy is the culture of feudalism. Democracy cannot develop in the suffocating atmosphere of feudalism. The history of feudalism in the subcontinent is not very old. It owes its origin to the war of independence in 1857 when different people were awarded large swathes of land by the British government because of their treacherous cooperation with the latter. Those feudal families joined Muslim League when they saw that Pakistan was going to be a reality and inherited power after the death of the founding father. Feudalism has now become a severe migraine for the nation. Democracy and feudalism are incompatible.

Change of faces at the wheel has not served any purpose. Even these feudal lords occupy more than 70 % of our land leaving the people to lead a miserable life. They are senators, ministers, MPAs, MNAs, and also the owners of major industries in Pakistan. There is a crying need to bring some structural changes in order to strengthen the political system. Industrialization has also played a significant role in the strengthening of democracy across the world. Great Britain is considered the mother of democracies on this planet.

Some analysts are of the view that democracy has its origin in the Magna Carta, Bill of Rights and Habeas Corpus, etc. But even after these developments very mighty rulers have ruled Great Britain. In fact, the invention of the steam engine led to the industrial revolution which eradicated the roots of feudalism and the evil of absolute monarchy. All this resulted in the development of democracy. In Pakistan, there is everything from adult franchises to the separation of powers between the three organs of government but no plan for that kind of industrial revolution.

Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the father of the nation and the first Governor-General, died just one year after the establishment of Pakistan on September 11, 1948, and his right-hand lieutenant Liaquat Ali Khan, who was the first Prime Minister, was assassinated on October 16, 1951. About the capability of other leaders of the Pakistan Muslim League (PML), the party which had successfully piloted the movement for Pakistan, Jinnah had ruefully remarked that “he had false coins in his pocket”.

Consequently, several ministers appointed initially were not politicians and did not have a seat in the Assembly. Similarly, in 1954, there were several members of the Prime Minister’s cabinet without a seat in Parliament. “The cabinet and other high political appointments reflected a paucity of talent among the politicians.”

It is indeed a sad commentary on the elected members of the first Legislature and Constituent Assembly of Pakistan that they could not find a suitable head of state from among their own ranks. Most of them came from the civil bureaucracy or the military. The civil-military bureaucracy did not have a favorable opinion about the competence of political leaders and often took decisions without consulting them. This adversely affected their political training, development, and growth.

The inability to control the Anti-Ahmadiya Movement in Punjab in 1953 was blamed on inept political leadership. This religious movement was spearheaded by the religious Ahrar Party which had opposed the establishment of Pakistan and now wanted again to come into the limelight. They were supported by other religious parties, i.e., Jamaat-i-Islami, JamiatuiUlema-i-Pakistan, and JamiatulUlerna-i-Islam. The movement was exploited by politicians in their own political interests.

But the civil-military bureaucracy was against the religious parties dominating the power structure either in the provinces or the center. To rescue the city of Lahore where Ahmadis were in a “virtual state of siege” and their properties were being “burned or looted”, General Azam Khan, the Area Commander, was ordered by the Defense Secretary, to impose martial law in Lahore. It was met with the general approval of the people.

It was demonstrated that the civil-military bureaucracy “would not let politicians or religious ideologues lead the country to anarchy”. This also laid down the foundations of the supremacy of the military and orchestrated the initial rehearsal for the recurring imposition of Martial Law in the country and its acceptance by the people.

Lack of education has remained an important impediment to the democratization of countries. This is not just a problem for Pakistan but of the whole Third world. Laski, a famous political thinker said that education is the backbone of democracy. Democracy is a system of governance in which the people choose their representatives through elections. Their strength lies in the ballot box. If people are not vigilant and educated enough to make a better choice, democracy will not flourish in that country.

This is the main reason that even in the countries apparently practicing democracy but the majority of uneducated people are among the under-developed nations. Masses in Pakistan have not found ways of compelling their rulers to be mindful of their duty. Their failures in this regard result from insufficiency of experience and training in operating modem democratic politics. Democracy puts the highest premium on constitutionalism, which is possible only with the predominant majority of people. Pakistan’s democracy can neither improve nor become viable as long as the majority of the population remains uneducated.

Judiciary is one of the most important pillars of a state and in a country where the judiciary is not imparting justice , democracy cannot develop. During the Second World War, someone asked British Prime Minister Winston Churchill whether the British would win the war. The Prime Minister laughed and replied that if the British courts were dispensing justice, no one would trounce the United Kingdom. In Pakistan since 1954 judiciary has remained docile to the wishes of the executive. As Shelley says, “If the winter comes; can spring be far behind”.

In fact, since its birth, Pakistan has been governed by bureaucratic, military, and political elites. The bureaucratic elite generally became more assertive, steadily increasing their power at the expense of the political elite. Ayub’s term of office (1958-69) was the golden era for the bureaucracy, which exercised its powers, unbridled by any political interference. The weakness of political elites can be demonstrated by the fact that during seven years from 1951 to 1958, as many as seven Prime Ministers had been changed.

From 1988 to 1999, four democratically elected governments were replaced on charges of corruption, inefficiency, security risk, etc. The civil-military bureaucracy has dominated governance owing to the inherent weakness of the political parties and their incompetent leadership, resulting in the derailment of democracy thrice in the history of Pakistan, i.e., in 1958, 1977, and 1999.

Pakistan was not created as a theocracy but as a place where an economically marginalized minority could operate a democracy independently. It was to save the people from religious discrimination and domination by an overwhelming religious majority. Moreover, it emerged as a territorial state in the Muslim majority areas of the subcontinent. But the religious and secular groups soon started making conflicting demands while formulating the constitution of Pakistan.

The speech of Mr. Jinnah on August 11, 1947, addressed to the first legislative and constituent assembly of Pakistan, advocated political pluralism and declared that the “religion or caste or creed has nothing to do with the business of the State”. This has not adhered to the Objectives Resolution passed by the Constituent Assembly in 1949, which pacified the demands of Muslim religious parties and elements but was not supported by religious minorities.

The compromise solution attempted to balance the values and the spirit of Islam with the requirements of secularism. Due to a lack of competent and visionary political leadership , and the fact that Muslims constituted 98 percent of the population, the conservative religious leaders, partly due to their conviction and partly owing to their parochial interests, advocated and preached the establishment of a religiopolitical system based on Al-Quran and Sunnah.

They were skeptical of the politico-social development of modem times and western political institutions and forms of government. Their dogmatic theology clashed with the democratic culture envisioned by the founding fathers. Another adverse impact of the adoption of religion as a guiding principle in the constitution, was the promotion of religious sectarianism, especially between the two major sects inhabiting Pakistan, i.e., Sunnis and Shi’as. Some sections of these sects, instead of peaceful negotiations to overcome their differences, often resort to violence, which is against the spirit of both Islam and democracy. These rivalries fostered reliance on the security forces for the maintenance of law and order, which eroded the hold of democratic institutions in governance.

For any healthy constitutional and political system to function smoothly, strong and well-entrenched political parties are essential. Unfortunately, political parties in Pakistan have failed to develop into strong vehicles of national political will. The main responsibility for safeguarding democracy in a country falls on political parties. Pakistan, since its inception, was lacking well-organized and well-established political parties that could carry the representative system of governance forward.

The All-India Muslim League, which had piloted the movement of Pakistan from 1940 to 47, was not a well-organized political party, but it was primarily a movement. Leading a movement and organizing a political party are two different things. Most of its leaders belonged to areas that became part of the Indian Union and their majority did not come to Pakistan. Those who were in Pakistan, barring a few exceptions, belonged to feudal and landowning classes that in their nature were in conflict with the democratic dispensation. In fact “the leadership of the Pakistan movement had few roots in the land that became Pakistan.”

Their incompetence and constant wrangling for power in the initial nine years (1947-1956) were also responsible for the delay in constitution-making. Instead of cooperation and mutual accommodation, there was ceaseless infighting. For instance, as early as 1953, a clash between the leadership of Punjab and the central government led to intense communal riots and the imposition of Martial Law in Lahore, the provincial capital. Even as late as the decade 1988-99 of civil supremacy, the fight between the PML and the PPP led to the repeated dissolution of national and provincial assemblies and the dismissal of prime ministers and their cabinets. Finally, it ended with the military takeover in 1999.

The representative character of the civilian parliamentary government during the first decade of Pakistan’s existence was eroded because the country was governed under the Government of India Act of 1935. The purpose of the Act was “to make the appointed governor-general exert dominance over the elected prime minister.” The Act introduced a representative and centralized system of bureaucratic governance, which was an imperative requirement of the colonial government but not of democratic governance. The first general elections in the country should have been held in 1951, i.e., five years after the previous elections in 1946, but this could not happen till 1970.

The reasons for the delay were that the ruling elite, i.e., civil bureaucrats, migrant political leadership, and weak political parties, had few roots in the masses. As a consequence, general elections could not be held for 23 years (1947-1970) of the country’s initial history. On the expiry of the five years term of Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto (1972-1977), the second general elections on the basis of the adult franchise were held on March 7, 1977, which the PPP won with a vast majority.

The opposition parties alleged that the elections had been “rigged on a massive scale”. It has been commented: Elections in Pakistan had been rigged before, notably the presidential election in 1965 and the Provincial Assembly,y elections in the early 1950s, but rigging in these instances did not arouse the mass uprising as it did in 1977. The people of Pakistan were evidently not of the same mind now as they were in those earlier periods.

Corruption in bureaucracy and among political leaders poses a grave threat to good democratic governance. Quaid-i-Azam had termed corruption as “poison” and asked to put that down with an “iron hand”. Now that the international Reconciliation Ordinance, .vnich had withdrawn from prosecution any person “falsely involved for political reasons or through political victimization” between 1986 and 1999, has lapsed on November 28, 2009, the concerned individuals should get themselves cleared in a court of law in a transparent manner. The tribal nature of society in Pakistan is susceptible to nepotism. As an antidote, accountability and transparency are necessary. It is a challenge to the people to reject those leaders and political parties which indulge in corruption and nepotism.

One of the main bottlenecks in constitutional development in Pakistan was that its two wings were separated by about 1000 miles of hostile territory. The eastern wing consisted of one province but was more populous’ than the western wing which was much larger in the area and had as many as four provinces.

The western wing was not prepared to concede majority representation to the eastern wing in the parliament. After a confrontation of nine years between the two wings, the solution was evolved in the l956 constitution in the shape of parity of representation in a quasi-federal structure, neutralizing the majority of the eastern wing and paving the way for the manipulated domination of the western wing.

The domination of the western wing in governance led to an insurgency in the eastern wing which culminated in the separation and independence of Bangladesh in 1971. In post-1971 Pakistan, it came to be realized that ideological moorings alone could not easily overcome ethnic and economic differences. Yet the anti-ethnic attitude and anti-modem thinking prevalent in certain segments of society lean toward a unitary or quasi-federal state as against a true federation.

The latest threat is emanating from extremism and terrorism, especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) and the Federally Administered Tribal Area (FATA). This is the spillover effect of the conflict in Afghanistan and is spreading to Pakistan. It is likely to continue as long as there is no peace and stability in that country. However, the military enjoying the support of the nation is successfully combating the extremists and terrorists under the supremacy of the civilian democratic government. It is hoped that the process would continue to its logical conclusion.

Due to the migration of literate Hindus and Sikhs to India, the literacy rate in Pakistan sharply declined. There was about 95 percent illiteracy in Pakistan in 1947, which acted as a hindrance to the growth of civil and democratic society. Feudalism and economic constraint did not permit any Pakistani government to launch a “crash course to expand literacy and grow higher standards.

The national economy has gone bankrupt and the national budget has become all foreign aid-dependent. Islam was the ideology that gave life to the Pakistan movement and later Pakistan itself but is now infested with sectarianism. Military policies gifted the country with cross-border terrorism and three million internally displaced people. Despite having the largest chunk of the national budget and being the seventh-largest army in the world, the Pakistan army is now in a mess of its own creation with little of its hard-earned prestige left to its credit.

The distorted face of the national system as a whole and the failure of the judiciary to guard the constitution of Pakistan are the major factors contributing to the change in the national mindset. The events of the last two years have clearly shown the preference of the people of Pakistan. The masses want democracy as a political and governing system for the country and a judiciary that guard the rights of the people. The military would be respected more if it stays in the barracks or guarded the national borders. The murder of Benazir Bhutto has taught new lessons.

If one compares Pakistani democracy with Western democracy it is said that for over 50 years, Pakistan remains occupied by three major interest groups in the time, opportunities, and resources of the besieged nation. The army, civil service, and the neo-colonial appointed landlords. If there was any rational tolerance scale, the Pakistani nation would certainly secure high marks on its standard of tolerance and survival under most unfavorable circumstances.

One of the pivotal factors supporting the notion of Western liberal democracies is that it provides opportunities for participation to ordinary citizens, right or wrong to culminate a sense of legitimacy for the election exercise and chose people of their interest to manage public affairs for a specified term. But the principles and standards for evil and good vary between the West and the Islamic world . Strange as is, in Pakistan, those who come to occupy the political offices never intend to quit the political power on their own except implication of military force through a coup.

Comparatively, on occasions, western democracies do” encourage educated and competent citizens to strive for their high ideas and ideals and come to the front stage and demonstrate their intentions and will power to seek the goal of ideal public service agendas. E.H. Carr defines the teaching-learning role of history and its value must not be ignored but preserved. Recall the Pakistani military dictators for the last forty-plus years, they each consumed a decade or more to relinquish power, that was not theirs in any systematic and logical context. Ayub Khan was ousted by Yahya Khan.

General Yahya with the complacency of Z.A. Bhutto surrendered East Pakistan to India (now Bangladesh) to share power with Bhutto but was put under house arrest as Bhutto assumed the power that did not belong to him based on the verdict of the people. Rightfully, it was Sheikh MujiburRehman, leader of the East Pakistan Awami League who should have been sworn in as the new leader of united Pakistan but it was treacherously undone by Yahya and Bhutto.

Both should have been tried as traitors in a court of law and punished. Not so, they were rewarded and Bhutto became the first civilian martial law administrator and self-made president of defeated Pakistan in December 1971. Dr.Ishtiaq Qureshi, editor of the Urdu Digest recorded for the history (“Sukoot-e-Dacca seyPurdhautha Hay”- Facts are revealed after the Dacca Surrender) that “in the quest for its survival Pakistan lost its destiny. Yahya and Mujib stabbed the body of Pakistan with one dagger and Bhutto will stab Pakistan with another dagger.”

Suggestions for Democracy in Pakistan

Fo1lowing are the suggestions for improving democracy in Pakistan:

An impartial system of accountability enhances public trust in the political system. It provides enormous strength to the democratic process. Moreover, it compels thousand who are charged with governance, to transparently discharge their official responsibilities. It ensures good governance and strengthens the political setup. In spite of facing innumerable challenges and showing unsatisfactory performance, Pakistanis have the capability to emerge as a democratic and progressive nation. Pakistan can road to democracy with the dedication, determination, commitment, courage, and patriotism of its political leaders.

Reforming the judiciary and incorporating Islamic laws can also soothe the deprived and poor masses who have been manipulated by the extremists due to the sheer negligence of the elected governments and ruling elite. This natura11y causes bitterness toward the present form of political setup.

Moving on, corruption and selfish attitudes are eating away at the institutional structure of our country and such practices never allow democracy to flourish. There is also a need for mature political leadership, which can think above its own gains. All this can only emerge after the formulation and implementation of strict accountability.

On the contrary, weak public institutions can be made strong and productive if the power and authority seep down. The example of many European countries is in front of us, where institutions are powerful and not politicians. Democracy in actuality can only be achieved through such measures.

Our constitution has been a source of constant controversy. Be it the realization of Islamic laws or the concentration of power in the head of the state, the constitution has served as a tool for the legitimization of alien changes and policies. Keeping the constitution intact has been long overdue. No one in power should be allowed to change it for prolongation of rule or appeasing any particular section. The Pakistani movement envisaged a democratic country with a federal structure.

In all Constitutions of Pakistan (1956, 1962, and 1973) the objectives of governance, in the words of Dr. Ainslie T. Embree, Professor Emeritus of Columbia University, are democracy, freedom, equality, tolerance, and social justice as enunciated by Islam, giving Muslims freedom to live their lives in accordance with the teachings of Islam, but with minorities having full freedom to profess their own religions.

Islam lays emphasis on the concept of Shura, i.e., consultation among people, which is the essence of democratic culture. Quaid-i-Azam, the founder of Pakistan had stated:

“We leamed democracy 1300 years ago. Democracy is i11 our blood. It is ill our marrows. Dilly centuries of adverse circumstances have made the circulation of that blood cold. It has got frozen, and our arteries are not functioning. But thank God, the blood is circulating again, thanks to the Muslim League’s efforts. It will be a People’s government. Culturally, ill the region of Pakistan, there is a concept of Jirga or Panchayat, i.e., an assembly of elders, to settle issues and disputes involving two or more two persons. This system has, been prevalent for ages, much before the advent of Islam. Thus, both religion and age-old tradition advocate the concept of consultation in decision-making through all assembly of people, which is the essence of democracy.”

During the period of British supremacy in the subcontinent, the practice of elections to assemblies (local, provincial and central) was introduced through various enactments. Finally, it was the Government of India Act 1935 under which the dominions of India and Pakistan functioned after independence till they framed their own constitutions. These enactments provided the groundwork for democratic governance. It may be of interest to note that even when the democratic rule was suspended by the armed forces, the military rulers always came with the promise to restore democratic governance .

For instance, in 1970, General Yahya Khan is credited with organizing the first-ever general elections in the country, which led to the establishment of democratic governments both in Bangladesh and Pakistan. Besides holding general elections in 2002 and 2007, General Musharraf’s introduction of a local government system introduced in 2001 is considered a “laudable model of governance” because of its principle that whatever can be done at the local level should not be done at a higher tier of governance.

The country is on the path to achieving full literacy and progress towards a higher standard of education in important disciplines. This is strengthening the civil society in ensuring the prevalence of democratic culture at the lower and higher level of governance. Secondly, the print and electronic media in Pakistan are vibrant and independent. A responsible media educates the masses, raises political consciousness, and thus promotes democratic values, norms, and culture. In addition, a number of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are playing an active role in the field of education and contributing to the growth of a vibrant civil society and good governance.

The essential step seems to stop interruption in the democratic process so that we may see more than promos. To judge something, it has to be allowed a chance to survive and act. The elected government must be allowed to complete its tenure in any case. The military has to play a positive role here and not interfere in the smooth democratic process.

As mentioned before, a part of the population wants greater Islamic character in the Govt. and laws. If we analyze this demand, it will be apparent that the enforcement of Sharia is more related to lawmaking. Therefore, what is immediately required is a change in the judicial setup, which has been unable to gain the trust of people until recently. Encouraging steps have already started in this case, but much more needs to be done.

Sadly, the same corrupted pool of thought keeps appearing with new faces and the deceived masses blindly follow them. This is due to the absence of any kind of accountability. Political compromises enhance this trend. Such practices are against moral, democratic as well as Islamic principles and should end immediately.

Next, the all-powerful bureaucracy and feudal politicians should be stripped of their unwarranted authority. It has been a slow evil that has weakened the country like nothing else. They are elected for serving people not to control them. The criteria of merit; the right to freedom and equal progress for common people have become a joke due to such an autocratic setup.

The people of Pakistan in general lack political psyche and consciousness. This is largely due to poor literacy and a never-ending feudalistic rule over 60% of the country. Therefore, it is necessary to educate the masses and make them aware of their political rights. This can begin with greater political socialization by political parties and media.

In a democratic state, media has rightly been called the fourth pillar of the state. It can play a most important role in the present age for creating awareness. Our media has risen from the ashes like a phoenix. It, however, needs to play a positive constructive role and not become another compromised institution as well.

Finally, the strategic position and now the war against terror call forth unwanted attention from the international community sometimes. In the past, military rule has been covertly or openly supported by many countries to gain their own benefits in this region. The international powers must stop interfering in the democratic process and for that to happen, our own government, people and media need to be equally strong.

Politicians may have learned lessons from their past mistakes and are more mature politically. Consensus politics seem to be emerging in the country. In the past, the constant infighting amongst political parties had often led to interference and take-over by the armed forces.

Now a culture of reconciliation, accommodation, and dialogue is emerging. The ideological polarization is diminishing. After the general elections of February 2008, four major political parties, i.e., Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), PML – Nawaz (PML-N), Awami National Party (ANP), Jamiat-ulUlema-i-Islam – Fazalur Rahman (JUI-Fl and MuttahidaQaumi Movement (MQM) have joined hands to govern the country and re-establish the supremacy of the Parliament in accordance with the Constitution of 1973.

Our youth constitute 30% of the society they are representative of a new generation. Their participation may ensure structural improvements in the national paradigm. It has been witnessed that during the Pakistan movement youth played a vital role in opinion formation and mass awareness and so is the time now. There is a need to guide our youth to take responsibility for our tomorrow.

To sum up, it is the political leadership that can ensure the permanence of democratic governance. The prospects are, however, not as dismal as sometimes portrayed. Already, the literacy rate in Pakistan has increased to more than fifty-five percent. Efforts are afoot to improve the standard of higher education. Economic growth and industrialization have given birth to a vocal urban society and middle class, which is growing. and gradually lessening the influence of the feudal class.

The vibrant electronic and print media is playing an effective role in constructive criticism of the government and in educating the masses. Elections are being held regularly, representative political leadership and political parties are getting stronger and a peaceful mode of transfer of power is becoming the norm. The bureaucracy (both civil and military), though still powerful, may retreat gradually and submit to the people’s power and will and concede to democratic governance. The democratic process is progressing and, hopefully, will be obstructed and derailed, as in the past.

Expected question about this Essay:

• Why has democracy failed in Pakistan?
• What practical measures do you suggest for strengthening democracy in Pakistan?

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Political Instability Leads to Economic Downfall Essay

I. introduction.

Political instability refers to a state of uncertainty and unpredictability in the governance of a country. Frequent changes in leadership, power struggles, and a lack of effective government characterize it. Political instability can have a detrimental effect on a country’s economy, leading to a decline in investment, trade, and economic growth. It can also result in inflation, currency devaluation, poverty, and unemployment. Deterioration of the business environment and investment, the decline in trade and tourism, and the reduction of access to basic services and social welfare are also the results.

II. Historical Examples of Political Instability Leading to the Economic Downfall

Political instability is negatively impacting Pakistan’s economy right now. It is leading to a decline in economic growth, a drop in foreign investment, and a rise in inflation and unemployment. Since last year in April 2022, Pakistan is going through the worst political crisis which in turn brought an economic crisis. Inflation has reached 24% which is touching its skies. There are some other historical examples worldwide that are worth noting.

A . Venezuela

Venezuela has been plagued by political instability and economic turmoil for several years. The country has been in a state of political crisis since the late 1990s . This is marked by frequent changes in leadership and power struggles between the government and the opposition. This political instability has had a severe impact on the country’s economy. It has led to hyperinflation, currency devaluation, and a shortage of basic goods and services. The economic crisis has also resulted in a rise in poverty and unemployment. This has affected many people who are unable to access basic necessities such as food and medicine.

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The military coup and the subsequent violence, leading to the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people, has led to a decline in economic activity, and a drop in foreign investment. On February 1 , 2021 , the Myanmar military, also known as the Tatmadaw , seized control of the government. They arrested State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint and declared a state of emergency for one year.

The coup took place amid a general election that was taking place in the country. In these elections, Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD) party was widely expected to win. The military has accused the NLD of voter fraud, but the claim has been widely discredited.

Greece has experienced political instability and economic turmoil as a result of the financial crisis that began in 2008 . The country’s economy was heavily dependent on borrowing. When the global financial crisis hit, the country found itself unable to repay its debt. This led to a severe economic crisis, marked by high unemployment, poverty, and a decline in economic growth. The crisis also led to political instability. Frequent changes in government and power struggles have occurred between the government and the opposition.

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III. The Impact of Political Instability on Economic Growth and Development

A. deterioration of the business environment and investment:.

Political instability can have a negative impact on the business environment, making it difficult for companies to operate and invest. Investors may become hesitant to invest in a country experiencing political instability, as they are uncertain about the future of the country and the potential for a return on their investment. This can lead to a decline in foreign investment and a decrease in economic growth.

B. Decline in Trade and Tourism:

Political instability can also affect a country’s ability to trade and attract tourism. Countries experiencing political instability may be perceived as unsafe for travel, leading to a decline in tourism. Additionally, trade partners may be hesitant to do business with a country that is politically unstable, leading to a decline in exports and imports, and a decrease in economic growth.

C. Inflation and Currency Devaluation:

Political instability can also lead to inflation and currency devaluation. In times of political turmoil, investors may pull their money out of a country, leading to a decrease in the value of the country’s currency. Additionally, government policies that are implemented during times of political instability, such as printing more money to finance government spending, can lead to inflation and further devaluation of the currency.

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D. Lack of Government Accountability and Transparency:

Political instability can lead to a lack of accountability and transparency in government, making it difficult for citizens to hold their leaders accountable. This can result in corruption, embezzlement of public funds, and a lack of trust in government institutions. This can further hinder economic growth and development.

E. Limited Access to Credit and Financing:

Political instability can make it difficult for businesses and individuals to access credit and financing, as lenders and investors may be hesitant to provide funding in a country that is politically unstable. This can limit the ability of businesses to expand and create jobs and can make it difficult for individuals to access the credit they need to start a business or invest in their education.

F. Reduced Access to Basic Services and Social Welfare:

Political instability can also have a negative impact on the delivery of basic services such as healthcare, education, and social welfare. The government may be unable to provide these services due to a lack of funding or political will, and this can further exacerbate poverty and inequality in the country.

G. Deterioration of Infrastructure:

Political instability can also lead to neglect of infrastructure development, such as a lack of maintenance and investment in roads, public transport, and other vital infrastructure that is crucial to economic growth and development.

H. Deterioration of Public Institutions:

Political instability can also lead to the deterioration of public institutions such as the judiciary, police, and other institutions that are important for maintaining order and enforcing the rule of law. This can further undermine economic growth and development.

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V. Conclusion

In conclusion, political instability can have a severe and far-reaching impact on economic growth and development. Historical examples such as Venezuela, Myanmar, and Greece demonstrate how political instability can lead to economic turmoil, hyperinflation, currency devaluation, and a decline in economic growth. The political instability is impacting the business environment, trade and tourism, inflation, currency devaluation, lack of government accountability and transparency, and limited access to credit and financing.

Reduced access to basic services and social welfare, deterioration of infrastructure and public institutions, all these factors can have a negative impact on a country’s ability to improve its standard of living and provide for its citizens’ basic needs. It is therefore crucial for governments and leaders to work toward political stability and ensure that policies and institutions are in place to promote economic growth and development.

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A Diplomatic Spat in Ecuador May Lift Its President’s Political Fortunes

Analysts believe that President Daniel Noboa’s re-election hopes are what motivated the arrest of an Ecuadorean politician taking refuge at the Mexican Embassy.

By Genevieve Glatsky

Ecuador’s decision to send police officers into the Mexican Embassy to arrest a politician who had taken refuge there inflamed tensions between two countries that were already at odds, but it may prove a political boon for the Ecuadorean president.

President Daniel Noboa has been faced with flagging approval ratings amid rising violence weeks before a referendum that could affect his prospects for re-election next year. The spat with Mexico, which suspended diplomatic relations, may be just what he needed.

The politician who was arrested, Jorge Glas , a former vice president of Ecuador, had been sentenced to prison for corruption and living at the Mexican Embassy in Quito since December. Then on Friday, Mexico granted him asylum, and the Ecuadorean police moved in.

Mr. Noboa’s office said that the arrest had gone forward because Mexico had abused the immunities and privileges granted to the diplomatic mission, but the message it sent was also in keeping line with Mr. Noboa’s hardhanded approach to tackling violence and graft in Ecuador.

The 36-year-old center-right leader came to power in November after President Guillermo Lasso, facing impeachment proceedings over accusations of embezzlement, called for early elections. Mr. Noboa is in office until May 2025, the remainder of Mr. Lasso’s term.

Mr. Noboa’s ability to show that he can restore law and order to the nation of nearly 18 million may prove critical to his re-election, and that means tackling the country’s gangs, as well as corruption within the government that has enabled criminal groups, analysts say.

Many experts say those political aspirations appear to explain the arrest at the embassy, which signaled that the president is tough on impunity.

“He did this to change all these negative talking points that were affecting him and try to have a conversation in his favor,” said an Ecuadorean political analyst, Agustín Burbano de Lara.

Mr. Glas held various ministerial positions during the presidency of Rafael Correa, a leftist, most notably serving as vice president. In 2017, he was forced from office and sentenced to six years in prison for accepting bribes. Another bribery conviction in 2020 implicated him and Mr. Correa, and both were sentenced to eight years.

Released in 2022, Mr. Glas eventually sought asylum in Mexico, a move that strained relations between Ecuador and Mexico. Ecuador’s Foreign Ministry said in March that it had requested Mexico’s permission to arrest Mr. Glas.

While Mr. Noboa is very popular, polls show that his approval rating fell 11 points in recent months, from 85 percent to 74 percent, amid the rising violence in Ecuador.

After the coastal city of Guayaquil was overrun by gang violence in January, Mr. Noboa declared an internal conflict , an extraordinary step taken when the state has come under attack by an armed group. He deployed the country’s military, allowing soldiers to patrol the streets and prisons to tackle the soaring gang violence linked to drug trafficking.

The aggressive response initially reduced violence and brought a precarious sense of safety to places like Guayaquil — but the stability did not last. Over the Easter holiday, there were 137 murders in Ecuador, and kidnappings and extortion have worsened .

In two weeks, Ecuadoreans will vote on a referendum to allow the government to increase security measures by making prison sentences for some crimes more severe and enshrining the increased military presence into law.

Experts say it is too soon to say if the arrest of Mr. Glas will benefit Mr. Noboa at the ballot box, but several Ecuadoreans said on Sunday that they supported the action.

“Mexico has treated Ecuadoreans like fools, giving asylum to all these convicted people,” said Danilo Álvarez, a 41-year-old salesman from Guayaquil, one of the country’s most violent cities.

Ecuador itself once famously granted asylum and protection at one of its embassies. In 2012, when Mr. Correa was president, it did so for the founder of WikiLeaks, Julian Assange , housing him at its embassy in London for seven years.

Mr. Álvarez said that robbers had broken into his house a few years ago, tied his hands and feet together and held a gun to his head. It was months before he was able to sleep well again, he said.

Not all citizens, however, were in agreement with the arrest.

“This was an act of total disrespect for international law,” said Delfa Mantilla, 62, a retired teacher. “It seems that it was something that President Noboa did as a product of his rich-boy ego, without empathy.”

Some worried about the affects that the diplomatic dispute could have for ordinary people. Tens of thousands of Ecuadoreans migrate through Mexico to the United States every year, and the two countries have faced a surge in transnational crime, with many Mexican cartels operating out of Ecuador.

“Part of me thinks it’s fine, because Glas should go to jail,” said Mario Zalamar, a 34-year-old commercial engineer. But, he said, “There are thousands of Ecuadoreans right now moving through Mexico on foot to migrate to the United States, and we don’t know how much this is going to affect them.”

Even if many Ecuadoreans support the arrest at the embassy, Mr. Noboa has likely deepened a diplomatic rift that may weaken its relations with other countries in the region.

Honduras, Brazil, Colombia and Argentina have all rallied around Mexico and criticized the arrest. And the government of Nicaragua announced it was suspending its diplomatic relationship with Ecuador, characterizing the arrest as “neo-fascist political barbarity” in a statement shared by state-run media .

Matthew Miller, a spokesman for the American State Department, said, “The United States condemns any violation of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, and takes very seriously the obligation of host countries under international law to respect the inviolability of diplomatic missions.”

Mr. Miller called on both countries to resolve their difference.

José María León Cabrera and Thalíe Ponce contributed reporting.