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Pakistan‘s fraternal twins – Democracy and Dictatorship
Maryam Khan
A wave of an ocean may not have as many ups and downs when compared to the fluctuations that occur in the politics of Pakistan. Throughout its chequered history, Pakistan has oscillated between dictatorship and some form of democracy. Today despite passing of so many years, the debate still rages on as to what is a better template for governing Pakistan.
Democracy allows a common man to decide for himself, “who he wants to be ruled by?”, whereas, dictatorship halts this decision power. While theoretically democracy draws its strength from the people and tries to capture their aspirations in the way governance is conducted, but the actually reality is often different.
In reality, at least in Pakistan, both democratic as well as authoritarian regimes have governed poorly and instead of accepting responsibilities have tried to blame the other party. All the regimes, irrespective of their nature have governed poorly and have tried to pass the blame to previous regimes. Apart from those both civilian and military leaders have put the blame on each other and have complained about “less time”. It’s surely a story which our next generation would be giving no stars to it. Poor governance of different governments, irrespective of their kind — democracy or dictatorship — has not led Pakistan to win many raves around the world.
Eventually it is not only the “form” but what a government actually does which is more important. Civilian governments by constantly failing to deliver and by merely blaming conspiracies of the establishment merely undermine the case for democracy. Yes, democracy is the way forward but then democratic governments have to do a better job in governance. Eventually people will develop trust in democracy provided democrats show responsibility and govern better. In Pakistan, most of the defenders of democracy simply try to absolve the mistakes of the democratic governments by citing “establishment’s conspiracies” and not enough time. While these may be critical hampering factors, democrats themselves also need to show greater responsibility to allow democracy a better chance to flourish.
Pakistan seems to be on the verge of having enough dose of this “pass the buck” trend. Governments fall short on deliverance and start blaming all other except themselves. When democratic governments do that repeatedly they inadvertently end up making the case for dictatorship. And dictatorship is something which we cannot afford .
It is important for the governments, federal and provincial, to have a serious introspection into their performance and after critical evaluation, direct their efforts towards real issues confronting the population. Their efforts in this regard, if even partially successful, will strengthen democracy.
Filed under: Uncategorized · Tags: dictatorship, governance, Maryam Khan, Pakistan
9 Responses to "Pakistan‘s fraternal twins – Democracy and Dictatorship"
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Maryam,
The absence of the fait accompli word ‘Religion’ in your Op-ED renders it unworthy of any meaningful discussion.
to maryam
Islam confuses in the 21st century. Hence Pakistan is a land in utter confusion. Many other societies/countries are in confusion too, but they seek modern knowledge to get out of these confusions. In Pakistan however it has become impossible to be honest (let alone seek modern knowledge) due to islam.
What use is democracy in a confused nation? and when dictatorship comes then it becomes/makes only worse. So first get rid of this 7th century fascist arab ideology.
I hope this theme does not get trolled by those who wish to discuss Gandhi, Jinnah, CMP etc. in a mood of mutual flattery.
@ Maryam
Yes, democracy and dictatorships are like twins, nay more like the Basket Case!
What we need in Pakistan is an Emperor,a King, a monarchy like Saudi Arabia!
to AKB
Monarchy? In Pakistan? Monarchy with no petrodollars and no clear racial profile as arabs and no possession of passions like in Makkah and Madinah.
What mental slaves and bootlickers of arabs you pakistanis are.
@ relevant
what a buffoon you are!! Pakistan is rich in minerals..haven’t you heard of the Reckowig saga??
.
Only a King can rid Pakistan of its problems with people like you and the Molvi’s and deviates.
At sometime Pakistan has got to stop second guessing democracy and move forward on the democratic path with confidence. They say if the only tool you have is a hammer, you will see every problem as a nail. So Ayub started the 1965 war, Yahya precipitated 1971 with Operation Searchlight and division of the nation, Zia got you into the Afghan jehad and attend problems of kalashnikov and drug culture, Musharraf gave you Kargill and GWOT apart from the Balochistan mess. But then a retired general second guessing democracy is no surprise.
to AKB
Pakistan is rich in minerals – but that land is hindu land (Sindhu river basin), snatched by the agents of arab imperialism and their quislings through violence and deceit and genocide.
Your brains are mineralized into desert-chalkstone or desert-sandstone – that is your (=muslims’) funda-MENTAL problem – a problem that invariably accompanies islam.
It is quite obvious that a political class is secretly subscribed to the fundamentalist religious ideology and did not take a clear stance against the Taliban’s terrorist activities in the country for expedient reasons. But we did not know that the central leader of one of Pakistan’s major political parties would spill the beans of his party’s pusillanimity in such a clumsy manner. However, the citizens are so fed up with the Taliban that the reluctance of the Punjab government to take action against the jihadi outfits in Punjab is likely to cost the PML-N dearly. This attitude of PML-N is simply hampering the Govt’s attempts to counter monster of terrorism. Similarly it is par with the betrayal from the blood of those who rendered their lives in this war of survival.
WHY WERE TALIBAN CREATED ? WHAT IS THE NEMESIS ? Earlier Afghanistan was a peaceful country. Poor, yet peaceful. When the Soviets entered Pakistan (that eventually led to the destruction of USSR – but they broke so decently – that there was no loss of life – Not 1 man died when USSR fell apart ! What a decent PARTITION of ways, it was !).. the security of Pakistan was threatened. India on one side .. Russia on another ! It had to act. And act, it did. President Reagan had called Talibani fighters “similar to the founding fathers of America”.. Heroes (Rambo-II).. Suddenly USSR leaves (and crumbles). These unleashed energies are now unemployed. And America (The Capitalist) walks away.. using Pakistan and Afghans as Tissue Paper.
Their use was now over. IT is this commercial, cheap, capitalistic view.. that led to problems later.
USA is a capitalist power. It used and kicked Taliban.. and left them to their God. Millions spilled into Pakistan ! Pashtuns on either side of the border (a line on paper). Pakistani resources were strained. It led to law and order issues etc.
The State of Pakistan had to cultivate Taliban.. as a strategic asset.. to unleash.. just in case India………. (At the crux of that matter, is THAT fear.. Many a time, India had given dirty deeds.. during Sundarji’s time.. the Indian Army… !). Pakistani State is under fear from India from day 1.. and that compels the Pakistani State to compromise with evil forces.. for the sake of survival.. or doomsday-scenario DETERRENCE strategy(ies).
Once Pakistan.. and small countries of SE Asia are MERGED with PRC.. these problems will die a natural death. Afghanistan is land-locked. They want to remain FREE. Free for what ? To kill and get killed ? Earlier they were in the business of DRY FRUITS…
KABULIWALA.. KABULIWALA.. Their business extended from Peshawar to Kolkata.. by Frontier Mail ! Post 1947.. their market was killed.. their market shrank. Then they started growing Poppies.. Opium.. for survival. At the heart of the matter is the UNEMPLOYMENT of Afghans.. THE MARKET OF INDIA.. that was denied to them post 1947.. The DRY FRUIT MARKET.. would have been enough for Afghans to survive.. and move on.
Once the Afghans were pushed into a corner (a land-locked corner).,what options did they have.. other than.. killings.. and opium ? Afghanistan was a land of great culture.. and hospitality.. Circumstances.. Unemployment.. Denial of Opportunity.. PUSHED the nation into Depression.
All of this is happening because of a certain feeling.. every BASTI wants to be a country.. to feel free. Language.. Culture.. Religion.. What the heck. Science. Economy. Technology. THAT is the new CRITERA. Freedom is important.. yes.. but so is LAW AND ORDER.
PAKISTAN HAD TO SUPPORT TALIBAN.. TO COUNTER.. THE THREAT OF R.S.S. AND HINDU-RIGHT.. JUST IN CASE……….. (of that eventuality).