It is tragic that elements required in a healthy and flourishing democracy are not present in Pakistan. Among other education, freedom of press, tolerance, freedom of expression and organized political culture based on democratic Party structure are few unavoidable needs.
Unfortunately no political party in Pakistan has a political program to legitimate its being. All of them base their political strategy either on slogans or upon old feudal structure...
Poverty, feudal system, tribal influence, powerful establishment are other factors that have contained positive democratic culture in Pakistan. Apart from these facts it is beyond any doubt that Pakistani people are democratic minded. They have always struggled against military rulers and got rid of them for democracy to take over. It is still to be seen if Pakistani political leaders can also show such unwavering faith in democratic process. Question is if they will seize to look towards other forces than peoples vote? Will they acknowledge that criticism is legitimate of a democratic process but so is right of a winning party to rule for a certain period of time? Will they stop call for fresh elections soon after opposing political party or alliance comes to power? Can they stop blaming each others as traitors once they are not in alliance and as brothers when political benefit is attained?
Young democracies need painful time and energy to get on track. There is no democratic nation in the world that has not been through this journey. It is vital that all political forces understand this and help people of Pakistan get through these challenging times. In Pakistan democracy is a dream but also a need. Democracy can get this country stronger and prosperous. People of Pakistan genuinely expect their leaders to acknowledge that truth.
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