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The Equation of Power in Pakistan
By K. Ashraf
Pakistan is a complex study case as far as democracy is
concerned. However, it can be simplified through this ‘Equation of power in
Pakistan’ developed by your this scribe. Please go over it and feel free to
provide your feedback.
When Pakistan came into
existence the equation of power was somewhat like:
Political Leadership = the
people
Then very soon this equation
changed into:
Leadership + Bureaucracy = the
people
This equation remained in action
from 1950 to 1956. The leadership tried to constitutionalise the state, but
during this period the equation started to change:
Bureaucracy + Military = the
people
In this phase leadership
gradually phased out. Bureaucracy and military strengthened its hold on power.
In 1958 with the imposition of martial law this equation totally changed. It
turned into this equation:
Military + Bureaucracy = the
people
This scenario continued until
Pakistan collapsed in 1971. After the collapse of Pakistan in 1971 the
equation changed to:
Political Leadership +
Bureaucracy = the people
This equation again tried to
constitutionalise the state, but the real actors immediately changed the
equation to:
Military + Military +
Bureaucracy = the people
After this, off and on, this
equation has been changing from:
Military + Military +
Bureaucracy = the people
To
Military + Military +
Bureaucracy + political leadership = the people
And again to:
Military + Military +
Bureaucracy = the people
During this whole process we
find one interesting element: the politicians tried to constitutionalise the
state whereas, khakis always destroyed or over ride the process of
constitutionalisation of state.
If we really want to pull
Pakistan out of the sink it has been in for all times, we need to bring the
real equation back under which Pakistan was created.
Political Leadership = the
people
We can do it through
constitutionalising the state. Since, we know who is the culprit who is
destroying or over-riding the process of constitutionalisation, the people of
Pakistan, because they have the biggest stake in the state of Pakistan, have
to move in and stop that culprit. If they are hoping any general (Musharraf or
anyone else) or corrupt judiciary or United States or anyone else will do it
for them, they are hoping against hope. The people of Pakistan have to move in
and take charge of the situation and constitutionlise the country and impose
the writ of constitution.
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