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What Democracy Can Do For
Pakistan?
Pakistan’s military rulers have successfully demonized
democracy in Pakistan. Their propaganda machine has created many pseudo
intellectuals, politicians and journalists who defame
democracy day in day out.
General Musharraf himself consistently issues statements
to confuse Pakistani mind about the prospects of democracy in Pakistan. He
doesn’t miss a chance to make derogatory remarks about democratic
institutions and politicians.
The general may be as sophisticated as he likes, but the
people of Pakistan know the real intentions of
self-appointed president of Pakistan.
Of course General Musharraf and his military colleagues
intend to keep themselves in power as long as they can. To perpetuate
themselves, they would do all sorts of things. derogatory statements
about democratic institutions and politicians are part of the game. The more
frustration the people of Pakistan show about democratic institutions and
politicians the longer Pakistani generals stay in power.
However, there is a very serious problem with general
Musharraf’s set-up. Like his predecessors, he has set-up a structure in
Pakistan, which does not show how and when general Musharraf will leave
office.
General Ayub, Yahya and Zia also did not let the people
see their method and moment of exit. Consequently, the circumstances
dictated the method and moment of their exit.
Democracy has a self-correcting mechanism. It gives hope
to people. If people get frustrated or disgruntled with their rulers, at
least they have a hope to throw them out through electoral process.
The people of Spain did not like the policies of their
prime minister. They threw him out and elected a new prime minister whose
ideas are closer to their wishes.
The people of United Kingdom and United States do not
like the policies or their rulers. There are going to be elections in the
United States in November this year and in United Kingdom in April next
year; the people of UK and US have choice to throw their rulers out and
elect new leaders.
Pakistani generals have taken this right away from the
people of Pakistan. The people of Pakistan cannot throw the general out even
if they do not like his policies. Only they can get angry, commit suicides
or demonstrate in the streets to change the government.
If the people of Pakistan, like the people of United
Kingdom or the people of United States establish democracy in Pakistan, they
do not have to get angry or commit suicide or demonstrate in the streets to
throw their rulers out.
General Musharraf and his collaborators can make all
sorts of confusing statements about democracy, democratic institutions and
politicians; however, his deceptive system is always going to be inferior to
democracy.
Only democracy has the strengths that allow the people to
shape their lives according to their ideals and dreams and also help them to
successfully run their country.
The people of Pakistan, sooner or later, have to make the
choice between a deceptive illegal ruler or a democratically elected ruler
whom they can send home if they do not like his policies.
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