As we all know that democracy is; “a form of government that is built on the principles of equality, justice, freedom, and representation. It is a system where the power is vested in the hands of the people, who elect their representatives to make decisions on their behalf.”
Whereas pseudo-democracy refers to; “a political system that appears to be democratic, but in reality, it is far from it. A pseudo-democratic system often features limited political freedom, a lack of transparency and accountability, and the suppression of opposition. It is used to describe a system where democratic institutions exist, but the outcome of the election is predetermined and the political process is rigged to favor one political group or individual.”
And in such a system, the ruling elites have a stranglehold on power and the democratic process is reduced to a formality. This can be explained through the several examples of pseudo-democracies that can be found in many parts of the world, such as in Central Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. In such systems, the citizens of the state are denied the right to free and fair elections and to express their opinions and beliefs freely.
However, in Pakistan, the history of democracy has been tumultuous, marked by periods of military rule and weak civilian governments. The country has seen military coups, rigged elections, and the suppression of opposition voices. In recent years, there have been allegations of vote-rigging and manipulation of the election process. The media is often censored and journalists face intimidation and violence. The judiciary has faced criticism for its lack of independence and its inability to hold the powerful accountable.
One example of pseudo-democracy in Pakistan is the rigging of the 1990 general elections. This election saw the ruling party, the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), lose its majority in the National Assembly. The military, led by General Aslam Beg, interfered in the election process, manipulating the results in favor of the right-wing Islamic Democratic Alliance. This election marked the beginning of a period of political instability and economic decline in Pakistan.
Another example is the recent election of 2018, which saw the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party come to power. The election was marred by allegations of vote-rigging and manipulation, with the opposition parties alleging that the military had interfered in the election process. The PTI government has faced criticism for its handling of the media and for its suppression of opposition voices.
Along with this, the lack of stability in the political system has led to a security situation in Pakistan that is far from ideal. The country has faced numerous security challenges, including terrorism, insurgency, and sectarian violence. The security situation in Pakistan is further exacerbated by the activities of extremist and militant groups, who use violence and intimidation to achieve their goals. The government has struggled to respond effectively to these security challenges, and many parts of the country remain unsafe.
Therefore, all this has led to a situation where the basic principles of democracy, such as free and fair elections, protection of human rights, and rule of law, are violated. In such a scenario, the people of Pakistan are denied their basic democratic rights, and the country is unable to progress toward a truly democratic society. The question that rises here is;
What factors led to the Growth of Pseudo Democracy in Pakistan?
To get an answer to this question we need to consider the following factors that never let democracy flourish in Pakistan;
1) Lack of transparency:
One of the major factors that have contributed to the pseudo-democratic nature of Pakistan is the lack of transparency in the electoral process. Elections in Pakistan have been marred by allegations of rigging, vote-buying, and manipulation. The Election Commission of Pakistan has been criticized for its inability to hold free and fair elections. In some cases, the military has even been accused of influencing the outcome of elections in favor of certain political parties. This has led to widespread cynicism among the people, who believe that their votes do not count.
2) Lack of accountability of the government:
Another factor that has contributed to the pseudo-democratic nature of Pakistan is the lack of accountability of the government. The government is often accused of corruption, nepotism, and abuse of power. The judiciary and the police are often seen as being partial, and the press is often intimidated or censored. This has led to a lack of trust in the government, and many citizens feel that their voices are not being heard.
3) Military involvement in Politics:
Another one of the major reasons for the rise of pseudo-democracy in Pakistan is the military’s persistent interference in politics. The military has a long history of overthrowing democratically elected governments and has often intervened in the political process, either through direct or indirect means, to ensure that the outcome of elections is favorable to them. This has resulted in the weakening of democratic institutions and the erosion of public trust in the democratic process. The military’s influence over the government has also led to the suppression of political opposition, the manipulation of elections, and the suppression of media freedom. This has created a situation where the people of Pakistan are unable to freely exercise their political rights and express their opinions.
4) Absence of strong democratic institutions:
The absence of strong democratic institutions is also a major factor that has contributed to the pseudo-democratic nature of Pakistan. The country’s judiciary and the police are often seen as weak, ineffective, and corrupt. This has led to a lack of justice, as the victims of crimes often go unpunished, and the guilty go free. This has also contributed to a lack of trust in the government, as the citizens believe that their rights are not being protected.
5) Media Censorship:
Finally, the role of the media in Pakistan is also a major factor that has contributed to the pseudo-democratic nature of the country. The media is often intimidated or censored, and the journalists who dare to report on sensitive topics are often threatened or even killed. This has led to a lack of freedom of expression, as the citizens are often afraid to speak out against the government for fear of retaliation. Additionally, this has led to a situation where the people of Pakistan are denied access to information and are unable to make informed decisions. The suppression of media freedom has also led to the spread of misinformation and propaganda, further eroding public trust in the democratic process.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the rise of pseudo-democracy in Pakistan is a serious challenge to the country’s democratic institutions and processes. The military’s persistent interference in politics, the lack of transparency and accountability in the electoral process, and the suppression of media freedom are major contributing factors to this trend. The people of Pakistan are denied their basic democratic rights, and the country is unable to progress toward a truly democratic society. It is imperative that the government, political parties, and civil society work together to address these challenges and restore the principles of democracy in Pakistan. Only then can the country move towards a brighter future, where the people of Pakistan can freely exercise their political rights and enjoy the benefits of a democratic society.
