The Islamic Republic of Pakistan has gone through vicissitudes as far as their development as nation state is concerned. The gestation and evolution of democracy in this Islamic Republic missed the nurturing that was required during the initial years of their formation as a nation. The periodic military takeovers deterred the plant of democracy to really develop hence the system of this nation went different vis-a-vis their neighbours. The return of an elected government in 1971 that was overthrown in 1977 was more of a civilian rule that was once again replaced by the military. The longest tenure of democracy has been between 1988 to 1999. The present regime is a democratic system that has so far functioned since the last six years and continues however it will need time to take its roots and reach the desired level of maturity. Being critical about the elected governments be it the present or the past is perhaps the easiest but not an approach that is reasonable. Critics have argued that democracy in this Islamic Republic is a lame or managed democracy while the real fact is that democracy is at a nascent stage. The conditions prevailing in a nation; economic, social, political and ethnic; play a major role in the development of democracy in any nation. The process is slow and steady hence time alone can tell what the future of democracy shall be in Pakistan. As a nation Pakistan is passing through a phase of democratic turbulence which needs a cautious handling lest there is another take over by their army. Conditions are no doubt critical within Pakistan hence any dialogue between India and this neighbour if initiated the results cannot be really anticipated.
Posted on: Thu, 28 Aug 2014 06:09:41 +0000
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