Evolution of Democratic System

in Pakistan
 Outline
1. Introduction
2. Features of Democratic System of Pakistan
3. Phases of Evolution 1947-2018
4. Challenges for Democratic System
5. How to overcome these challenges.
6. Conclusion
 1. Introduction
• Evolution of democratic system in Pakistan has
seen many ups and down.
• In our history of almost 70 years, democratic
system has remained for half of the time.
• In remaining half there remained dictatorship.
• There have been four phases of democracy and
four phases of dictatorship.
• It has been facing multidimensional challenges.
 1. Introduction
• Democratic system is considered as a best system
worldwide.
• It is a system that is based on the will of the
people.
• Democracy is defined as the government of the
people, for the people and by the people.
• DS is a product free and fair election, accountable
and transparent, having judicial independence,
rule of law, intraparty elections.
 1. Introduction
• In the democratic system of Pakistan,
• Elections have remained controversial,
• Charges of corruptions on politician,
• Involvement of military in Politics,
• Judiciary had remained subservient in the past,
• Political parties remained personality
dominated having no intraparty elections.
 1. Introduction
• In the recent past democracy has strengthened.
• In 2013 elections were relatively fair although
controversial.
• For the first time in history transfer of power from
one civilian government to another.
• During the last almost 5 years, DS has withstood
crises such as sit-in and panama etc.
• In 2018, free and fair elections would further
strengthen DS.
 2. Features of Democratic System of Pakistan

• Federal System
• Parliamentary System
• Islamic System
• Military-Bureaucratic Oligarchy
• Multiple Party System
• Personality dominated Political Parties
• Lack of Accountability
 3. Phases of Evolution 1947-2018

• Four Phases
1. Initial Democratic Phase (1947-1958)
2. Socialist Democratic Phase (1972-1977)
3. Unstable Democratic Phase (1988-1999)
4. Recent Democratic Phase (2008-2018)
 Initial Democratic Phase (1947-1958)

• Early problems
• Delay in constitution making
• Failure of Political leaders
• Absence of elections
• Rise of bureaucracy
• Involvement of Military
• Political instability
 Socialist Democratic Phase

• Prior to this phase, two military interventions

– Ayub Khan- Abrogation, BD System, 1962
– Yahya Khan-Abrogation,1970 Elections & tragedy
• ZAB as President and PM
• Constitution of 1973-Article 6
• Nationalization
• Nuclearization
• Elections of 1977 – rigged
 Unstable Democratic Phase

• Prior to this phase , Zia military intervention.

• Suspension of Constitution
• Islamization and involvement in Afghan
Conflict
• Movement for Restoration of Democracy
(MRD)
• Non-Party based elections 1985
• Revival of Constitution and 8th Amendment
 Unstable Democratic Phase

• Two important changes creating instability;

‘Advice’ replaced with ‘discretion’ & 58(2)b
• 58(2)b was exercised four times;
i. Zia removed PM Junajo in 1988 and elections
ii. BB removed by GIK in 1990
iii. NS removed by GIK in 1993
iv. BB removed by Laghare in 1996
 Unstable Democratic Phase

• In 1997 elections, NS secured 2/3rd majority.

• The 13th Amendment deprived the President of
two powers.
• Now the President was bound by the advice of
the PM.
• The President was no more empowered to
dissolve the National Assembly and dismiss
the PM.
 Recent Democratic Phase
• Prior to this, Musharaf Military intervention
– Suspension of Constitution
– 7 Points Agenda
– Judicial Validation
– 2002 Elections/17th Amendment
– Remote controlled Democracy 2003-2008
• Elections of 2008- PPP Government;
• Three Achievements- Baluchistan Package, 18 to
20th Amendments, 7th NFC Award.
 Recent Democratic Phase
• Three Failures- Energy, Corruption, Security
• Elections 2013, Landmark transition- PML(N).
• Achievements – NAP, Transparency, Energy
and Economy, CPEC, Electoral Reforms.
• Failures – No NFC , Censes, Absence of
Political Reconciliation.
• Elections 2018. Fair for some and unfair for
others.
 4. Challenges for Democratic System

i. Military involvement in Politics

ii. Corruption by political leaders
iii. Week Civilian institutions
iv. Feudalism
v. Absence of Free and fair elections
vi. Too many political parties
vii. Absence of intraparty elections
viii.Lack of Participant Political culture
 5. How to overcome these challenges.

i. Functional Specialization
ii. Strict System of Accountability
iii. Constitutional Rule
iv. Land Reforms
v. Education
vi. Independent Election Commission
vii. Elections at all levels
 6. Conclusion

• It is concluded that democratic system of

Pakistan has evolved over the last 70 years.
• Despite challenges it has strengthened in the
resent past and it is hoped that it would be
further strengthened in the forthcoming
elections.
• Despite its weakness the system may be
allowed to flourish.
 Evolving a democratic nation-state
By Javed Jabbar Dawn 23-March-2017
1. The quorum quandary
2. Make voting compulsory
3. A directly elected Senate
4. A directly elected President
5. A shared Presidency
6. Directly elected women legislatures
7. Local is focal
 Evolving a democratic nation-state
By Javed Jabbar Dawn 23-March-2017
8. Health and education – national, not
provincial alone.
9. Political Parties Reforms
10.Creation of a Political Parties Commission