ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency (PILDAT) has urgently advocated transitioning from a hybrid system to a fully functional democracy, as reported by The News on Wednesday.
In its 2023 Quality of Democracy report, Pildat highlighted the increasing difficulty in improving democracy in Pakistan. Some international democracy rating organizations have labeled Pakistan an electoral autocracy, reflecting the nation’s challenges in achieving democratic progress.
The institute pointed out that despite the familiar and deepening rut democracy found itself in by the end of 2023, there exist evident remedies and lessons.
However, the authorities in power, capable of pulling the country out of this state, have not taken appropriate steps in the past ‘seventy years,’ echoing the sentiment expressed by former Chief of Army Staff, General (r) Qamar Javed Bajwa, about the military’s involvement in political affairs.
Pildat highlighted a continuous crisis of confidence faced by political parties and leaders, whose political fate relies not on their popularity or governance policies but on their ability to engage favorably with the GHQ (General Headquarters) and play a secondary role.
The report emphasizes the detrimental impact on the public when political campaigns oscillate between pro- and anti-establishment stances, with neither the military steering clear of politics as constitutionally defined nor politicians agreeing on refraining from seeking or receiving military support.
Regarding the fairness and credibility of future elections, the report paints a grim picture akin to the 2018 General Election.
It criticized political parties for seemingly relying on establishment support to secure a managed public appeal and form fragmented governments.
Pildat expressed concern that the conclusion of the 15th National Assembly in 2023 did not strengthen democracy; instead, it left it as vulnerable and manipulated as it was when the assembly began its term in 2018. The report also criticized the Senate for lacking meaningful policy engagement, noting that it often devolved into partisan blame games and infighting.
The provincial assemblies were similarly scrutinized for merely rubber-stamping legislation, including crucial budgets, and regressing in providing transparent public information through their websites during their five-year tenure.
