A simple definition of democracy is “government by the people.” However, it is important that people are allowed to exercise their voting rights in a free and fair manner. This dream never came true in Pakistan. The civil and military bureaucracy and landowners grabbed the resources of the state depriving the masses of social and economic justice. These forces accumulated huge fortune at the cost of the people. They weakened the state and institutions in their quest for power and positions.

As a fallout from the Afghan war during Zia-ul-Haq’s era, arms and drugs reached the cities of Pakistan that created law and order problem. Street vandalism and lawlessness became so pervasive that successive Pakistani governments failed to restore peace and remove miscreants from the cities. Karachi was the most affected city from the fallout of Afghan war.

Throughout the history of the country, democratic and dictatorial governments came to power, but could not do much for the welfare of the people. President Ayub Khan had certain achievements in his long dictatorial rule but he hampered development of political institutions and deprived the majority of their rights in the former East Pakistan. The presidential system was subsequently changed to the parliamentary form of government after the catastrophe of Bangladesh.

Zulfikar Ali Bhutto came to power but he faced internal opposition due to his nationalization program and external opposition due to his nuclear program.

Now, a debate is raging whether the parliamentary system should be changed to the presidential form of government for stability in the country.

The last two elections have been considered as steps toward democracy. The first one was conducted under Gen. Musharraf in which the PPP won. The recent one was conducted under the PPP government in which Nawaz Sharif’s party won. There are allegations of massive rigging during this election. Can democracy succeed under leaders like Asif Zardari or Nawaz Sharif who consider their own interests above everything?

The problem of Pakistan is, in fact, lack of sincere leadership. — Muhammad Ali Chishty, Riyadh