As more details of the chaotic and bloody unsuccessful coup attempt by a faction of the Turkish Army emerge, one thing is clear: The Turkish people have created history by defying a bid to overthrow their elected government.
While Erdogan is seen by West as tipping the country into authoritarianism, the failed coup shows that he is still immensely popular among the public. His video chat interview to assert the legitimacy of his government’s authority and call to take to the streets against the coup was answered well by the Turkish people.
An elected government can only command such loyalty from its people only when it is delivering on its promises and creating real change in the country. Over the past fifteen years, the Turkish economy has enjoyed remarkable success under the rule of Erdogan’s Justice and Development Party (AKP). Despite a difficult external environment, Erdogan’s government was able to maintain a high economic growth rate by continuing IMF-led reforms and prudently managing the country’s fiscal and monetary policy.
Turkey’s economic miracle benefited the AKP, which won three consecutive elections from 2002 to 2011, to usher a new era of political stability.
Like Pakistan, Turkey has had a long history of political takeovers by the military, with successful coups in 1960, 1971, 1980 and 1997. According to Turkey’s acting chief of staff Umit Dundar, the country has “closed the chapter of coups for good, never to be opened again.”
But, can the same be said about its brother state Pakistan? While Pakistanis applaud the brave actions of Turkish people and dream about a fruitful democracy in their own country, deep inside they somehow yearn for a greater military role to tame the corrupt politicians.
To many, men in uniform are the only saviors of Pakistan. The current Army Chief Raheel Sharif is arguably the country’s most popular personality and seen determined to steer it out of crises. An ordinary Pakistani is highly unlikely to back the politicians and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, already struggling in wake of Panama Leaks, to resist any threats to a democratic government.
The Turkish episode has an interesting lesson for politicians of Pakistan — deliver on the promise of democracy and we will support you, otherwise be ready to take a fall.
Elected representatives have been chosen to serve the people, not to loot and deny the citizens of their due rights. The Sharif government and other politicians need to assume greater responsibility to fix the economy, improve security situation, create a more just socio-economic system and fulfill other election manifesto promises. When life becomes a daily struggle for ordinary citizens, their frustrations heighten and weaken the government as people search for an alternate power.
Public discontent, coupled with political crisis, has already forced the Sharif government to share decision-making on key state affairs with the country’s military leadership.
This silent coup is the new reality of political setup in Pakistan. An overthrow of the civilian government may not be acceptable to world powers and people of Pakistan as well, who aspire for democracy to progress here.
The country’s corrupt and inept political forces remain a necessity, but will have to partner with the Generals to help Pakistan overcome its tough domestic and geopolitical challenges. For the time being, this seems to be the most workable model of democracy for Pakistan.
While Erdogan is seen by West as tipping the country into authoritarianism, the failed coup shows that he is still immensely popular among the public. His video chat interview to assert the legitimacy of his government’s authority and call to take to the streets against the coup was answered well by the Turkish people.
An elected government can only command such loyalty from its people only when it is delivering on its promises and creating real change in the country. Over the past fifteen years, the Turkish economy has enjoyed remarkable success under the rule of Erdogan’s Justice and Development Party (AKP). Despite a difficult external environment, Erdogan’s government was able to maintain a high economic growth rate by continuing IMF-led reforms and prudently managing the country’s fiscal and monetary policy.
Turkey’s economic miracle benefited the AKP, which won three consecutive elections from 2002 to 2011, to usher a new era of political stability.
Like Pakistan, Turkey has had a long history of political takeovers by the military, with successful coups in 1960, 1971, 1980 and 1997. According to Turkey’s acting chief of staff Umit Dundar, the country has “closed the chapter of coups for good, never to be opened again.”
But, can the same be said about its brother state Pakistan? While Pakistanis applaud the brave actions of Turkish people and dream about a fruitful democracy in their own country, deep inside they somehow yearn for a greater military role to tame the corrupt politicians.
To many, men in uniform are the only saviors of Pakistan. The current Army Chief Raheel Sharif is arguably the country’s most popular personality and seen determined to steer it out of crises. An ordinary Pakistani is highly unlikely to back the politicians and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, already struggling in wake of Panama Leaks, to resist any threats to a democratic government.
The Turkish episode has an interesting lesson for politicians of Pakistan — deliver on the promise of democracy and we will support you, otherwise be ready to take a fall.
Elected representatives have been chosen to serve the people, not to loot and deny the citizens of their due rights. The Sharif government and other politicians need to assume greater responsibility to fix the economy, improve security situation, create a more just socio-economic system and fulfill other election manifesto promises. When life becomes a daily struggle for ordinary citizens, their frustrations heighten and weaken the government as people search for an alternate power.
Public discontent, coupled with political crisis, has already forced the Sharif government to share decision-making on key state affairs with the country’s military leadership.
This silent coup is the new reality of political setup in Pakistan. An overthrow of the civilian government may not be acceptable to world powers and people of Pakistan as well, who aspire for democracy to progress here.
The country’s corrupt and inept political forces remain a necessity, but will have to partner with the Generals to help Pakistan overcome its tough domestic and geopolitical challenges. For the time being, this seems to be the most workable model of democracy for Pakistan.
