Democracy in Pakistan
14 august 2011, the road connecting Lyari express way to Maripur, seemed disturbed by protestors. Our family had left from home, to celebrate the birth of the independent, sovereign and federal republic of Pakistan, for the sea shore. The road was blocked by the protestors and none seemed to celebrate the memorable occasion. Black flags and slogans were being hoarsely shouted against the creation of Pakistan. It was not a remote region; this area was none other than a district of Pakistan's biggest city and its economic hub "Karachi".
Lyari, a Baloch populated area held this protest in favor of their ethnicity in Balochistan.The demand for a separate "muhajir","siraiki" and "hazara" province have already been heard. Wall chalking in Karachi, which is considered the best way of communicating ideas to the public, are vociferous with such messages for the masses, an idea for a separate muhajir province. The creator of this idea deems himself the sole representative of thousands belonging to his ethnic group.
Iqbal Abbasi, a Hazara resident raises his voice at media forums:" To preserve the culture of "Hazara" we must create a separate province." In our distinguished culture and progressive thinking, we are neither "Pathan" nor "Punjabi" and we have lived for a long time of 63 years, without any specific identity. I strongly believe that a separate province will open the door for our people to serve this nation we call Pakistan". Punjab, the most populated and economically well-established province of Pakistan is being triggered with a new issue of "Siraiki" province. Everywhere, everyone is fighting to preserve, or rather proclaim, their own identity. The idea of 'federalism' bought in the region of south-east Asia, by the words of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, are a matter of the past now.
Pakistan is a diversified country. If you have visited the capital of the federal republic, Islamabad, or any posh locality in Karachi or Lahore, one can never imagine the conditions and situation of people surviving just a few miles from these cities. Feudal system is a common way of life in rural areas. These feudal are above all rules and regulations. They make and promulgate their own laws, control the economy through a prehistoric tribal, feudal system, and are the lords for all issues within the area of their jurisdiction. There are absolutely no democratic rights of the citizens residing in such areas; rather they neither have the right to know their rights.
Violence in Balochistan afflicts the mind of every Pakistani citizen. We are told that there is a military action or besieged action on 'miscreants', and that, which is the only natural solution to the persisting problem. The fact, however, is that there is vivid disorder in some parts of Balochistan. The reason identified for this unrest is the comparatively high measure of difference regarding development in the other provinces with that of Baluchistan. To-date some 8000 activists, lawyers and media persons have been subjected to imposed disappearances, abductions, random arrests, cases of torture and other neglects. The opinion and views of the past, present and future of Pakistan for an educated Baluch, living in such circumstances, is different from us, the educated youth of Karachi. Akbar Shaker, an engineering student in Quetta states:" unfortunately Pakistan is a colonial state which has annexed half of its territories by force and oppression, and it never stopped, as it is being practiced in Balochistan, the hilly region of KP, and urban and rural Sindh at different times. It continues even now in Balochistan.
Although the state and the rebels are equally responsible for the chaotic situation in Balochistan, but the state certainly stands responsible for misunderstanding or rather ignoring the real issues of the area. Munir Shaker, 44, a reporter of the Online News Network and a correspondent for Balochi language television channel Sabzbath Balochistan, was covering the "Black day" on 14 august in Khuzdar. That day, before he was able to make a presentation about the event, he was kidnapped and brutally killed. The day 14 August, when the nation was celebrating its day of impendence, another media person had lost his life while covering the REAL issues of Pakistan. This cowardly act was performed only to the keep the world unaware of the uprising in the province, its causes and consequences.
Military might is never a solution to political differences. In fact political negotiations is the key towards an effective federal system Therefore, contrary to the wishes of the federal capital, the liberation movement is gaining momentum.
"Instead of slow death in bed; I'd rather that death comes to me while I'm fighting for azaad balochistan" said Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti; hero for the majority of Balochistan liberation movements.
Pakistan is not a homogeneous country. There is not only diversity in ethnicity, habitat, climate, terrain, language, culture, dress, beliefs, traditions, gesture, rituals and norms but there is actually a great deal of aggression and antagonism between some of the federating units, especially where indigenous pre-Islamic customs differ from Islamic practices. This stems from the fact that what is now Pakistan has in the past been invaded and occupied by many different peoples, including White Huns, Persians, Arabs, Turks, Mongols and various Eurasian groups. The hard decision was made in the Indian Act of Independence (1947). Federalism was supposed to be the most effective compromise between the central government and all the local representatives. Pakistan being the land of tribes, feudals and states like "Bahawalpur" and "Khairpur" had to have a very sincere, responsible and focused eye on the issue because federalism was the solution of preserving individual culture, identities and retaining local pride.
Federalism means governing a variety of people, usually in a large span of territory. Yet the idea has failed to win the public in Pakistan and its principles are not yet induced in the society. Multiethnic, multilingual and socially divided large states, like the one we are living in, though not willingly, prefers a federal system to promote national integrity. The seed of federalism was buried 60 years back, with a hope to see strong roots of united Pakistan. The thought was provoking and revolutionary, but somewhere sometime, it took the wrong turn. The idea of "Conservative Nationalism" takes over every other. Nationalism was portrayed as collective identities towards socially constructed societies, declaring themselves as a "Nation". In some parts of Pakistan, this call of nationalism was reactionary, calling for a revival of national past, and the repulsion of foreigners (the 6 million people that migrated at the time of independence). Some opposes modernism, and love to see things, the way they have been. The scenario in Balochistan revolves around the landlords, who maintain this ideology. Instead of celebrating diversity, people turned up things violently, making the scene of a "culture war". Religious conservatism also rules the thinking of many in our republic. Religious conservatives primarily seek to relate the teachings of particular religions to politics. At further times by having those teachings manipulate laws.
This mentality of the people is not uninfluenced. In our 60 year history, we have a list of incompetitant rulers of the state, who have deled with lenient issues miserably, ending things into conflicts. Many of the actions have lead to create differences among various societies prevailing in Pakistan. Improvement in governance in our system requires strong institutions, competent government, improved rules and regulations, efficient mechanisms at the right place and strong economic growth. The efficient running of the government depends on an energetic parliament, a watchful society aware of its fundamental and social rights, an independent judiciary and a strong media (the four pillars of an establishment). After more than sixty years of independence, most of these basics are utterly missing. Today we find ourselves in a devastating cultural and military mess in Waziristan, the unstable tribal area of Northwest Pakistan. The men in those areas do not have a sense of democracy and justice. All the legal systems are affected by Islamic extremists and the "jirga" system. FATA, the most impecunious part of the nation. Despite being address to 2.4% of Pakistan's population, it makes up only 1.5% of Pakistan's economy.FATA, is just one the examples amongst many in the Federal Republic of Pakistan.30 years of military dictatorship also has it's effects on the nation. Pakistan may be the most comical country, where the people have yet to decide between democracy (federalism) and dictatorship. Democracy should have been the solution, but the fact file of the republic is different. Dictatorship years have been the one with economic stability and peace. While the years following the rule of elected representatives are filled with a great deal of disorder and unrest. A poll result at a media online forum to the question: "Do you feel any difference between democracy and dictatorship" shows:
1. YES - 25 % 2.NO - 75 %
Quaid-i-Azam in his presidential address at the session of the All India Muslim League in Delhi on April 24, 1943 envisioned the Government of Pakistan in the words:
" I have no doubt in my mind, that a large body of us visualize Pakistan as the people's Government. Either you seize it by force or get it by agreement. You will elect your representatives to the constitution making body. You may not know how to use it; this would be your fault. But I am sure, democracy is in our blood, it is in our marrow. Only centuries of adverse circumstances have made the circulation of that blood cold. It has got frozen and your arteries are not functioning. But thank God, the blood circulating again. Thanks to the Muslim League's effort. It will be a people's Government."
We remember every single bit of the great leader, Mohammad Ali Jinnah's statements. Things would have been a lot better if only his plans and dreams had been implemented, if only he had lived a bit longer. Rule of Democracy is in fact the best. We just need to seek out our differences and find the best of leaders among ourselves, who dedicate their lives for the teachings of Jinnah. We are good in blaming the government when we face crisis, instead of looking for an answer to the problem. We need to understand our rights and responsibilities. We need to re think and compromise. Accept others and make way for a "Change". It's very sad to see this entire situation and the worst part is that although we have been handicapped in 1971 we are still raising slogans of ethnicity.
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