Rescuing democracy-Author – Dr Niaz Murtaza

Our democracy, sadly, seems to be on life support, crippled by both internal rot and external meddling. Despite lofty claims, we’ve never truly witnessed the essential duo of fair elections and genuine civilian authority in tandem. As unelected powers continue to pull the strings behind the curtain, cosmetic legal reforms are little more than band-aids on a bullet wound. Without mass public mobilisation, like that seen in Sindh or in neighbouring countries, meaningful democratic progress is a pipe dream. We must turn the tide by pushing for deep-rooted reforms—civilian oversight of intelligence, better transparency in caretaker setups, and stricter merit-based political appointments. Otherwise, the same old circus of patronage and populism will keep dragging us down the rabbit hole.

Power, in our context, is concentrated so tightly in the federal executive’s grip that both horizontal and vertical diffusion of authority has become a forgotten tale. The judiciary now bends under executive weight, and local governance remains toothless. Constitutional cracks keep triggering crises—from dissident votes to party leadership monopolies—while the unelected elite continue to play musical chairs with democracy. To right the ship, we must rewrite outdated rules, empower local bodies, ensure resource ownership for provinces, and create inclusive representation. Citizens’ groups must rally around a fresh charter for democracy and governance before the remnants of civilian authority are swallowed whole.

Overview:

The article critically examines the erosion of democratic structures in Pakistan, stressing how unelected powers and flawed legal frameworks undermine governance. It calls for both legal reforms and civic mobilisation to restore the core democratic principles of fair elections, civilian supremacy, and merit-based political systems.

NOTES:

This article presents a nuanced understanding of Pakistan’s constitutional and governance challenges, offering analytical depth and reform-oriented solutions. Aspirants can use it to build structured arguments on federalism, judicial independence, local government reforms, electoral processes, and the need for democratic accountability. It also supports debate preparation for constitutional amendments, civil-military imbalance, and electoral transparency.

CSS syllabus-related topics:

• Pakistan Affairs – Civil-military relations, Electoral Reforms, Governance issues
• Political Science – Democracy, Political Institutions, Federalism
• Current Affairs – Political instability, Democratic decay
• Public Administration – Civil services reforms, Local government structure

Notes for beginners:

In simple terms, democracy is like a system where people get to choose their leaders and hold them accountable. But in Pakistan, the system often behaves like a puppet show, where invisible hands (unelected powers) control outcomes. For instance, intelligence agencies have unchecked influence, and judges are often appointed based on loyalty rather than merit. A healthy democracy should work like a balanced meal—everyone gets their share of power and responsibility. However, here, the federal government eats the whole pie, leaving provinces and local governments hungry. An example is the Seraiki region’s demand for a separate province, which stems from decades of neglect. Similarly, civil service reforms are needed so officials are hired based on skills, not connections.

Facts and figures:

• Around 35% of Senate and reserved seats are filled without direct elections.
• The 26th Amendment further curtailed judicial independence.
• Citizens’ groups and regional protests like those in Sindh show growing public frustration with centralised control.
• The article urges at least 15-20% legislative representation for non-elite candidates.
• Pakistan’s provinces still lack constitutional control over their own natural resources.

To sum up, this article is a wake-up call that lays bare the rot at the heart of Pakistan’s political system. It doesn’t just analyze but also charts a roadmap for reclaiming democratic space through legal reforms and civic awakening. If democracy is to be rescued, then the time to act is now, not tomorrow.