With the people of Pakistan and politcal leaders yawning for a democraticaly elevted government, looking at the past performance of the Country, it is feared by many that such desires of them is a distant dream. Here are the reasons atrributed by the analysts as to why democracy in the present framework cannot survive or it would be shortlived even if a restoration takes place.
1.There is ample evidence in the past to prove that power never changes hand in Pakistan and it isonly the victims. Within five years after partition, Liaqat AliKhan, the country’s first appointed Primeminister was shot dead and no one was charged for his murder. In 1975, Zulfar Ali Bhutto, the first democratically elected leader of Pakistan was hanged by the military regime of Gen Zia Ul Haq. Both his younger and elder sons were killed and assassinated respectively. And the latest in the series is Ms.Benazir Bhutto. Thus politicians who vouch for democracy are either dismissed or deported or still worse dispensed away once for all which by far appears to be most preferred method.
2.Pakistan has been reeling under an ever escalating violence. Subsequent to the murder of Ms.Bhuto, people took to the street, businesses were set to aflame and life came literally to a standstill. Even the Punjab Province which otherwise is calm, witnessed terror attacks with a suicde bomber exlpoding himeself in front of the High Court killing 22 people most of them lawyers and policemen.
3.The Pakistan Government remains a mute witness to these happneings and it has not been in a postion to porivde safety even to its leaders leave alon the people. Its writ over governence is weakening day by day.
IS THERE A SALVATION?: There has been in the recent past signlas towards the process of democratization. The grassroot level movement got a fillip with the Lawyers coming out openly seeking judicial reforms inclduing an independant judiciary. There are more than 20 channels beaming news, views and interviews round the clock. But unfortunately their voices get muffled either by imposition of an emergency or by shutting the channels from broadcasting.
With this scenario, there appears to be little scope for a salvation;but, the analysts observe such a salvation can take place only when the people are empowered. Thus, until then the prospect of Democracy surviving in Pakistan appear very bleak.