Pakistan: Does it's a real restoration of democracy ?

First, let me congratulate the people of Pakistan, who have come forward against all the threats posed by Jihadist elements and have restored their faith in democracy. They know and have learnt from their elder brother that Democracy can only lead them to development and can provide stability. Though there is all together praising in world media about the transition of civilian government to another for the first time in Pakistan, but I am certainly apprehensive does it is a real restoration of democracy?

For me democracy means just not the rule of the people, but it should be a harmonious rule of the people of all communities of all faith, caste and creed. Majority dominance in the polity at the cost of minorities is not a democracy. Democracy should not only be done but it should be seen to be done. But whether this is reflecting in Pakistan? My answer is No. Let me put some pointers here.

Firstly, If you look at the Pakistan’s elections results it is not that a national party is coming into power but a regional party who is coming into central power. Nawaz Sharif’s party PML-N has performed well only in Punjab and has acquired most of the seats in western Punjab which has the highest share of 183 seats in 372 member assembly. Similarly PPP of Zardari has done well only in Sindh. In Balochistan, none of these parties have performed well. So this shows that the people are divided on the ethnic ground and there are certain chances of Punjabi Dominance in the government structure, thereby sidelining the other ethnic communities of Pakistan especially Balochs who have been demanding for the separate nation since Pakistan’s formation. Balochs have always alleged their resources’ exploitation by the politicians of Western Punjab and these results would give more impetus to such claims. So, Nawaz Sharif will have a challenge to the address the grievances of the Balochs against the wishes of his own constituency of Punjab.

Secondly, the rights of minorities not only Hindus but the Muslims like Shias and Ahmedis will be in jeopardy. Shipa-e-shabha and Lashker –e-jhangvi : these are the two notorious Jihadist elements who are working against the minorities especially Shias and Ahmedis. All recent attacks on Shias in Pakistan which has claimed around 500 lives was claimed by these group openly. Their leaders are openly giving speeches in Punjab without any fear of Law. Their main agenda is to make Pakistan – A Sunni and Salafi Pakistan. These groups have given open support to the PML-N in these elections. Similarly the notorious Tehreek-e-Taliban has given tacit support to PML-N and PTI of Imran khan by issuing advisory (fatwa) against the other parties calling them liberal and secular. Imran khan has openly claimed that their party is not seeking the votes of Ahmedis as he believes in Allah and Ahmedis are infidels. This shows that these election results will strengthen the hands of radicals in Pakistan which is not good for India too. Hafiz Saeed, the most wanted terrorist has his considerable footprint in Lahore and Punjab. So it will again be a challenge to Nawaz Sharif when he will deal with India. Though in his rallies and post election rally, he has announced that he will help India by conducting joint investigation on 26/11 but we have to wait for his tall claims to fruitify.

Thirdly, there are allegations and supportive evidences that Pakistani military has manipulated the election’s results in favor of Nawaz Sharif with the help of Jihadi elements and by rigging. Pakistan’s Military always want this government to be subservient to them in matters of defence and Foreign policy. Nawaz Sharif will not have a free hand in these matters in future. Any curtailing of power of army will lead to a coup or army sponsored fall of Government, since this government is short of majority.

I guess all these factors have made me to conclude that Pakistan’s Democracy transition will only strengthen the radicals and military rather than empowering the common people. I pray for Pakistan, the day it will emerge as a true democracy. Something what happened in Turkey in last decade, I would like to see such transition in Pakistan. Amen, it will happen as my optimism says.