The participants of a national workshop about the ‘Quality of Democracy in Pakistan in 2011’ said despite the challenges, the democratic process had moves forward.
PILDAT initiated an empirical assessment of the State of Democracy in 2003. The purpose of the exercise was to give a rational assessment of democracy.
PILDAT Executive Director Ahmed Bilal Mehboob while welcoming the participants said the narrative around Democracy was generally very emotional in the country.
Former National Assembly speaker Illahi Buksh Soomro appreciated PILDAT for organising the workshop.
Gallup Pakistan Chairman Dr Ijaz Shafi Gilani said democracy’s benchmarks include elections, human rights, media and citizenship. He added that although the PPPP should be credited for the improvement in democracy, they have not done so willingly. During the past four years, poor-governance has led to citizens being disenchanted. The fear of the State’s authority has also decreased.
Former Punjab Governor Shahid Hamid said the 18th Amendment restored the Constitution to its original form and initiated the process of devolution. He added that no elected local governments have been established yet. Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu Kashmir were also not fully represented in important bodies such as the Council of Common Interests and intolerance has increased among the masses.
Former Federal Interior Minister Lt Gen (Retd) Moinuddin Haider said no one is willing to derail the system. Local governments are missing from our democratic system. There is a need to encourage a democratic culture so that an appetite for democracy is created. Transparency in elections is primary in any democracy. In this regard, the Election Commission’s reforms should be appreciated.”
Former Information Minister Javed Jabbar said the civil society’s participation had improved because of the vibrant and pluralist news media. However, biases still remained in reporting. He added that a broadcasting media council was needed to implement codes of conduct. He stated that the increase in violent protests was disturbing and showed cultural deterioration.
Former Ambassador Javed Hafeez said the foreign policy had failed to promote peace and security.
MNA from MQM, Fouzia Ejaz Khan said the Parliament’s performance could be improved and that democratic culture should be promoted.
National Assembly Standing Committee on Human rights Chairman MNA Riaz Fatyana said USA and Saudi Arabia had interfered in Pakistan. He added that there was a correlation between democracy and economy and that human rights flourished only in a democracy.
MNA from PML-N Saira Afzal Tarar said one of the threats to democracy was the intolerance of the society, as reflected by the murders of the former Punjab Governor Salman Taseer and former Minorities Minister Shahbaz Bhatti. She stated that women enfranchisement had not been achieved and discrimination against them was on a rise.
MNA Attiya Inayatullah appreciated the PLDAT assessment and said the fault lines in the democracy were the local governments and the absence of community based media. She added that the Election Commission had taken steps against attempts to stop women from voting.
South Asia Strategic Stability Institute Director Maria Sultan said the media has played its part in effective accountability and transparency but public officials flouted the system.
MNA Aftab Shaban Mirani said intolerance in the country was at an all time high. He added that population control was needed as without it, there could be no progress.
The Democracy Assessment Group members who joined the press conference included Former Federal Caretaker Minister Omar Khan Afridi, Dawn Assistant Editor Cyril Almieda, PML-N Senior Vice-President Sartaj Aziz, Former Punjab Governor Dr Parvez Hassan, Supreme Court Senior Advocate Javed Jabbar, Former Information Minister Ghazi Salahuddin, Daily Pakistan Editor in Chief Mujib ur Rehman Shami, Senator S M Zafar, Former Federal Law Minister Ahmed Bilal Mehboob, PILDAT Joint Director.