Can anyone deny that democracy in Pakistan has always been dysfunctional? One only wishes one could. It is true down the core that unfortunately democracy in this country, for whatever period and in whatever shape it existed, has been a non-performing democracy. Who should be held responsible for this – the politicians, the bureaucracy or the people? If this vital issue is put to vote, the spontaneous response would naturally be the politicians. Undoubtedly, the politicians must be held ultimately responsible for the failure of democracy to deliver.
Can we, however, acknowledge the fact that there are other players too who are equally responsible for the failure of democracy deliver. The bureaucracy of Pakistan is equally responsible for the poor or non-performance of democracy in this country. Like the politicians the bureaucracy of this country by not performing well has always invited the undemocratic forces to dislodge successive elected governments. People themselves are also partly responsible for the deep mess this country is in today. In a democratic dispensation it is the people who elect and place their representatives at the helm to govern the country.
M FAZAL ELAHI
Islamabad
