Feudal Lords continue to dominate the ‘democratic’ system

Is there hope that the common man may lead?

President of Awami Worker Party (AWP),Yousuf Mastikhan says, “A nation cannot progress if feudalism still exists.”

The democratic framework in Pakistan is compelled by a huge number of causes, feudalism being a major one which undermines popular government and impedes social balance. Politicians tend to depict as though a democratic government is the best framework. Feudalism, is then frequently utilised as an umbrella term to portray power structure within a rural society.

Feudalism has been going on for years before partition and after partition it was transferred to independent Pakistan and damaged the democracy internally.

According to statistical reports, 80 per cent of people elected as representatives in Punjab are feudal lords, whereas in Sindh the number hits 90 per cent. Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Jahangir Tareen and the newly elected Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah are to name a few.

Earlier, Pakistan witnessed the first chapter of dictatorship soon after its inception. It was initially governed by civil, military and bureaucrats under the oligarchic and authoritarian traditions. Then came the era of the 70’s that paved the way for a democratic system in the state.

Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), which came in power with the proper electoral process, but right after that a dominating majority of feudal lords was witnessed in the legislative houses. These lords, with the passage of time, have assumed and established their identity as political leaders.

“These ‘feudal’ lords are well connected in the socio-political circles, giving them a form of authoritarian power in the government,” said Imtiaz Gul, Executive Director of Centre for Research and Security Studies, over the phone to DNA.

“We cannot constitutionally bar feudal lords as they are the social instruments of political power,” explained Gul.

“However, with the coming generations being more politically aware and apprised, there is hope for eventual change,” he added.

The majority of members in Senate and National Assembly (NA) come from agriculture background, however, some of them are ‘feudal lords’ owning massive lands suggesting that the legislation is still dominated by them.

Feudalism is driven by principles of individualism, oppression, bondage, slavery. Whereas, democracy is driven by principles of participation, peace, equality, pluralism and freedom. Yet, it has been observed that the nature of the legislative system of the country is non democratic.

For instance, Pakistan Muslim League, which laid the foundation of Pakistan, was almost wholly dominated by feudal lords such as the Zamindars, Jagirdars, Nawabs, Nawabzadas, Mansabdars, Arbabs, Makhdooms, and Sardars.

Qauid-e-Azam, however, was an exception as he came from a family of merchants and lawyers, and now the Sharif’s, who are industrialists with majority of party members belonging to a feudal background. This suggests that Pakistan’s major political parties are feudal-oriented.

Democracy in Pakistan has become a slogan of exploitation for there are landless and illiterate peasants and those whose social status is not more than a slave.

For a successful democratic nation, constitutional changes have to be made as democracy and feudalism cannot work together.

President of Awami Worker Party (AWP),Yousuf Mastikhan says, “A nation cannot progress if feudalism still exists.”

The failure of democracy has been because of the socio-political system of the country. And without a democratic government, the public won’t have ready access to justice, social welfare and security.

But in the current setup, the government has not made any such integrated package for the nation.

On the other hand, corruption and embezzlement are at full blast and there is no security for the people.

Almost 70 per cent of Pakistan’s population is living life in feudal traditions. This is due to the lack of education within peasants and their fear of their apathetic landlord remains.

“Part of the facade is that in functional this is a democratic state, but in spirit it’s not,” Gul commented.

“Pakistan’s society will remain within the tribal mindset unless the people become independent or have an economic status,” he added.

The feudal of their area get elected unopposed from any party they stand for. This is because most of the people remain uneducated and unaware of political policies, which in turn makes it easier for the feudal lords to persuade the people into voting for them in their specific hometown as people are not able to vote freely as they are the ‘kings’ of their area.

Thus, they are unable to evaluate the credibility of their ‘leaders’. There should be social equality, justice and rule of law across the country. Irrespective of their social status and level of wealth, all the citizens should be considered equally accountable of their deeds.

One among the reasons which has made India to emerge as democratic polity is that it has eradicated feudalism from its politics.

“In theory, feudal lords do represent obstruction to democracy, but in practice, it can be decreased as people get a chance to educate themselves.”

After partition, when Ayoub Khan was President and Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto was Prime Minister, both tried to introduce land reforms to decrease the hold of feudalism, which were ineffective.

“Big land holdings not necessarily cause obstruction in the democracy,” Gul told DNA.

“In Punjab the voting system works within ‘Biradaris’ and has nothing to do with big land holdings.”

This feudal society in Pakistan has introduced non-democratic trends in the political culture, obstructing the development of participatory culture.

Furthermore, it is also been obstructing free and independent choice of public in elections as the public remains uneducated about democracy.

“In theory, feudal lords do represent obstruction to democracy, but in practice, it can be decreased as people get a chance to educate themselves.”

In light of that, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is an example that feudalism is not the only reason for bad democracy in Pakistan. Nawaz Sharif comes from an industrial background and is not a feudal lord, but is still seen as an obstruction to democracy. Democracy can’t exist in spirit, if the same feudals are elected every five years. Feudalism or say it capitalism in our political-economic system has been a root of majority of the problems in the country.