Pakistan is one of the 10 worst-performing countries in the world for democratic governance
- We must learn from countries that practice true democratic values like Norway, Sweden, Canada, and Germany
By Hamid Khan
Democracy is mainly a Greek word which means “rule by the people.” In a democratic system, people have the right to choose their own government through elections.
The term democracy is often used in different ways, but it generally has two major aspects: procedural democracy and social democracy. Procedural democracy focuses on holding regular elections, while social democracy means equal participation in power and reducing inequality among people.
The philosophical foundation of democracy is based on the idea of popular sovereignty, where the authority of the government comes from the consent of the governed. Greece was the first country in the world to practice democracy. In democratic governance, people elect representatives who run the government according to the people’s mandate. Democracy demands equal opportunities, protection of the law, and justice for all.
As per the Constitution of Pakistan Article 25, “All citizens are equal before the law.” Democracy is not just about voting; it’s also about protecting human rights, freedom of speech, and a fair legal system. According to American philosopher John Dewey, “Democracy is the most desirable form of government because it alone provides the kinds of freedom necessary for individual self-development and growth.”
In a true democracy, there is separation of powers, independent judiciary, and a system of checks and balances among government institutions. These features protect citizens from injustice and abuse of power.
Liberal democracy is a form of democracy that emphasizes individual rights, equality, and freedom of speech, free markets, and the rule of law. It promotes peace and cooperation at both national and international levels. Democracy is one of the most important values that a society can promote. It allows people to have a voice and shape their own future. However, in Pakistan, democracy is facing serious challenges.
According to the Economist Intelligence Unit’s Democracy Index 2024, Pakistan ranks 124th out of 167 countries with a score of 2.84, and is now categorized as an authoritarian regime. This is a drop from its previous ranking, making Pakistan one of the 10 worst-performing countries in the world for democratic governance. This poor ranking highlights:
– Unfair elections
– Political repression
– Lack of judicial independence
– Violation of civil liberties and freedom of speech
In Pakistan, many government departments suffer from political interference. Politicians often use their power to influence civil bureaucracy, where rules and merit are ignored. If a person belongs to a political party they are often given special treatment, even if they break laws or ignore procedures. This leads to the:
– Lack of accountability
– Collapse of institutional integrity
– Loss of public trust in the system
Due to political interference, departmental honor is damaged, and people start losing respect for these institutions. The distance between government departments and ordinary citizens keeps increasing.
Need for True Democracy
Our beloved leader Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah once said:
“You are the servants of the people. Always remember that you are here to serve the people, not to rule over them.”
Unfortunately, today many government officials and politicians have forgotten this message. Without free and fair elections, independent judiciary, merit based system, and public accountability, we cannot achieve real democracy.
We must learn from countries that practice true democratic values like Norway, Sweden, Canada, and Germany. These countries have:
– Honest and impartial governance
– Rule of law
– Strong institutions
– Respect for human rights
If Pakistan wants to progress, it must adopt true democracy where:
– People’s rights are protected
– Elections are fair
– Institutions are free from political pressure
– Law applies equally to all citizens
Democracy is the only solution to Pakistan’s problems whether it’s injustice, corruption, unemployment, or inequality.
Read: Democracy is Breathing Its Last!
_________________
Hamid Khan, hailing from Bannu, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, is Student of BS Political Science at International Islamic University, Islamabad
