Polasaidh Poileasaidh ann an Pakistan

Polarized Politics: Issues and Challenges of Democracy in Pakistan

• Introduction:
  • Democracy, according to Abraham Lincoln, is government of the people, by the people, and for the people.
  • Polarized politics has risen in Pakistan due to various factors.
  • Thesis statement: Polarized politics creates significant issues and challenges for democracy in Pakistan.

Meaning of Polarized Politics

• Definition: Polarized politics is a political state where society is deeply divided along political lines, often characterized by conflict and mistrust.

Challenges of Democracy in Pakistan

• Literacy rate: The literacy rate in Pakistan is only 62.8% (2021-2022) according to the Economic Survey of Pakistan. This low literacy impacts people’s political awareness.
• Political awareness: There's a noticeable lack of awareness regarding political processes and issues amongst citizens.
• Dynastic politics: Dominance of the Muslim League (PML-N) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) exemplify dynastic political systems, where political power is passed down through families. Personalized politics (like Tehreek-e-Insaf -PTI) further exemplifies this pattern.
• Free and fair elections: Pakistan has experienced problematic elections, lacking free and fair conditions, which damages the democratic process. Intra-party elections are also a component, with similar issues.
• Violation of Political Parties Act 2017: Violation of Section 208 of the Political Parties Act of 2017 poses another challenge.
• Regional political parties: Pakistani regional political parties face challenges as they compete with national parties.

Way Forward for Democracy in Pakistan

• The essay will outline the issues and challenges for democracy in Pakistan. It will suggest avenues for improvement and solutions.

Conclusion

• The essay emphasizes that no ruler is good enough to govern others without their consent.
• Polarized politics, low literacy rates, dynastic politics, and the absence of equitable elections pose significant threats to Pakistan's democracy.
• The text recommends educating masses, strengthening democratic norms, and focusing on fair elections to counter these challenges.