The prevailing state of political parties in Pakistan is characterized by a notable absence of democratic principles within their structures. With the exception of Jamat-e-Islami, there is a glaring disregard for democratic norms within party hierarchies. I have consistently emphasized, both on screen and in my articles, the imperative necessity of limiting individuals’ tenure within parties.
Specifically, no individual should hold any party position, whether through election or appointment, for more than two terms. Furthermore, individuals who have been unsuccessful in elections should not be permitted to circumvent democratic processes by gaining access to positions of power through Senate tickets, reserved seats, advisory roles, ministerial positions, or any other administrative appointments. This principle must extend even to party leadership roles. Without adhering to these fundamental principles, political parties cannot legitimately claim to be democratic entities. Those incapable of practicing democracy within their own ranks are inherently incapable of making democratic appointments based on merit.
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One of the primary deficiencies within our political parties is the lack of a coherent hierarchical structure. The whims of a single individual can overturn entire policies, whether they pertain to internal party affairs or external matters. Two recent incidents serve as poignant examples of this issue. Firstly, consider the abrupt decision by Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to align with the Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM), instead PTI joined the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC). This sudden shift in alliances not only led to internal discord within PTI but also highlighted the absence of a cohesive policy framework. In a recent vlog with Hussain Haqqani, I alluded to unverified reports suggesting PTI’s potential alignment with MWM, a prediction that has since materialized into reality, however, joining SIC instead. Haqqani rightly pointed out that each party has its own policy guidelines, and PTI’s attempt to navigate unfamiliar political terrain would inevitably encounter challenges.
LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGjs10YNcos
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There are divergent views by PTI leaders, some say Khan did not wish to join SIC but MWM. Others disagree. This underscores PTI’s struggle to maintain a consistent and coherent approach, revealing a significant deficit in hierarchical organization.
As a second illustration, consider the case of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). Despite Ishaq Dar’s demonstrable failure as Finance Minister, he was inexplicably rewarded with continued prominence within the party. This raises questions about accountability and the responsible utilization of taxpayer resources. Similarly, the elevation of Saira Afzal Tarar to a reserved seat in the National Assembly, following her electoral defeat in NA-67 Hafizabad, directly contravenes democratic principles and undermines the integrity of the electoral process.
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The pervasive absence of democratic norms within Pakistani political parties undermines the legitimacy of their governance and erodes public trust. Urgent reforms are needed to instill accountability, transparency, and adherence to democratic principles within party structures. Without such reforms, the aspirations of a truly democratic Pakistan will remain elusive.
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The writer is a lawyer, academic and political analyst. She has authored a book titled ‘A Comparative Analysis of Media & Media Laws in Pakistan.’ She can be contacted at: yasmeenali62@gmail.com and tweets at @yasmeen_9
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None of our political parties is democratic in its true sense n character. All of these parties are one man or one family show. Democracy is used as an attractively befooling slogan to grab powers for self, family n friends.