Arooj Naveed
The government of PTI was confronted with internal challenges when it came into power during 2018. How did democracy transform from then on till 2020 and will Pakistan’s Democratic Party (PDM) “politics of chaos” pave way for another military takeover? A recent publication by Dr. Muhammad Ali Ehsan “2018-2020: Two Years of Democracy in Pakistan” answers these questions. In an interview, Arooj Naveed speaks to the author to address these questions:
Q1. Your current publication talks about Pakistan’s Democratic journey in Pakistan. How has democracy in Pakistan transformed over the past two years?
Ans: It hasn’t transformed but I would say that it is in a state of transition. The mere fact that the two major political parties could not form a government at Center and a third political force electorally defeated them speaks of the changing nature of democracy in Pakistan. At the heart of this change are the people of Pakistan and what kind of democracy they want will be decided in the current year. If they wish to have an impersonal state governed on merit they will have to wish adieu to the politics of patronage. The patrimonial state created by the two major political parties has badly harmed the system of governance in this country. The show is on and the PDM versus government conflict will be a true decider on which way the democracy of this country heads.
Q2. What factors have played an important role in this transformation?
Ans: Although the transformation is not complete but if we consider the democratic transition to be truly a process that would fulfil the ruler and the rules social contract than the fight for such a change is on. The most important factor is the will of the people- what do they want? The second important factor is the political leadership’s resolve, how determined it is to stand by its agenda of change and demonstrate the continued resilience to push its agenda forward. The third factor would be the role of Pakistan’s establishment in how it supports the process of democratic transition. Most importantly the democratic accountability must proceed forward with full pace and there should be no let up in the process of accountability of people who have looted and plundered the wealth of this country.
Q3. Your book dedicates a special section to Civil-Military Relations? Do you view this relationship as having been upset or having come together as a unified effort, strengthening civil-military balance?
Ans : Well the biggest gain in the last two years of democracy has been in the area of civil- military relations. PM Imran Khans PTI government enjoys very good relations with the military establishment and the joint understanding of both is resulting in some very productive external policy making. The political credibility and popularity of Imran Khan is a plus whereas the doubt and suspicion created by the previous leaders heading the governments undermined Pakistan’s standing in the outside world. I think there is a definite positive synergy between the civil and military functions and this will continue to foster in the years to come. In this is only good news for Pakistan.
Q4. You mention in your book that “politics is being rotting away.” If that’s true will Pakistan be witnessing another military takeover?
Ans: Outrightly one cannot rule this possibility out but like I wrote in my book both the internal and external conditions are no more favourable for any military takeover. The military has been seeking a stable political system for a very long time now. However more than creating a system that should benefit the state the politics in this country is more inclined to create a system that benefits the continuity of hereditary politics with power rested with two houses of Zardari’s and Sharifs.
How politics in Pakistan must change to benefit the state and it’s people and not just few political families is a political idea that is at the heart of democratic conflict in this country.
The military has taken a clear position and wants to stand up with the constitution of the country. The battle for the supremacy of the constitution should ideally be fought in the Parliament but since the PDM has brought the conflict out on the streets it would really depend on how it finally unfolds and what shapes it. That will determine which side the military will take. One thing is certain when it comes to the matter of national security, military will not hesitate for a moment to cut down and stand with the government to prevent any violent attempts to challenge the writ of the government. One can only hope that such an eventuality doesn’t take place and politics itself doesn’t present to military the conditions for a compulsive military take over.
