80 Years On, Questions Remain Over Governance and Democracy in Pakistan: Ghareeda Farooqi

ISLAMABAD: Analyst Ghareeda Farooqi has said that even 80 years after Pakistan’s independence, questions continue to be raised about the effectiveness of the country’s system of governance and democracy.

Speaking during a television programme, she said debate was still ongoing over whether democracy had delivered meaningful benefits to the people, what the public had gained from the democratic system, and whether the existing system was capable of resolving the country’s problems.

Farooqi said questions were also being raised about whether Pakistan should create new provinces, establish new administrative units, or adopt other approaches to improve governance.

She noted that almost all major political parties in Pakistan had been tested in government over the past eight decades. Some had remained in power for longer periods, while others governed for shorter durations. The country had also experienced martial law, military dictatorships and a presidential system during this period.

She said the fundamental question remained whether the existing democratic system, described as a system of the people, had delivered tangible benefits to the public over the past 80 years, and whether the same debate would continue for another 80 years.

According to Farooqi, Pakistan’s biggest challenge at present was its economic system, which was not functioning effectively. However, she described the government’s performance on other fronts, particularly foreign affairs, as impressive and noteworthy.

She said Pakistan’s international standing had continued to improve following what she described as the country’s defeat of its main adversary, India, in the recent “Battle of Truth.”

Farooqi said the recently concluded Makkah Defence Agreement should also be viewed in this broader context. Defence agreements and security matters were part of foreign policy, she said, adding that Pakistan was currently performing well in terms of defence and diplomacy.

However, she said the situation appeared different when Pakistan’s internal conditions, economy and social structure were assessed.

She pointed out that more than 60% to 65% of Pakistan’s population consisted of young people, but questioned whether the country’s youth had genuine hope for their own future and the future of Pakistan.

According to Farooqi, the answer appeared to be negative.

She also stressed the need for greater political reconciliation, saying that on August 13, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) attempted to arrange a meeting with its founder Imran Khan, but the meeting did not take place.

Farooqi said allowing a family member or lawyer to meet Imran Khan around Independence Day would not have caused any harm. Instead, she argued, such a step could have promoted political reconciliation and been viewed as a positive development for the government.

She noted that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi travelled from Peshawar to Adiala Jail, remained there and repeatedly appealed for permission to meet Imran Khan.

She said the chief minister had even given an assurance that no one would make political statements after the meeting and had urged the government to allow someone to meet Imran Khan.

Farooqi said political parties themselves were also facing numerous divisions, differences and internal rifts. Pakistan, she added, was currently experiencing an atmosphere of political distrust, making the creation of political harmony a major challenge for the country.