Why democracy and martial law have both failed in Pakistan

CHITRAL: We have experienced Democratic periods and Martial law eras taking turns in Pakistan ever since independence. We have also seen that both the dispensations have brought nothing but misery to the country in one form or the other. A school of thought believes that democracy has not been given a fair chance due to abrupt military interventions. The thought may not be as valid as it appears to be prima facie. As an example we can consider the provincial government in KP province governing the province for the last ten years with a two third majority. What more chance does democracy need to prove itself here. Is the performance of the government appreciable by any standard? Isn’t corruption as much in practice as it was before? Isn’t the matters of governance as good or as bad as other times when democratic governments had hiccups and short stints?

The problem is actually with the people. Whether they constitute democratic governments or military dictatorships, the people in power (representing the society at large ) are dishonest people who do not care about right or wrong. The point to ponder is, why are the people so weak in the strength of their character? because they have never been taught to be good human beings. At home parents do not emphasize character building in their children, in schools and colleges teachers don’t consider it important to teach ethics and principles. Worst of all the religious preachers and prayer leaders (whom we turn to for all advices regarding how to go to jannat) never consider it important to even mention moral science. The result is a nation which considers dishonesty a normal and acceptable practice.

Having being nurtured in a way mentioned above, how can it be expected that rulers whether democratically elected or who bulldoze themselves in with guns, will deliver to make the country strong and respectable. Therefore preferring one system over the other given the ground realities, would be a futile wish.

The seeming way out, where Pakistan can breathe some fresh air is to adopt the system of Meritocracy  At least it will bring in talented persons selected through a transparent merit system, in place of the two rotten systems we are caught in between, although it may not completely cater for the gross moral decadence of the society. .. CN report, 04 Jan 2022.