The future of democracy in Pakistan is an important question that comes to mind due to the recent political climate in the country. Before that, we need to understand what is essential for democracy in a country. A nation with a democratic process and cultural acceptance maintains democracy. Mutual commitment to democratic norms and values and the evolution of democratic ideals sustain democracy in any culture or civilization.
The rise of the coinage system led to an increase in wealth and middle-class dominance in politics. Similarly, democratic ideals are the only system that recognizes human identity and fundamental rights.
Democracy is a process that grows over time as more people accept their place in society. Democracy probably has a future because Pakistani society is more aware than ever before thanks to media literacy. A rough and rugged road is used to solve democracy’s equation. It is undeniable that democracy has achieved a significant position in our society, despite the difficulties. The trajectory of democracy in Pakistan has faced many obstacles, but democracy has survived as a political system. This means that Pakistan has a future in democracy. Due to institutional imbalance and undemocratic forces, the path to democracy in Pakistan is challenging. Nonetheless, the rising middle class’s awareness and digital activism throughout Pakistan make the future of democracy attainable. One step toward achieving democratic ideals in Pakistan is the growing middle class’s demand for political space.
The globalization of knowledge and ideas exchange makes the widespread celebration of democratic principles possible. Pakistani democracy remained constrained, but recent shifts and transformations established the likelihood of a democratic government. With the emergence of new values and vibrant social forces, democracy has a future in Pakistan.
The rise in media literacy and digital accountability makes possible the probability of a democratic Pakistan. There were significant disagreements between citizens and institutions in the past. The direct access of citizens to any institution increased as a result of the digital platforms like Pakistan Citizen Portal. This institutional accessibility bolsters the citizen’s confidence in the state.
In any democratic nation, trust is essential. By simply registering a complaint on such digital platforms, citizens can now express their dissatisfaction online. There was less distance between the state and its subjects. The increasing digital accountability and accessibility paves road to Pakistan’s inevitable democratic transition.
According to a report, 42% of Pakistan’s population falls into the middle class. Economic participation and political consciousness rise when the middle class emerges in any nation. The economically independent class requires politicla space. The groups have a propensity to construct rhetoric of democracy.
In recent years, people have been able to interact with brand-new concepts, knowledge, and values thanks to social media. These values influenced the general perception of people for democracy. Through social media, people were able to interact with people of different cultures and ideas. Additionally, undemocratic ideals were once celebrated. The hallmark of probable democracy in Pakistan is the shifting paradigm of a psychological shift in the society of Pakistan.
Samuel E. Fine outlined five levels of undemocratic forces that can intervene in any society’s civil politics. He argued that levels 4 and 5 violate democratic principles. It halts any nation’s democratic progress. Level 4 undemocratic institutions do not directly intervene in Pakistan’s post-2010 community; level 5 is martial law. Undemocratic forces of today only use operational tactics to influence or extort civilian governments, which is disturbing but tolerable. An encouraging sign for the likelihood of democracy in Pakistan is the decreasing influence of undemocratic forces.
To argue that democracy has a future in Pakistan, the ongoing democratic transition there is an excellent indicator. Additionally, all of the transitions from PPP to PML(N), then to PTI and later to PDM, were made possible by democratic means. In Pakistan’s political system, this democratic transition and the diminishing influence of other institutions are significant.
Pakistan’s democracy faces particular difficulties, such as passive acceptance of diversity and pluralism. Diversity and pluralism are crucial components of the democratic state. Problematic is the ongoing struggle to homogenize culture, values, and art. Democracy is all about having different standards and celebrating differences. Any democracy is built on dissent and positive nonconformism. Dissent is routinely marginalized by a variety of institutional mechanisms, resulting in Pakistan’s democratic deficit. If dissent and different ideals from various sections of society are celebrated, democracy in Pakistan will mature.
Lastly, democracy is a process that grows over time as more people accept their place in society. Democracy probably has a future because Pakistani society is more aware than ever before. It is undeniable that democracy has achieved a significant position in our society, despite the difficulties. Because democracy is the only viable political option in Pakistan, Pakistan has a bright future.