Democracy is in danger yet again

By Barrister Amjad Malik chair APL

Democracy is in danger from within and outer forces is my hunch. Militancy of mind and reports of the presence of ISIS in Pakistan whether right or wrong cannot be digested lightly and it's implications are far more complicated for Pakistan. Continued protests without clear objective carrying youth, women and establishment with it are warning signs of dangers ahead. When protestors carrying busses and trucks enter the parliament breaking its gate uninterruptedly, rest is history. Status quo wins when it does not support govt of the day in stopping those violators entering Ptv building and give impression of sitting premier as a lame duck when Chinese president cancels it's visit to the capital. Government is entangled in the circles by shrewd bureaucracy and no agenda of any govt can be implemented or completed in the atmosphere of fear, coup and death and all three can not be ruled out post model town & Islambad events.

History wants to get out of us but we do not get out of it easily or donot want to get out too and we never learn any lesson from it either. Democracy is as in danger as was in 1977 from democrats as well as from anti democratic forces and there is always new plan, platform and fictitious mechanism and arrangements to promote status quo.

Democratic forces can strengthen democracy by injecting the country with more democracy, governance & performance. Political leaders should not be shy away from democracy itself . Pakistan needs democracy to survive in the community of nation with honour as a respected nation and progressive, economically viable and tolerant Pakistan is the way forward than the dictatorship one.

Govt must ignore dharna baz and sponsored spectators and eye on real unrest and genuine youth aloof from the real issues and engulfed in genuine Grievances about the state. Each house is incubating a volcano and if it erupts it will smite govt as well as masterminds of protestors as no one is in able state to deliver fully on promises made to public or claims hurled at protesting centres and or from container.

Thrice prime minister Nawaz Sharif a larger than life leader must act on his economic agenda and continue swiftly but must come up with crash announcements in limited time frame giving relief to common man, announcements on his reforms agenda and quick decision to end delay syndrome which his administration is marred with in last 18 months rule. He should keep a tag on his administration performance as he is trying to make his cabinet accountable and work by deadlines rest leave on history as his work alone will be remembered and will be his asset or his performance record.his arms are being twisted and how he gets out is and will be his wisdom test. I can only wish 'Good luck democracy' as nation's fate lies in it, not in dictatorship.

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