TheNews Blog

D for Democracy

Hammad Siddiqui on 12, Jan 2012 | 3 Comments | in Category: Hyde-Park

Hammad Siddiqui

Don’t Push Me to Pay Tax!

Rate this blog:

(No Ratings Yet)

Loading ...

Are we still running the Beta version of Democracy?

On 15^th September, I asked my facebook friends a simple question:

Today is UN International Day of Democracy. How did Pakistan celebrate the Day of Democracy?

The most interesting response I received was: “We are still running the Beta version of Democracy ”

Not encouraging at all!

Pakistan together with other democratic countries celebrated the International Day of Democracy. This day is celebrated on 15^th September and its purpose is to encourage governments around the world to strengthen programs devoted to democracy.

This year, in his message, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said:

“On this International Day of Democracy, lets us redouble our efforts to support all people, in particular the young – the drivers of this year’s momentous events – in making democracy a working reality.. This day belongs to them. Let us honor their commitment to a lifelong journey in democracy.”

This message to world leaders was loud and clear – Future of democracy is in the hands of our youth!

I was born in 1964, can’t classify myself under “Youth”. But in recently, I have been heavily interacting with youth from across Pakistan, both from well off and economically deprived classes. I generally seek their input on their understanding of what democracy means to them. Having listened to a wide cross-section of youth, I am afraid; the situation is not encouraging at all! Pakistani Youth is quite confused with the term “democracy”.

It is appreciated that right from its independence in 1947 democracy has been on rollercoaster in Pakistan. Three military takeovers not only destroyed our institutions, also so called democracy imposed by military dictators confused Pakistanis with the true meanings and feelings of democracy. However, during democratic governments also, the true concept and culture of democracy was not developed. Perhaps, democratic governments used the opportunity and promoted their own values rather than promoting the concept of democracy!

Some readers may disagree with me, but the fact of the matter is that none of our major political parties have had formal elections in the past, and I do not foresee party election in the future too! Moreover, in Pakistan politics has become family business! Most politicians encourage their younger siblings to take charge of their regional politics, hence discouraging an average youngster to take part in the political process.

Having said that, Pakistan was part of celebrations on International Day of Democracy! We had a message from our President which was surprisingly not in line with UN Vision! If political stalwarts, particularly those in power, really want to strengthen democracy in Pakistan, they will need to focus on engaging youth in the democratic process. Otherwise, hopes will never materialize!

You might also like:

Karachi or life
Last few days have been horrendous ...

American Adventure of a 16 years old Pakistani!
“Nobody listens to Bhai Sahib in yo...

We (Pakistani) are More Civilized!
We Pakistani are always label as un...

A Tribute to the Sons of the Soil
I ask for nothing more Than to die...

« Where Pakistan-America Relations are Heading?

The Downside of Martyrdom »

M.Saeed

We are definitely not a serious nation. Our self proclaimed leaders use all sorts of means and devices to demonize us and we still welcome them again and again in our perplexing despair. Our checkered history is replete with horrible stories of tactics employed by the feudal lords, as well as other self serving politicians for self enrichment, resorting to all sorts of oblique practices, going to the limits of snatching away every human and living rights of their ruled. They openly suppress and squeeze their people beyond all limits of human endurance and do not allow them even to cry in pains. But still, they vote them to mule again and again, only with added vengeance on every return. This is not Democracy by any definition. It is a rule of Demons on humans and can only be called, “Demon-cracy”.

We need a super-human power to fight these Demons. What ever you try, these Demons are practically, always there in the driving seat and craft and create all the opportunity for their own enrichment in the name of “development” which is anything but development. As we have a habit of perpetuating tried and failed hands again and again, we always fall to their empty promises and get hallucinated, giving robbers all the chances in the world to return as angels and shower us with their hard-robbed treasures stashed abroad.

I sincerely believe that, as a nation, we desperately need a “serious and thoroughly comprehensive surgical operation”, to cleanse the nation of all ailments bedeviling its health and growth. Today, we are training all of our sensing capabilities on Imran Khan, thinking that he is the only capable surgeon having all necessary capabilities at his disposal to undertake and carry out such an intricate operation. He is not openly known to have worked for self enrichment. Perhaps, he can perform with huge advantage over all others, if only he could initiate right away and get rid of all parasitic sycophants around him and hand pick his team of aides with passion. In this way, if he gets a chance, he can change entire complexion of the nation in next 5 years. He must have a strong personal resolve to sticks to his much talked about aims and objectives and takes appropriate steps in this direction immediately. I am sure, by doing so he can kill our bedeviling “Demon-cracy”, and put us on the road to real Democracy .
Ikhoon786

We as a nation should learn lesson from our neighbors India and china, who are becoming world powers.
Raj Chouhan

I cent percent agree with you NASAH ji. You can not expect results from a policeman whose hands are tied behind and a gun on his forehead. A country whose foreign and defense policies are managed by those arrogant and stubborn force who do not know even ABCD of diplomacy has no future.

D for Democracy

Hammad Siddiqui

You might also like:

Viewed

Shared

Commented