SUMMARY of the Article “Burying democracy,” Dr. Niaz Murtaza, Dawn, October 1st, 2024
The article highlights the severe threats facing Pakistan’s democracy, which has long been undermined by powerful forces within the state, particularly the military establishment. Dr. Niaz Murtaza argues that democracy is nearing extinction, with recent developments signaling its potential burial. He outlines a series of democratic assaults in recent years, including manipulated elections, the politicization of state institutions, disregard for Supreme Court rulings, and the complete dominance of the military establishment over civilian governments. The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), once stalwarts of democratic governance, are now complicit in these undemocratic moves, seemingly operating as extensions of the security apparatus. The article laments the irony of these parties supporting measures that could harm not only democracy but also their own political futures. Dr. Murtaza criticizes the media, legal community, and civil society for their passive acceptance of these attacks on democratic institutions. He warns that these anti-democratic actions will have long-lasting consequences, including the erosion of state legitimacy, increased lawlessness, terrorism, and extremism. The article concludes with a call to resist any moves to subdue the judiciary and preserve what remains of Pakistan’s democratic foundations.
Easy/Short SUMMARY:
This article talks about the dangerous state of democracy in Pakistan. Dr. Niaz Murtaza says that the country’s democracy is under attack, mainly by the military, and that it may soon disappear entirely. He blames political parties like the PML-N and PPP for going along with these undemocratic actions instead of fighting against them. These actions, such as rigged elections and ignoring the Supreme Court, are damaging the country. He warns that if this continues, it will harm Pakistan by increasing terrorism and weakening the state. He urges everyone to protect democracy and the judiciary before it’s too late.
SOLUTIONS of The Problem:
Reinforce Judicial Independence
The judiciary must remain independent and resist any attempts to undermine its authority. Strong measures should be taken to protect judges from political and military influence.
Increase Civil Society Engagement
Civil society, including activists, intellectuals, and common citizens, should actively oppose undemocratic measures and organize peaceful movements to safeguard democratic values.
Encourage Media Freedom
Media outlets should resist pressure from powerful groups and continue to speak out against undemocratic actions. An independent media can play a key role in promoting transparency and accountability.
Promote Political Accountability
Political parties like the PML-N and PPP should be held accountable for their actions and reminded of their democratic responsibilities. Voters and party members must demand more transparent and ethical behavior from their leaders.
Strengthen Democratic Institutions
Invest in the development and strengthening of democratic institutions, such as the election commission, judiciary, and parliament, ensuring they function independently and without external interference.
Educate the Public on Democratic Rights
Launch campaigns to educate citizens about their democratic rights and the importance of preserving democracy. An informed public is better equipped to resist authoritarianism.
Prevent Military Interference in Politics
Establish clear boundaries to prevent military interference in civilian government matters. Constitutional reforms may be necessary to ensure that the military’s role is limited to defense and security.
Promote Political Reforms
Encourage reforms within political parties to reduce corruption and ensure that they are committed to democratic governance rather than aligning with undemocratic forces.
Reinstate Democratic Legitimacy
Rebuild the legitimacy of the state by holding fair and transparent elections, restoring trust in the government, and ensuring that state institutions function without bias.
Support International Advocacy
Seek support from international democratic organizations and allies who can provide guidance and pressure to ensure democratic principles are upheld in Pakistan.
IMPORTANT Facts and Figures Given in the article:
- Pakistan’s democracy is described as being in grave danger, potentially nearing extinction.
- Delayed and rigged polls, politicization of state entities, and disregard for Supreme Court rulings have undermined democratic norms.
- The PML-N and PPP, once champions of democracy, are criticized for enabling these anti-democratic moves.
- The article references the 2018-22 period as more damaging to democracy than the preceding decade (2008-18).
- The role of the military establishment in weakening civilian governance is emphasized.
- The writer calls for resistance against efforts to subdue the judiciary.
MCQs from the Article:
1. Who is identified as the primary force behind the attacks on democracy in Pakistan?
A. Civil society
B. Political parties
C. Media
D. Military establishment
2. Which two political parties are criticized for aiding undemocratic moves in Pakistan?
A. PTI and PML-N
B. PML-N and PPP
C. PTI and PPP
D. MQM and PPP
3. What period does the author describe as more damaging to democracy than 2008-18?
A. 2015-18
B. 2000-05
C. 2008-13
D. 2018-22
4. What major event involving the judiciary does the author refer to as a past defense of democracy?
A. The 1973 Constitution
B. The 18th Amendment
C. Supreme Court judges blocking Gen Pervez Musharraf’s emergency
D. The no-confidence motion against PTI
5. According to the article, what could happen if anti-democratic actions continue unchecked?
A. Strengthening of political parties
B. Increased terrorism and extremism
C. Strengthened judiciary
D. Restoration of democracy
VOCABULARY:
- Endangered (adjective) (خطرے میں): At serious risk of extinction.
- Extinct (adjective) (نابود): No longer in existence.
- Politicisation (noun) (سیاسی بنا دینا): The action of causing an activity to become political in character.
- Verdicts (noun) (فیصلے): Decisions on disputed issues in civil or criminal cases.
- Unabashed (adjective) (بے شرم): Not embarrassed or ashamed.
- Culpable (adjective) (قصور وار): Deserving blame.
- Servile (adjective) (غلامی): Showing an excessive willingness to serve or please others.
- Nix (verb) (ختم کرنا): To put an end to something.
- Maim (verb) (نقصان پہنچانا): To wound or injure someone.
- Recuse (verb) (الگ ہونا): To remove oneself from participation to avoid a conflict of interest.
- Legitimacy (noun) (جواز): Conformity to the law or rules.
- Eroded (verb) (خراب ہونا): Gradually destroyed or diminished.
- Stifled (verb) (دبانا): Suppressed or restrained.
- Apparatus (noun) (نظام): The complex structure of a particular organization or system.
- Rigged (adjective) (دھاندلی): Arranged or controlled dishonestly for a particular outcome.
- Establishment (noun) (ادارہ): A group in a society exercising power and influence over policy.
- Domination (noun) (غلبہ): Control or ruling influence over something.
- Critique (noun) (تنقید): A detailed analysis and assessment.
- Reincarnation (noun) (دوبارہ پیدا ہونا): Rebirth in a new form.
- Gasping (verb) (ہانپنا): Struggling for breath.
📢 Attention Please!
We appreciate your commitment to acquiring knowledge through our summaries. Please be reminded not to remove the attribution label affixed to this article. It is crucial to acknowledge the source and the effort invested in creating this summary. We discourage any unauthorized distribution without proper credit. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. 🔍
Burying democracy
Dr Niaz Murtaza
PAKISTAN’S democracy is an endangered species now, long hunted by uniformed elements. But it seems that now a deal has been struck to make it an extinct species, after which it may be buried at sea so that those who love it can’t find its remains and erect a tomb as that may spark its ‘reincarnation’ later.
Arguably, no civilian era has witnessed greater assaults on democracy than this one: delayed, then badly rigged polls; large-scale politicisation of key state entities; open disregard of Supreme Court verdicts; domination by the establishment; and now, a no-holds-barred assault on both the Constitution and the judiciary.
It is widely acknowledged that the primary entity behind this state of affairs is the deep state. However, as unabashed implementers, the PML-N and PPP are now widely criticised as perhaps the most culpable parties with dubious intent in our history. In fact, many observers would go so far as to argue that they aren’t so much political entities now as extensions of the security apparatus.
We have long seen the assault on democracy. Oddly, what we are now seeing is virtual suicide by democracy. Both the PML-N and PPP say they are swallowing all this as bitter pills to cure the nation of the PTI’s ills. However, the prescribed pills may contain ingredients injurious not only to democracy but to these parties as well. In the end, only Sherlock Holmes may then deduce if it was suicide or murder that eliminated democracy.
One must stand against any move to tame the judiciary.
The cure is undeniably worse than the ills. I was a strong critic of the PTI when it ruled at the centre. I am ready to critique it if it rules like it did again as well as the powers that be if they target the PML-N or PPP again. It is evident that the 2018-22 period damaged democracy more than 2008-18. It is even clearer that the current era’s damage far exceeds that inflicted under the PTI. But many anchors still talk more of the out-of-power PTI’s ills than the bigger ones of the incumbents.
The PML-N acts servile fearing that higher powers may dump it for the PPP. The latter does so hoping they do. It’s a race to the bottom among them and some judicial elements. At this point, it is hard to see who is ahead. But no one wins a race to the bottom: everyone loses. Nature has its own way of nixing plots. It would be sweet justice if no unjust elements get unjust extensions.
But even this may be small sanction for moves against democracy. To keep a rigged regime from falling fairly under a new judicial command, the PPP and PML-N, which gave us some sterling laws such as the 1973 Constitution and the 18th Constitutional Amendment, are now, ironically, willing to maim their own creation. This goes beyond violating one clause as they did in delaying the polls. The no-trust vote against the PTI was also carried out for petty gains against public gains.
However, few appear to be actively opposing these anti-democratic moves. In fact, it would seem that certain sections of the media and the legal community, who have fought past assaults, are also toeing the line of those responsible for the current assault on democracy. Many in civil society are muted, seeing it as intra-elite wars. But it is possible that once they succeed in nixing the PTI, they will use their enhanced control to nix progressive periphery causes as well. One must proactively resist any attempt to subdue the judiciary, even if it is not championing many progressive causes at present.
A lawyer’s movement is not yet here. But will we see a movement in the judiciary that triggers it, as in 2007? Supreme Court judges had blocked Gen Pervez Musharraf’s illegal emergency, leading to their house arrest and dismissal, only to be reinstated later. If we reach a point where judges feel that they have no choice but to write joint letters, recuse themselves from benches made under controversial new procedures, etc, the blame for all of this will fall on the establishment and the political rulers of the day.
Legitimacy is the glue that binds states and ensures progress. It was never allowed to grow much here and is being further eroded now. Such state-led lawlessness can only undermine state foundations and have a severe impact on security and the rule of law via increased terrorism, crime, extremism and external threats. But do our rulers understand this truth? For decades, our ability to become a normal, progressive nation has been stifled. Can a hapless victim gasping desperately break the state’s chokehold?
The writer is a political economist with a PhD from the University of California, Berkeley.
X: @NiazMurtaza2
Published in Dawn, October 1st, 2024