Pakistan's political parties should be careful not to repeat the past. That is possible if people in power respect the right of the opposition to political space. The rights of minorities — political, regional and religious — have to be protected if democratic institutions are to flourish. Published in the Daily New Age on February 26, 2008 www.newagebd.com
A vibrant civil society that values its independence from the centres of power, is necessary. The lawyers' movement and the support it received from the people indicate that a small but influential civil society exists in Pakistan. The political elite should recognise its importance and respect its independence. Building democracy is a long race. Elections are only a good start.
Polls are a process to elect people's representatives to legislate and run public institutions according to law and with respect to democratic traditions. The challenge before Sharif and Zardari is to put aside party interests and, together and urgently, build those democratic institutions in Pakistan. They could begin, as Sharif has promised, with the restoration of an independent judiciary and by ensuring the independence of the Election Commission, which this time has supervised a fair election.
Mass movements in the past have forced dictators to pass on the reins of power to elected officials in Pakistan. Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, his daughter Benazir and Sharif himself were beneficiaries of the Pakistani people's preference for democratic leaders over army officers.
But all, unfortunately, failed to live up to the expectation of the people. The armed forces capitalised on their failures to seize power and present themselves as an alternative to the seeming chaos and corruption of democracy. However, Musharraf's tenure should convince all that generals do not necessarily deliver discipline, efficiency or stability. Under a succession of generals, Pakistan has slipped into chaos while religious fundamentalists have begun to threaten its very existence.
Gopal Sengupta
Canada
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Sign the Petition : Release the Arrested University Teachers Immediately : An Appeal to the Caretaker Government of Bangladesh
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Daily Star publishes an interview with Mukto-Mona
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MM site is blocked in Islamic countries such as UAE. Members of those theocratic states, kindly use any proxy (such as http://proxy.org/) to access mukto-mona.
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Mukto-Mona Celebrates 5th Anniversary
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Mukto-Mona Celebrates Earth Day:
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Kansat Uprising : A Special Page from Mukto-Mona
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MM Project : Grand assembly of local freedom fighters at Raumari
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German Bangla Radio Interviews Mukto-Mona Members:
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Mukto-Mona Celebrates Darwin Day:
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