THIS refers to the letter ‘Saving democracy’ (Sept 24) by Agha Zeeshan. Every concerned Pakistani like the writer is raising the same concerns.

We still continue with the colonial-style constitutional and administrative system. Even hundreds of elections will make no difference.

What we have in Pakistan is called plutocracy. It refers to power through wealth, where the degree of economic inequality is high. The wealthy have disproportionate influence on the political, administrative, executive, legislative and judicial aspects of the government.

On top of that, we have no effective local government system, policing, magistracy, education, land management, transport, social welfare, etc., as they have in all genuine democracies.

According to the Widdicombe report of England, the local government serves these functions: (a) pluralism, through which it contributes to the national political system: (b) participation, which contributes to local democracy, (c) ensures responsiveness contributing to local needs through the delivery of services.

Our politicians want to save status quo plutocracy only.

S. Feroz Shah Gilani

Lahore

Published in Dawn, October 1st, 2014