ISLAMABAD: During the second year of the incumbent government, a number of developments affected the quality of democracy in Pakistan. One of the major achievements of the political process was that political parties showed unity to save democracy after the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) marched on the capital and staged sit-ins last year.

This was stated in Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency (Pildat)’s democracy monitor “Quality of democracy in Pakistan: second year of the government from June 1, 2013, to May 31, 2015” released on Monday.

It may be noted that most of the political parties, including the PPP, JUI-F, ANP and PMAP, showed solidarity with the government against the sit-ins. They also held joint sessions of parliament in September 2014. An opposition Jirga was also formed to act as mediators and resolve the differences between the PTI, PAT and the government.

The monitor said there was also progress on the holding of the local government elections in the country.

The controversy regarding the use of unsuitable magnetic ink in the general elections could not end. Because of the ink, the biometric verification of votes became a problem. On the other hand, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan stated on the floor of the National Assembly that 60,000 to 70,000 votes in all the constituencies were unverifiable.

“The monitor considers that the establishment of military courts was a negative development not only for Pakistan’s civilian judicial system but also for democracy.” It also said parliament was sidelined and the trend to hold all-parties’ conferences increased.

It also said a full-time chief election commissioner was appointed after a delay of 16 months. Moreover, the hasty passage of legislation without thorough deliberation also emerged during the second year of the government.

The Pakistan Army (Amendment) Bill 2015 and the 21st Constitutional Amendment Bill 2015 were passed within a few days.

It said the federal government decided to initiate a treason case against retired Gen Pervez Musharraf for the imposition of an emergency in November 2007 but the trial was very slow.

Published in Dawn, June 30th, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play