DURING a military dispensation, it is understandable thatdemands for the restoration of democracy become louder, and citizens with a progressive bent of mind render sacrifices. Students’ education is affected, professionals put their careers at stake, democracy-loving citizens suffer imprisonment, and some even lose their lives. But what happens when democracy is restored, elected representatives are chosen, trade unions regain their footing, and judiciary starts feeling ‘independent’? The least we can say is that the demands for the ‘restoration’ of democracy need to continue even under Pakistani democratic setups.

Elected representatives — rare exceptions aside — indulge in a race for accumulating and increasing their wealth, make the assemblies a laughing stock by wasting time in frivolous debates, attack their political rivals and rubber-stamp various legislations to fulfil the wishes of this political master or that.

The ruling party makes government institutions subservient to party interests. The nation’s suffering starts and intensifies as Pakistani version of democracy moves on.

Trade unions in the domains of education, industry and other disciplines use their power to make money at the cost of public interest. They agitate and threaten to go on strikes if action against underperforming employees is taken by respective administrations.

The deplorable situation of Pakistan Steel Mills, Pakistan International Airlines, public-sector universities and other state-owned entities is only one of the outcomes of the Pakistani variety of democratic governance and trade unionism.

Amid all this, the people are left to fend for themselves. Rampant street crime, mugging and snatching of motorbikes have been a nuisance for the common man in rural and urban Sindh alike. Ghotki and its adjoining areas have been almost handed over to the dacoits. People of Sindh are tasting the bitter fruit of democracy.

Having said that, they are not alone in their sufferings; the ‘commonness’ of the common man knows no boundaries; provincial or otherwise. It just does not.

Gulsher Panhwer
Johi

Published in Dawn, June 16th, 2023