Yusuf Raza Gilani took oath of Prime Minister he announced to lift the ban from students unions, which gave me the impression that finally political parties have learnt from their mistakes. This air of freedom did not last for long and he soon backtracked on this decision. Most of the political pundits did not even notice this but I was quick to conclude that Pakistan has still not reached the point where it could sustain democracy.
Democracy best can be explained as empowerment of the people. It is an idea that instead of any central authority, institution, any group or any foreign force, people should be the decision makers of their fate. It is not restricted to electing politicians for the upper and lower houses where they could decide our fate. In essence it means that any decision should be based on the consensus of all the stakeholders or minimum of those whose lives are being effected by that decision.
Unfortunately in Pakistan it is only restricted to elections of federal and provincial assemblies. The disconnect between decision making bodies and the people can be gauged by the dismal conditions in which people are living in this country. What has democracy delivered to the people of Thar who are dying from hunger? What has it delivered to the people of Balochistan who are searching their missing children? What has it delivered to the people of Karachi who are living in constant fear?.
In 1970s Ahmadis voted for PPP and in return it tabled a bill, against their will, because of which they are still considered infidels under the constitution of Pakistan. Neither anyone consulted workers before nationalizing the corporations, nor they are being consulted today when privatization commission is selling these assets like peanuts. Peasants have no say in any decision related with agriculture and land reforms and students have no rights except for purchasing education at high rates if they can.