Mature Democracy

Democracy is the system of the government which is considered as the best system of governance as it ensures rights of people. Therefore, a democratic government is often termed as the government of people, by the people, for the people. Which means that in a democratic setup people have the power to elect the government for them. And in return the government is supposed to work for the betterment of the masses. But, it rarely happens that democracy serves the real idea behind it.
If we look the globe then we hardly find any country for which one can say that there is 100% democracy. This is because of the fact that democracies across the globe are facing a number of issues due to which the democratic norms are being compromised. Resultantly, this loose kind of democracy often creates more problems for people. However, still a democratic system is more acceptable as compare to others.
Pakistan is a democratic country where people are enjoying the rights which are ensured by a democratic setup. But, still there are a number of issues in democracy which is being practices in the country. Pakistan came into being in 1947. Since the very first day of its inception country is following the democratic system of the government. But, there have been a number of hurdles on the way of democracy in Pakistan. The most important factor due to which democracy in Pakistan could not be strengthened is military coups. Country has faced 03 Martial Laws and one emergency due to which every time democracy derailed and took years to come back. Democracy needs time to mature itself. But, in Pakistan democracy never ever given time to get itself strengthened.
The good thing about democracy in Pakistan is that finally it has been given time to strengthen itself. But, now it is facing another issue which is the sale and purchase of the loyalties of politicians. The Chief Justice of Pakistan CJP Umar Ata Bandial on Friday said that the country has to be taken towards a “mature democracy.” The remark came during the hearing of the presidential reference seeking the interpretation of Article 63(A) of the Constitution. Supreme Court’s larger bench headed by CJP Bandial and comprising Justice Muneeb Akhtar, Justice Ijaz Ul Ahsan, Justice Mazhar Alam, and Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhel was hearing the reference. “We have to take the country towards mature democracy and for that, it is necessary for the legislators to have a fruitful discussion,” CJP Bandial remarked. He observed that the votes of the dissidents should not be counted to ensure national interest and to end the scourge of shifting loyalties. “Court’s job is to answer all constitutional questions,” he said, asking if the court is bound to answer according to the words stated in the reference or can it interpret otherwise.
The former PTI-led government had filed the reference after it started losing majority in the National Assembly as a number of its members gave their support to the Opposition of that time over the no-confidence motion submitted against former prime minister Imran Khan. The SC is conducting hearings on the reference almost on a daily basis. Democracy in Pakistan is currently facing the challenge of use of money in politics. Court is probing into this matter. All the problems being faced by the democracy should be addressed properly so that Pakistan may move towards a mature democracy.