By: Mahmood Khan
Published By:ANI News Agency
Democracy is often described as government of the people, by the people and for the people. Yet in many developing countries, democracy has struggled to become a stable and deeply rooted system of governance. Pakistan provides an important example. The country has held regular elections and experienced civilian governments, but democratic institutions have repeatedly faced political instability, institutional conflict and interruptions.
The question, therefore, is not whether democracy is suitable for Pakistan, but what conditions are necessary for democracy to flourish.
Pakistan’s experience demonstrates that elections alone cannot create a mature democracy. Democracy requires strong institutions, constitutional continuity, political tolerance, an independent judiciary, a free media and respect for the public mandate. Pakistan has competitive multiparty elections, but assessments including Freedom House’s 2026 report have raised concerns about political rights, civil liberties and the influence of the military over political and governmental processes.
The Problem of Institutional Imbalance
One of Pakistan’s central challenges has been the imbalance between civilian and non-civilian institutions. Historically, periods of military rule interrupted the development of parliamentary traditions and weakened institutional continuity. A World Bank study has also identified regime instability and the dominance of the military as important factors contributing to Pakistan’s political uncertainty.
A sustainable democracy requires every institution to operate within its constitutional boundaries. Parliament must legislate, governments must govern, courts must interpret and enforce the law within their constitutional role, and national security institutions must remain within their legally defined responsibilities.
When these boundaries become unclear, elected governments can struggle to develop long-term policies and democratic institutions remain vulnerable.
Political Parties Must Also Change
The weakness of democracy cannot be attributed entirely to state institutions. Political parties themselves have important responsibilities. In many developing countries, political parties can become heavily dependent on personalities, families or influential individuals rather than strong internal democratic structures.
A mature political party should encourage internal democracy, transparent finances, policy development and opportunities for younger leaders and women. Political opponents should be regarded as legitimate competitors rather than permanent enemies.
Democracy cannot flourish when every change of government is treated as a battle for political survival.
The Culture of Political Intolerance
Another major obstacle is political intolerance. Governments and opposition parties frequently accuse one another of undermining democracy while, at different times, supporting measures that restrict their political opponents.
This can create a recurring cycle: one government uses state institutions against its opponents, and when political power changes hands, similar practices may be repeated. Over time, public confidence in institutions suffers.
Democracy rests on the understanding that today’s opposition may become tomorrow’s government. Political parties therefore need rules and institutions that protect political competition, because those same protections may eventually protect them.
Rule of Law and Independent Institutions
No democracy can remain sustainable without the rule of law. Citizens must have confidence that the law applies equally to politicians, bureaucrats, businesspeople and ordinary citizens.
Judicial independence, an impartial election commission, accountable public administration and transparent government spending are essential components of democratic governance. Concerns raised by international rights organisations regarding judicial independence, due process, electoral competition and freedom of expression underline the importance of strengthening these institutions.
The objective should not simply be to create new political slogans, but to build institutions that are stronger than individuals.
Education and Economic Security
Democracy also depends on an informed population. Where poverty, limited educational opportunities and unemployment are widespread, citizens may become more vulnerable to patronage politics, misinformation and political manipulation.
Education should therefore include civic education: an understanding of the Constitution, Parliament, local government, voting rights, civic responsibilities and the importance of political tolerance.
Economic development also matters. Greater economic security can provide citizens with more independence and a stronger ability to participate meaningfully in public life.
Local Democracy Is the Foundation
Pakistan also needs stronger local government institutions. Democracy should not be limited to voting once every few years for national or provincial representatives.
Citizens should have meaningful opportunities to influence decisions concerning schools, roads, sanitation, transport, housing and healthcare through elected local institutions.
Effective local government can bring democracy closer to ordinary citizens while also creating opportunities for a new generation of political leaders to gain experience in governance.
From Elections to a Culture of Governance
Pakistan does not necessarily need less democracy; it needs deeper and more institutionalised democracy. Key priorities include constitutional continuity, credible elections, independent institutions, political tolerance, freedom of expression, effective local government, internal democracy within political parties and greater transparency.
The 2024 general election demonstrated both the resilience and the difficulties of Pakistan’s democratic process. Multiple political parties competed and citizens participated, while observers and rights organisations also raised concerns about aspects of the electoral environment and political freedoms.
Ultimately, democracy cannot be imported, imposed or created overnight. It must be built through practice.
Pakistan’s democratic future will depend not simply on who wins elections, but on whether political actors accept constitutional rules, institutions become stronger than personalities, and the citizen’s vote is treated as the foundation not merely the decorationof political authority.
That is the real challenge for Pakistan and many other developing countries: transforming democracy from an electoral event into a permanent culture of governance.
