Threat to Democracy

Byline: S.M. Hali The debate over the fate of democracy in Pakistan is not new. Pakistan's chequered but brief history of 63 years indicates that democratic dispensations ruled the country for 31 years while military dictators held the reins of government for the rest. Ever since General Ayub Khan overturned the applecart of democracy in October 1958, the overbearing shadow of military diktat has cast its influence over successive democratic governments. The budding sapling of democracy has been uprooted many times by military usurpers affecting its growth and preventing it from taking roots. Students of political science and history must take cognizance of the factor that nearly in all military takeovers in Pakistan; it was the politicians who made the environment murky, chaotic and anarchical, paving the way for the imposition of subsequent martial laws. In some cases, it was disgruntled politicians who actually invited the military to remove the regime and assume the mantle of government.