Political Crisis In Pakistan: A Threat To Democracy

MNA Editorial Desk: Pakistan’s democracy may be at danger following the last week’s removal of Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

Last Friday, the Supreme Court dismissed the PM on a failure to announce income in disclosure papers for 2013’s general election that leaves a huge political vacuum in the country.

The judicial body based its decision on Article 62 of the Constitution and Section 99 of the Representation of the People Act — little-used legislation that requires truthfulness and honesty from elected officials.

While Friday’s decision was hailed as a rare example of accountability in a graft-stricken nation, the fact that such vague laws were used to remove Sharif could trigger infighting between political parties, strategists warned.

Dirty politics, nepotism, lack of democracy and cronyism is extensive in the South Asian economy, ranked 116th in Transparency International’s list of 176 corrupt nations, which means numerous lawmakers could be removed under Article 62.

Nawaz Sharif who also heads Pakistan Muslim League (N) seems to be destined to establish some sort of record by getting three times elected as Chief Executive and then every time removed from his post. Similar was the fate of the government led by Benazir Bhutto who underwent a similar experience.

At the practical level, the focus is on whether Mr. Sharif’s exit will fuel political instability. A seasoned politician with immense popularity and experience in dealing with the military, he upheld his authority in his third term despite sustained pressure from the generals.

Over the last four years Pakistan has had a spell of relative economic stability, an easing of the electricity crisis and a drop in terror attacks. But now that Mr. Sharif is gone, it is not clear how the military will deal with any resultant political instability or executive frailty.

The most recent rule of Nawaz Sharif has been his total disregard for the Parliament and democratic political forces. This marginalization of parliament has resulted in weakening of democratic system.