By Engr. Ghulam Habib
The Democracy We Want
Pakistan Democracy should not mean continuous confrontation. The democracy we dream of in Pakistan is based on law, tolerance, dialogue and respect for the people. Unfortunately, our political system often moves in the opposite direction.
Pakistan Democracy also requires political differences to be handled peacefully. It does not mean blocking roads, creating disorder or using government authority for party politics.
Every political party has the democratic right to present its programme to the people, organize peaceful political activities and seek public support. At the same time, every government has a responsibility to maintain law and order while respecting constitutional rights.
The interests of ordinary citizens should come first.
Politics Should Not Replace Governance
One of Pakistan’s major problems is that political confrontation often takes attention away from governance.
People face inflation, unemployment, electricity problems, education and health difficulties, security concerns and many other everyday problems. When political parties and governments remain occupied with rallies, protests and confrontation, these public problems can receive less attention.
This is particularly important when a political party is already governing a province. A provincial government has responsibilities that go beyond party politics. It must govern for all citizens of the province, including people who did not vote for the ruling party.
The Situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
The present political confrontation involving the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, PTI and the federal government raises important questions about the proper role of elected governments.
PTI announced a long march towards Islamabad demanding, among other things, the release of its founder, former Prime Minister Imran Khan. The march originally planned for September 27 was later postponed until October 4.
Supporters of PTI argue that peaceful protest is their constitutional and democratic right. Their concerns and political demands cannot simply be ignored.
However, there is another important question: how should an elected provincial government pursue political disputes with the federal government?
In my view, constitutional institutions should be used before confrontation in the streets.
Use Parliament, Assemblies and Courts
The Chief Minister is the head of an elected provincial government. Therefore, the provincial assembly should be one of the first places where major political and constitutional issues are discussed.
If the provincial government believes that the federal government is acting unlawfully or violating constitutional rights, it can raise the matter through the provincial assembly, political negotiations and the courts.
Pakistan has constitutional and judicial mechanisms for disputes between governments and for questions concerning fundamental rights.
Street protest may be a democratic right, but it should not become a substitute for constitutional institutions.
Government Resources Must Remain Separate from Party Politics
There must also be a clear distinction between a political party and a provincial government.
Government vehicles, officials, police, public money and other state resources belong to the people. They should be used according to law and for public purposes, not simply because a political party wants to organize a political campaign.
This principle should apply equally to every political party and every government in Pakistan.
A government cannot demand respect for the law from its opponents while ignoring the same principle itself.
The Federal Government Also Has Responsibilities
The responsibility does not fall on one side alone.
The federal and provincial authorities must protect public safety, but their response to political protest should also remain lawful and proportionate.
Before the planned September 27 march, containers and other barriers were placed on important routes leading towards Islamabad. Major road restrictions affected ordinary travelers and commercial transport.
When governments close highways and important roads as a preventive political measure, ordinary citizens often pay the price.
Workers cannot reach their workplaces. Patients may have difficulty travelling. Businesses suffer. Goods are delayed. Students and families face unnecessary inconvenience.
Therefore, both protesters and governments must consider the rights of citizens who are not participating in the political dispute.
Police Should Serve the Law
Another important issue is the role of the police and civil administration.
Police officers are employees of the state, not of a political party. They should obey lawful orders and perform their duties according to the Constitution and law.
Political leaders should not expect public officials to carry out orders merely because those orders come from powerful office holders.
At the same time, police should not be used unnecessarily against peaceful political workers or citizens exercising lawful democratic rights.
The same standard should apply whether the government is federal, provincial or local.
Confusing Information Makes the Situation Worse
Pakistan’s political environment is also affected by conflicting information.
Different television channels, political groups and social-media accounts sometimes present completely different versions of the same event. One report may say that a protest has been postponed, while another may show preparations or confrontations continuing.
This creates confusion among ordinary citizens.
Political parties, governments and journalists therefore have a responsibility to distinguish confirmed information from political claims and rumours.
Citizens should also avoid forwarding unverified information simply because it supports their political views.
Democracy Means More Than Elections
This is perhaps the most important point.
Democracy is not only about winning elections.
Democracy also means accepting constitutional limits, respecting institutions, protecting opposition rights, listening to disagreement and resolving disputes peacefully.
The ruling party must respect the opposition, and the opposition must respect the law.
Provincial governments must respect the constitutional authority of the federation, while the federal government must respect the constitutional rights and autonomy of the provinces.
Without this balance, political competition can turn into permanent confrontation.
Pakistan Cannot Afford Permanent Political Conflict
Pakistan already faces serious economic, security, education, employment and development challenges.
Our political leadership should ask a simple question:
Are our political actions solving the problems of the people, or creating new problems for them?
Closing roads, continuous protests, mass arrests, unnecessary confrontation and the misuse of public resources cannot become the normal method of Pakistani politics.
Political differences will always exist in a democracy. The purpose of democracy is not to eliminate those differences. Its purpose is to provide peaceful institutions through which those differences can be managed.
A Way Forward
Both the federal government and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government should show patience and restraint.
They should sit together, listen to each other’s concerns and search for solutions within the Constitution and law.
Where political negotiation fails, Parliament, provincial assemblies and the courts provide lawful avenues for resolving disputes.
Peaceful political activity should be protected, but violence, destruction of property and unlawful road blockades should be avoided. Government authorities, in turn, should avoid unnecessary restrictions that punish millions of ordinary citizens for a dispute in which they may have no involvement.
Most importantly, political leaders should distance themselves from corruption, bribery, nepotism, misuse of authority and political victimization.
No political party should demand one standard of justice for itself and another for its opponents.
Conclusion
Pakistan needs politics based on principles rather than permanent confrontation.
A strong democracy is not created by defeating every opponent. It is created when political opponents can disagree strongly and still sit together, respect the law and protect the rights of ordinary citizens.
Governments change. Political leaders come and go. But Pakistan and its institutions must continue.
Our politicians should therefore compete through ideas, policies and public service—not through disorder and endless confrontation.
If Pakistan wants a stronger democratic future, dialogue, constitutional government, rule of law and service to the people must come before party interests.
Engr. Ghulam Habib