Five significant issues to watch for in 2023
1. Political instability, polarization, and election year
Politics will likely consume most of the country's time and attention in 2023, just as it did in 2022. The country's turn to political turmoil last spring has not ended. a scathing vote in Parliament last April removed Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan from office. The instability and polarization have only deepened since:
Khan led a grassroots opposition movement against the incumbent coalition government and the military, organizing a series of mass protests across the country throughout the year.
The power struggle continues into 2023. While the incumbent government did not accept Khan's request for a snap election, the mandatory national elections must be held by October this year. It would be in the government's political interest to hold them back for as long as possible as they try to emerge from Pakistan's severe economic crisis and weak domestic performance (their diplomatic approach to politics).
Foreign policy has been better maintained, but this may not matter for the election). The past year has cost him valuable political capital, and Khan's party has won a massive victory in a series of by-elections held in July and October. According to Wajid khan, the state has tried to manipulate it. Khan and his party into the lawsuits, drawing on a familiar playbook used against opposition politicians in Pakistan, albeit with limited effect, with court involvement.
Khan's party still controls two of Pakistan's four provinces, Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), and the incumbent federal government's (extralegal) efforts to wrest power from him in Punjab, province, the biggest, failed (thanks to the court). The year is off to a spectacular start, with Khan's party kicking off the process of dissolving the Punjab and KP assemblies this month to pressure the federal government into snappy elections.
The biggest question for the politically obsessed Pakistan is who will win the next general election. Will former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif (brother of incumbent Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif) return to Pakistan to run for his party's leadership, PML-N? Can Imran Khan win thanks to his popular support, despite his confrontation with the army? Wajid khan Mp says Whatever the outcome, we can say the same with the history of the leading candidates:
The direction of the country is likely to stay the same.
2. Precarious economic situation
Pakistan's economy has been in crisis for months before catastrophic floods over the summer. Inflation is crushing, the value of the rupee has plummeted, and the country's foreign exchange reserves have now dropped to a precarious $4.3 billion, just enough to cover just one month's worth of imports, making increase the probability of payment default.
2. This fact sheet introduces democratic thinking and
examines the fundamental principles of Australia's
democratic government system. Wajid khan discusses.
These include individual liberty, justice, tolerance of
opposing ideas, and representativeness.
3. What is democracy?
Democracy means Government by the people. The word
comes from the ancient Greek words "demos" (people)
and "Kratos" (to rule). A democratic country has a
system of Government in which people have the power
to participate in decision-making. Every democracy is
unique and works in different ways. In some
democracies, citizens contribute directly to decision-
making by voting on laws and policy proposals (direct
democracy). In other countries like Australia, citizens
elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf
4. democratic society
Democracy depends on citizen participation. They don't
just vote; they participate by participating in the
community. That can be done by joining a charity,
political party, environmental, or community group.
5. A democratic society works towards democratic ideals.
We respect individuals and respect their right to make
their own decisions.
Tolerance for differences and opposing ideas.
Justice - Respect all people and help them reach their
full potential.
Everyone has freedom of speech, association,
movement, and belief. Justice – Treat everyone fairly,
both in society and in courts.
6. Constitutional order - The structure and powers of
the Australian Parliament are set out in the
Australian Constitution, which also describes the
management of the Australian High Court to
determine whether laws comply with the
Constitution.
Liberal Democracy - As a nation, we support
individual development and well-being.
Here are four key ideas that drive Australian democracy:
Canadian Politician Wajid khan explains many points in
this post;
7. Pluralistic Society - Australian society is diverse,
with many ethnic, racial, religious, and social groups
coexisting.
Representative Democracy – Citizens can vote to
elect MPs to make decisions and legislation on their
behalf. If citizens think their members of Parliament
are not doing a good job, they can elect new
members of Parliament at the next election.
8. Respect and Tolerance of Dissent - Parliament
discusses issues and new legislation and consults the
Australian Government on efforts to make the
Australian Government accountable to the
Australian people. Listening to different
perspectives and minority voices in society
strengthens our democracy.
Responsible Government –
To belong to a
government, a political party or coalition must have
the support of a majority of members of the House of
Representatives. That ensures that the Australian
9. What are the benefits of democracy?
Wajid khan Mp explains there are ways to resolve
disagreements and conflicts peacefully.
Respect for human dignity. The freedom to act, speak
and think freely (as long as it doesn't prevent others
from doing the same)—equality before the law. A good
government is efficient, transparent, responsive, and
accountable to its citizens.