The document examines Pakistan's democratic transition, outlining historical struggles and the current political landscape shaped by various elites and military influences. It highlights key challenges such as corruption, lack of education, and weak civil institutions while expressing optimism for the future based on socioeconomic improvements and increased political awareness. The research stresses the importance of a strong judiciary and political reforms to enhance democracy in Pakistan.

1. What Lies Ahead?
A Case Study of Pakistan’s Democratic
Transition!
By
Muhammad Jahangir
Supervisor
Mr. Usman Shamim

2.  A form of Government which is made for the people, by the people
around and it consist of the people from within.
 The adults of a nation give their votes to the leader and the leaders then
drive the government for the betterment of the people.
 Different types of democracies prevailed in Pakistan at different times.
 From the day of inception of Pakistan, the people are struggling for a
better form of Government and they have selected Democracy as the
best one.
Introduction
“Government of the people, by the people, for the people”
(Abraham Lincoln)

3. According to the “Democratic index of 2011” , Pakistan is
on the 106th number in the world with a democratic score of
just 4.55.
This is the First time in Pakistan's history since its inception
that an elected government finished its tenure to handed over
power to another elected government.
Pakistan was the result of a political and democratic struggle
but democracy could not flourish during 70 years of its
existence.

4.  After the death of Quaid e Azam M. Ali Jinnah, “Liaquat Ali
Khan, a devoted prime-minister elected from Eastern Pakistan
was unacceptable to the ruling elite
 According to UNESCO Report of Census in 1950 the overall
literacy in Pakistani was 14% and now current literacy is 58%.
There is below 40 percent of population is uneducated.
 Democracy can flourish only if public at large get involved in the
political process.
 For a democracy to be successful, it require individuals who are
educated enough to use sound judgment

5. Hypothesis
The strengthening of civil institutions and
socioeconomic changes are positively affecting the
process of Democratization in Pakistan and its
democratic future is bright.

6. Research Questions
What are the prerequisites of smooth transition of
democracy?
What are the constraints to Pakistan’s democratic system?
Is democratic system in Pakistan working well?
What is Future of Democracy in Pakistan?

7. Statement of problem
The democracy in Pakistan has been inconsistent due to
multiple issue and challenges like Political, social, economic.
Objective of study
This study explores Pakistan’s democratic future, with the help
of social, economic and political indicators its Progress and
development through Education, political Awareness and role
of media.
Methods of data collection
This research is based on secondary method of research. The
information adopted in this research is taken from internet, books
(research articles, government reports, newspapers etc.)

8. Significance of Study
 To find out the causes behind the failure of smooth
democracy in Pakistan makes this study very significant.
It involves answering some key questions like, why
elected governments have not been able to their tenure?
What roles have the civil institutions been playing?
 This study also discusses the troubles to democracy in
the country and will spread the political solutions among
its readers and additionally can prove to be a guideline
for piers of the state.

9. Theoretical Framework
Dank wart Rostov's Model on Transition to Democracy based
on four stages;
• National unity--the people must agree that they are a political entity,
Before people could decide how to rule, there must be clarity on ‘who
the people' are? Pakistan is one of the world’s most ethnically and
linguistically complex states’ and continues to struggle with this
diversity. Pakistan has been experiencing ethno-national movements
since its inception. Pakistan needs a new national identity which
acknowledges the multiple identities of its people. There is a need to
craft a balance between unity and diversity of the people of Pakistan.
• A prolonged and inconclusive political struggle; This occurs differently
in all countries, but is typically centered on the emerging power of a new
social force. Pakistan is going through this particular phase

10. • Decision Phase; When the conflicting parties realize that they are at
a point of stalemate in their inconclusive political struggle they
decide to compromise and adopt democratic forms of rule. Pakistan
is going through the decisive phase, where the consensus of the elite
of Pakistan stands fractured and a new conscious decision is being
reached upon, which is commitment to consolidation of democracy
• "Habituation": over time, the people will get used to this pattern and
come to value democracy itself. Gradually the rules of democracy
become a habit. A unpleasant decision, once made, is likely to seem
more satisfactory as one is forced to live with it. Pakistan is perhaps
in the habituation phase or is probably reaching it. The Past
government is the first elected government to complete its term,
surviving all the forecast of its collapse.

11. Literature Review
• Asif Hussain(2004) reveals that democratic system in Pakistan,
the landlord elites, political elites, religious elites, industrial
elites, professional elites, and military elites have been the
main competitors for power” .
• The Article of Keith Collard (1968) proposed that Pakistanis
have always idealized democracy, but they did not know how
to implement it. “In his view, the initial period of Pakistan 's
history was a period of change and uncertainty” . Political
parties have increased and declined, and they have suffered
several interruptions in Pakistan.

12. • Lawrence Ziring (2003) also blamed the political leaders
in his article for the weakness of the political system of
Pakistan, citing the lack of interest of the political parties
in the development of the political system” .
• In the article of Sultan Ahmed (1993), the basic problem
with the political system of Pakistan is the lack of
national integration and cohesion between the political
parties of the country from its beginning, which resulted
in the separation of Bangladesh from Pakistan.

13. Political History of Pakistan
 Death of Liaqat Ali khan
 His endeavors in marking the Liaquat-Nehru agreement relating to the minority issue in 1950
lessened pressures amongst India and Pakistan.
 Liaquat Ali Khan helped Quaid-i-Azam in tackling the mob and displaced person issue and
setting up a viable regulatory framework for the nation.
 He displayed the objective resolution in the legislative assembly. The house passed this on
march 12, 1949.
 Martial Law of Ayyub khan in 1958
 The evening of 7 October 1958, the constitution was suspended by a Presidential decree. The
clergymen were rejected; the assemblies disintegrated and political gatherings were
prohibited.
 war with India in 1965
 Boosted economy
 The Era of Yahya khan, 1969
 Yahya Disintegration and dissolved the single unit system.
 Legitimate framework order1970
 In 1971 war has been fought and Pakistan has been broken into two states.

14.  Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto as Civilian Martial Law Administrator
 In 1971 an exceptional PIA (Pakistan International Airlines) plane was sent to bring
Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto from USA.
 he confronted many individuals in a type of sindhi, balochi and pashtoon patriots
who were not tolerating the inception of Pakistan and droning mottos to get
autonomy from Pakistan.
 solid military operation against these developing patriots and in 1978 these patriots
were controlled.
 The Era of Zia, 1977
 In 1777 Zia impose a Martial Law on government dissolve the Bhutto regimes and
his cabinet in protective custody.
 Boosted the sectarian conflict in Pakistan with their Islamization policy, wave of
terrorism, heroin, millions of clashes, and hatred politics.
 1988 to 1999 Fragile Democracy Era
 December 2, 1988 in general election Benazir Bhutto become the first PM of
Pakistan.
 in 1990 she was rejected by President of Pakistan and her husband was sent to jail.
 Nawaz shareef was chooses as Prime minister
 1993 general election, People party successful to won the election and again Benazir
become Prime minister.
 19 February, 1997 Nawaz Shareef became 2nd time prime minister of Pakistan

15. Fourth military era (1999 - 2007)
 He imposed a Martial law on 12th October 1999.
 Nawaz was accused of plane crash conspiracy and was exiled.
 Musharraf enforce emergency in the country and promise to hold election in next
three years.
 Prepared a four points formula for Kashmir freedom
 Negative aspect of the Musharraf government like laal masjid operation, Alliance
with America on Afghanistan war, NRO and thar coal project.
PPP Democratic Government 2008 to 2013
 A general election was held in February 18, 2008. The PPP Won the election.
 The supposed first 'full term' of a 'fair government' in Pakistan’s history.
 Corruption has been done by the government of PPP in institutions and autonomous
company like PIA, Steel Mils, Railways.
 Amend the Constitutions to autonomous the Provincial governments

16. Causes of Democratic Failure
 Egocentric Politicians
 Impose their view on views of other politicians and public, believing of their own view as
superior or/and best one; also they disagree and disrespect others’ judgments, views or
opinions.
 Military Involvement in Politics
 Played an important role for years in defense of Pakistan, unfortunately also has done a part
towards military invasions and fall of civil governments.
 Corruption
 Ranked among the countries having high corruption i.e. in past years 2010 ranked 143, 2016
ranked 116 in last decade.
 Military then take overs government of that time like the martial law of General Zia in 1977,
when there was corruption in elections by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.
 Feudal Cum Politics
 originated from medieval Europe
 feudal system is a threat to the system of democracy.

17.  Lack of Education
 Lack of Education is a dilemma in Pakistan
 Democracy, by and large, is more successful in those societies where the masses are
politically conscious and aware of their rights as well as of their duties.
 Lack of Economic development
 economy as backbone in democratic system
 The major threats to economic devolution in Pakistan are energy crisis, economic
instability, unemployment, natural calamities, inflation and food crisis.
 Weak Civil Institutions
 Education and health sector has a similar level of difficulties.
 judiciary framework is lacking and in proficient it takes years to settle the cases.
 Constitutional Crisis
 After 9 years when first was drafted in 1956 .
 In 1962 the second constitution was prepared .
 first Parliamentary form of constitution was adopted and declared in 1973.
 Extremist Illusion that Democracy is non-Islamic
 the present stream of radicalism and fear based oppression has delivered another
philosophy. The bearers of this new philosophy of administration consider democracy as
non-Islamic.

18. Steps for Restoration of True form of Democracy in Pakistan
Feudalism should be immediately abolished.
Judiciary should be made Independent.
Parliament should be made sovereign.
Supremacy of constitution should be ensured.
Free and fair election should be ensured through
independent Election Commission in order to prevent
the rigging.

19.  Impart liberal ,progressive and political education to
masses in order to create political society to create
conducive atmosphere for democracy.
 Enhance capacity of political parties and other stake
holders in order to make them vigilant, vibrant and
responsive towards question and issue of democracy.
 There is a dire need to strengthen the public institutions,
in order to ensure the supremacy of law so that rules
govern the country rather than the personalities

20. Future of democracy in Pakistan
 Future of democracy in the country is splendid and strong
because of mindfulness in the Parliament, political parties
and common masses to dishearten any unlawful and
undemocratic move.
 The strengthening of civil institutions and socioeconomic
changes are positively affecting the process of
Democratization in Pakistan and its democratic future is
bright.
 The Supreme Court has emerged as the most powerful
institution of the country after the pronouncement of the
Panama gate verdict

21.  With $46 investment from China in various sectors of the
economy it is inevitable that the country will make
enormous progress in the upcoming decade.
 The problem of security threat has been largely tackled
by the country’s army, which is among the world’s finest,
and as far as the energy shortage is concerned, all the
projects under-development now in 2016 will completely
eradicate load-shedding by 2020.
 Pakistan has reached the highest point of its economic
progress as the eight-year has broken and the poverty level is
coming down while the growth in two years will remain
between 4.7 percent and 5.4 percent

22.  The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor has added new
dimensions to Pakistan's strategic and economic
alignment with China. $46 billion China Pakistan
Economic Corridor (CPEC) and consistently pursuing
structural reforms.
 The law and order situation in the country has
significantly improved. The global perception of the
country is now much better.
 There are a number of positive economic indicators such
as reduced petroleum product prices, low single-digit
inflation, low borrowing rates, opportunities offered by
the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.

23. Conclusion
Democracy is not only a form of government; it is a philosophy
which encompasses all aspects of rights and freedom. In Pakistan,
however, the already difficult situation has been aggravated by
constant failures which never let democracy to survive. Since 1947,
the people are struggling for a better form of Government and they
have selected Democracy as the best one. Dank wart Alexander
Rostov's model on transition to democracy illustrates a sequence of
four phases which may be an applicable model for struggling
democracy of Pakistan. The strengthening of civil institutions and
socioeconomic changes are positively affecting the process of
democratization in Pakistan and its democratic future is bright.

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3. Lawrence Ziring. (2003). Pakistan in the Twentieth Century: A Political History. Karachi: Oxford University Press
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