Hopeful signs: This discussion and debate must continue in Pakistan

The News, April 21, 2006
Seminar blames politicians-military nexus for democracy collapse
By From Our Correspondent

MANDI BAHAUDDIN: Continuous intrusion of military generals and non-democratic approach of political parties are key reasons for failure of democracy in the country as the generals reigned for 33 years out 58 years history of Pakistan due to active role of political parties and unwise policies of politicians, said Liberation Forum Pakistan (LFP) chairman Muhammad Asif Khan on Thursday.

Addressing a seminar "Why Democracy Flopped in Pakistan" organised by the LFP district chapter at TMA hall here, he added the democracy claimant political parties even lack democratic approach within the party. Some 300 families are occupying national politics and are present in every form of government, he claimed and added 95 per cent of national resources are being used by this class rendering the country to lag behind India, Bangladesh, and Nepal in South Asia according to UNDP report. LFP is striving for a silent revolution and wants to keep people informed about doings of rulers, he maintained and added now the political parties should take this challenge and led this caravan to its destination.

talking on the occasion, former Federal Minister Mumtaz Ahmad Tarar said democracy is a best available political system and it has not flopped at all but in fact it was not given chance to flourish in the country.

He viewed abolition of feudalism and feudal mentality is the key to success of the democracy. Here, PML MNA Ijaz Ahmad Ch said democracy has not failed here but we being nation have failed to adopt it totally. He advised politicians to work hard for freedom, justice, tolerance and equality in the country. Ex Senator Former Punjab Minister Chaudhry Muhammad Aslam blamed British for keeping people of this area mentally backward, which is the cause of failure of political governments. District Bar Association president advocate Munawwar Iqbal Gondal said the whole nation is responsible for the failure of democracy and urged the nation to act for rehabilitation of true democracy. Jamaat-e-Islami district Ameer Riaz Farooq Sahi blamed politicians for indulging in horse trading and held democratic institutions must be strengthened.