THE following were the words of a renowned revolutionist: “What difference does it make to the dead, the orphans and the homeless, whether the mad destruction is wrought under the name of totalitarianism or in the holy name of liberty or democracy?”

It is believed that popularity can win seats in major elections, but it can never guarantee a true democracy. Democracy will not work (anyway, it will not be a true one) unless its people (those who make a government popular) are adequately prepared for it with knowledge and reason.

It is worth mentioning here that Adolf Hitler was elected by democratic means the consequences of which were the suffering of the very people who elected him.

Due to an intolerable degree of ignorance and lack of political education, democracy in Pakistan is generally considered only holding of election and perceived as “thumbing day”. Once it is over, the trial and tribulation of the people starts. They remain in constant pathos and sorrow. Then nobody cares about the post-election scenario of democracy.

People unknowingly elect leaders as directed or rather bribed by local influenced persons and then the elected leaders get omniscient empowerment and digress from their main objective of serving the people.

In a real sense, true democracy is the best way for the government to provide relief to the people. However, true democracy must be thoroughly studied and implemented.

Unfortunately, in the name of democracy, this government has broken all previous records of knavery and mendacity by doing and implementing anti-people policies and legislations. Not only at the national level, but even at the local level people have been left at the helm of affairs.

This so-called democratic government has gifted the people with inflation, unemployment, crimes and poverty.

The bitter reality is that the literacy rate of Pakistan shows that people are credulous. So charlatan and mendacious politicians take benefit of this.

The majority of Pakistanis don’t know the power of their voting. On the day of election they just go and thumb as directed by the local influenced person.

Theodore Roosevelt said, “A vote is like a rifle: its usefulness depends upon the character of the user.”

Therefore, parliamentary or any other form of democracy in Pakistan can not bear positive fruit until and unless people are politically educated and aware of the power of their voting or thumbing during election.

Last but not least, people must be politically educated regarding being knowledgeable about every aspect of a true democracy.

SAJJAD RUSTAMANI
Hyderabad