Political parties across all spectrums are overwhelmingly unanimous that Pakistan should remain a parliamentary democracy, in which citizens directly elect representatives to formulate laws and represent them. The 1973 Constitution, which was passed by consensus among all political parties, declared Pakistan an Islamic Republic with executive power vested in the office of the prime minister and the president being the formal head of state representing the federation.
This arrangement has historically created a power tug-or-war between both positions and we have witnessed elected prime ministers being sent packing through undemocratic ways. The 8th Amendment gave the president the power to dissolve the National Assembly, until the landmark 18th Amendment handed over the powers back to parliament.
There are being rumours circulating about the imposition of some kind of emergency in the country and a complete overhaul of the democratic system. These rumours mills, which were earlier confined to social media, are increasingly gaining traction and suggest favouring a presidential form of government.
Even the opposition has suspected foul play and have blamed the PTI government for being behind the campaign to distract people’s attention from the economic woes. Amid the gossip, members of the joint opposition have resolved to uphold and strengthen the parliamentary system enshrined under the 1973 Constitution. The government has denied the rumours, terming them part of ‘fake news culture.’
It should be contemplated whether there is an ounce of truth to the whisperings that the prime minister is contemplating imposing an emergency and revamping the system. Indian prime minister Indira Gandhi had imposed an emergency for over two years in 1975, considered as the darkest period in the country’s history which it saw a crackdown on civil liberties and stifled dissent. The nation descended into chaos which eventually led to Gandhi’s assassination.
The nation needs to decide over the change of system as it would require abrogating the constitution and bringing new laws. The government should instead fix the voting methods, electoral system, law and order, criminal justice system and the other weaknesses impacting our democratic system. It would be advisable than the herculean task of revamping the entire system just to protect vested interests.
