PARTY SYSTEM OF PAKISTAN

INTRODUCTION

Pakistan has a multi-party system where numerous political parties compete for seats in the National and Provincial Assemblies. While the country has seen a dominant two-party system at times, particularly between the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League (N) (PML-N), it is ultimately a multi-party democracy. Other significant parties include Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). Pakistan’s numerous political parties span the ideological spectrum, as well as represent diverse regional, ethnic, and religious constituencies.

 

ELECTION PROCEDURE OF PAKISTAN

Since establishment in 1947, Pakistan has had a non-symmetric federal government and is a federal parliamentary democratic republic. The Pakistan Constitution guides general elections in Part VIII, Chapter 2 and various amendments. A multi-party system is in effect, with the National Assembly consisting of 342 seats and the Senate consisting of 100 seats (after ex-FATA merger) elected from the four provinces. The Constitution dictates general elections be held every five years, when the National Assembly has completed its term or has been dissolved, and Senatorial elections be held every six years. By law, general elections must be held within two months of the National Assembly completing its term.

 

Between 1947 and 1958, there were no direct elections held in Pakistan at the national level. Provincial elections were held occasionally. The West Pakistan provincial elections were described as "a farce, a mockery and a fraud upon the electorate." In 1988, the general elections were held again which marked the PPP coming in power but dismissed in two years following the lawlessness situation in the country. In 1990, the general elections saw the right-wing alliance forming the government but dismissed in 1993 after the alliance collapsed. The general elections in 1993 saw the PPP forming government after successfully seeking plurality in the Parliament.

 

ROLE OF POLITICAL PARTIES

In Pakistan, political parties play a crucial role in shaping the country's political landscape, acting as intermediaries between the state and society. They participate in elections, form governments, and develop policies across various domains, including social, economic, and foreign policy. However, their effectiveness is often challenged by factors like military interventions, weak party systems, and the need to balance diverse interests.

 

1. Representation and Participation: Political parties represent various segments of Pakistani society, including regional, ethnic, and religious groups. They contest elections to gain representation in the National and Provincial Assemblies. These parties mobilize public support, contest elections, and form governments, aiming to implement their respective agendas.

 

2. Policy Making and Governance: Parties that secure a majority in elections form the government and are responsible for developing and implementing policies.  They play a vital role in shaping legislation, influencing public opinion, and addressing national issues. However, their autonomy in policy-making can be limited by factors like military influence, bureaucratic structures, and the need to maintain political stability.

3. Accountability and Transparency: Political parties are expected to be accountable to their constituents and the broader public. They should operate with transparency and promote good governance. However, corruption, lack of internal party democracy, and weak institutional capacity can hinder their ability to fulfill these expectations.

 

4. Promoting Democracy: Political parties are essential for the functioning of a democratic system. They provide a platform for political participation, competition, and debate. However, Pakistan's political history has been marked by military interventions and political instability, which have significantly impacted the development of strong and independent political parties.

 

5. Shaping National Identity: Political parties, particularly those with strong ideological leanings, contribute to shaping Pakistan's national identity. Right-wing parties, for example, have played a role in promoting Islamic values and national sovereignty. However, this can also lead to challenges in managing diversity and promoting inclusivity.

 

6. Challenges Faced by Political Parties:

·       Military Interference: The military has historically played a significant role in Pakistani politics, often influencing government policies and limiting the autonomy of political parties.

·       Weak Party Systems: Pakistan's party system is characterized by weak party structures, lack of internal democracy, and a tendency towards personality-based politics.

·       Ideological Polarization: Political parties often adopt strong ideological positions, which can lead to polarization and hinder consensus-building.

·       Regionalism and Ethnic Tensions: Pakistan's diverse regional and ethnic landscape can create challenges for national integration and political stability.

POLITICAL PARTIES

Political parties are the most imperative element of political system in determining the direction, nature and level of political development. Political history of Pakistan is marred with military interventions and for the first time a smooth democratic transition of power was made possible after general elections in 2013.

 

THE PAKISTAN PEOPLE’S PARTY (PPP)

The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) was formed in 1968 by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, working with a number of liberal leftists who wanted Pakistan to disregard the idiom of religion in politics in favor of a program of rapid modernization of the country and the introduction of a socialist economy. The PPP emerged as the majority party in West Pakistan in the elections of 1970 (though the Awami League in East Pakistan won the largest number of legislative seats). Following the disruption of the ensuing war, which produced the independent country of Bangladesh from East Pakistan, Bhutto was called to form a government in 1972. The PPP was suppressed under the military government of 1977–88 but returned to power in 1988–90 and 1993–96 under the leadership of Bhutto’s daughter Benazir. In 2008, after the nine-year period of military rule, the party joined in a civilian coalition government.

 

THE MUSLIM LEAGUE

The Muslim League, formed in 1906 in what is now Bangladesh, had spearheaded the Pakistan independence movement under Mohammed Ali Jinnah. However, by the time of the military coup in 1958 it had endured many setbacks and much fragmentation, and in 1962 it splintered into two parts, the Conventionist Pakistan Muslim League and the Council Muslim League. In the elections of 1970 it almost disappeared as a political party, but it was resurrected in 1985 and became the most important component of the Islamic Democratic Alliance, which took over Punjab’s administration in 1988. Since then, Muslim League factions have been associated with powerful personalities (e.g., Nawaz Sharif and Pervez Musharraf).

 

PAKISTAN TEHREEK-E-INSAF (PTI)

In 1996 the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) was formed by cricket player Imran Khan to oppose government corruption and promote social welfare. It remained uncompetitive and marginal until the 2010s, when it took a decidedly populist approach to politics, organizing large rallies and courting several veteran politicians. In the 2013 elections the party received the second highest number of votes for seats in the National Assembly and won leadership of the provincial government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Its popularity continued to surge, especially as a corruption scandal shook confidence in the ruling party in the run-up to the 2018 elections; it emerged as the National Assembly’s largest party after elections were held.

 

JAMAʿAT-I ISLAMI

The Islamic Assembly (Jamaʿat-i Islami), founded in 1941 by Abū al-Aʿlā Mawdūdī (Maududi), commands a great deal of support among the urban lower-middle classes (as well as having great influence abroad). Two other religious parties, the Assembly of Islamic Clergy (Jamīʿat ʿUlamāʾ-e Islām) and the Assembly of Pakistani Clergy (Jamīʿat ʿUlamāʾ-e Pakistan), have strong centers of support, the former in Karachi and the latter in the rural areas of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

 

 

CONCLUSION

Political development is a pre-requisite to the success and strength of democracy. Political parties are an essential component of democratic system and a major catalyst of political development. Their productive role not only enhances the level of political development in the country but also promotes a sense of ownership and belonging among the masses. Their strength breeds political development and their inefficiency surely promotes political decay. Political development can be ensured in Pakistan through effective political participation. Public opinion matters alot in this regard and without it democracy cannot flourish in a country.

Political parties should institutionalize themselves through gradual democratization in party structure specially holding party elections. Political stability not only enhances political participation but also stimulate political development. But for stable political system, Pakistan needs substantial reforms, capacity building and institutionalization.