Undoubtedly, the economic and social system in Pakistan is both exploitative and oppressive. In the economic sphere, the status quo favours the rich at the expense of the poor. The result is growing inequalities of income and wealth and widespread poverty making it difficult for about 60% of the people of Pakistan to make both ends meet. They suffer from lack of adequate education, health and sanitation facilities, non-availability of clean drinking water, and poor housing. Their life of deprivation is in marked contrast with the luxuries to which Pakistan’s elite has become accustomed. The life of the down-trodden in Pakistan is made even more miserable by the oppression and injustice to which they are subjected by the powerful and rich segments of society. This lethal combination of deprivation and injustice has made the life of the common man in Pakistan unbearable. The most important task facing any government in the country, therefore, is to reform the current system so as to ameliorate the living conditions of the people at large. Our failure to do so would doom the country to continued unrest and instability, jeopardizing its progress and even its survival. As the famous saying of Hazrat Ali goes, a government based on injustice cannot survive for long.
Fortunately, we have in place a democratic system which, despite its shortcomings and weaknesses because of repeated military takeovers, provides the opportunity to the people to voice their grievances and seek redress for the injustices done to them. Periodic transparent elections, criticism by the opposition parties within the elected assemblies and outside, an independent judiciary to prevent violations of law and dispense justice, and the fear of exposure by an independent and vibrant media should keep the elected governments under effective check. As the democratic system takes root and its institutions gain strength, it will become progressively more difficult for the governments to ignore the aspirations of the people or neglect their welfare. Periodic elections at various levels alone are a constant reminder to the elected governments that their performance would be subject to scrutiny by the people who will judge ultimately whether they would continue in power or would be booted out. The uninterrupted functioning of the democratic system, however, is an essential condition to reap its benefits fully. As someone has aptly remarked, the answer to the failings of democracy is more democracy rather than its replacement by some dictatorial set-up.
Unfortunately, Pakistan’s history has been a witness to repeated interruptions of the democratic system and its substitution by military governments which have ruled the country for almost half of the period since its independence. These military takeovers were not only responsible for many of our national disasters like the dismemberment of Pakistan in 1971 and the loss of Siachin in 1984, but also prevented the growth and maturing of our political institutions. The military governments violated the sanctity of the Constitution, weakened other institutions of the state, and undermined the rule of law which is an indispensable condition for political stability, justice and sustainable economic progress in the country. Even when the military was not ruling the country, it manipulated the politicians and various state institutions from behind the scenes to get policy decisions which suited its vested interests or its thinking on important national issues. It is only now that we finally see the military establishment distancing itself from direct or indirect involvement in politics under the leadership of the incumbent chief of the army staff. Unfortunately, it seems that there are still some rogue elements who, for their ulterior motives, would like the military to get bogged down once again in politics instead of focusing in a single-minded fashion on its professional duties in accordance with its constitutional obligations.
In view of the life of deprivation and frustrations to which the masses in Pakistan are condemned, Imran Khan’s call for change and a new Pakistan have fallen on receptive ears and has energized the people. The prevalent system in the country must be reformed to make it responsive to the aspirations of the people. However, it is essential that this change takes place within the framework of a democratic system which alone can create a people-friendly environment in Pakistan. The change for the better cannot be brought about through demands for the resignation of elected governments on the basis of unproven allegations or a few well-attended public meetings. Such demands merely breed political instability, lawlessness and anarchy. It is the people of Pakistan who must collectively pronounce upon the legitimacy and the performance of elected governments through periodic elections.
Imran Khan’s demand for Nawaz Sharif’s resignation on the basis of unproven allegations is illogical and runs contrary to the recognized principles of democracy and natural justice. What he can rightfully demand is impartial investigation and necessary corrective action in respect of the allegations of rigging that his party has made. According to media reports, PTI has formally submitted complaints of election irregularities with respect to only a limited number of National Assembly constituencies. Even though the final outcome of these complaints one way or the other would not change the over-all national election result, Imran Khan and PTI deserve their quick disposal in the interests of justice. PTI cannot logically demand investigation of the remaining constituencies, especially when other political parties have accepted the election results despite their reservations. Still, to put the matter to rest, a Commission of the judges of the Supreme Court under the leadership pf the Chief Justice of Pakistan, in whom Imran Khan has reposed full confidence, should be tasked immediately to investigate whether the results of last year’s elections were distorted through organized rigging.
There are serious doubts and questions about PTI’s charge of wholesale rigging in favour of PML(N) at last year’s election, especially in light of the devastating disclosures made by Javed Hashmi. But Imran Khan’s scathing criticism of the prevailing exploitative and oppressive system in Pakistan merits close attention and corrective action on the part of the federal and provincial governments and the ruling elite. At the same time, it is incumbent upon Imran Khan to elaborate the policies and programmes that he would adopt to overcome the ills from which the country suffers and usher in the era of change he has promised. This is required particularly because of the less than stellar performance of his party’s government in KPK. Further, the fact that many of the people around Imran are either the beneficiaries of the status quo or the remnants of Pervez Musharraf’s military regime does not inspire confidence in his ability to bring about required change or strengthen democracy in the country.
The need for reform of the prevailing system in Pakistan was never greater or more urgent. The change must take place quickly and visibly to the satisfaction of the masses who are at the receiving end under present unjust economic and social dispensation. Business as usual to which our governments are accustomed, is not acceptable to the people. Our leaders must demonstrate the spirit of public service and come out immediately with wide-ranging and far-reaching political, economic, social and administrative reforms to make the present system fair, just and equitable. Their failure to do so will cast them and other members of the Pakistani elite in the dust bin of history.

n    The writer is a retired ambassador and the president of the Lahore Council for World Affairs.