The year 2023 has been exceptionally eventful as far as the state of democracy in Pakistan is concerned. The gamesmen of the ‘same page’ of the ‘hybrid regime’ had started falling apart by the end of the previous year when the Bajwa-Imran-Faiz trio could not muddle through what they had planned for the next couple of years, at least. The first-ever successful vote of no-confidence against a prime minister occurred on April 10, 2022, resulting in Imran’s ceasing to hold office as prime minister. The PTI tried its best to offset the process through the speaker of the National Assembly, but the Supreme Court intervened to rescue the constitutional process. The PTI alleged that the opposition had conspired with foreign nations to unseat Imran Khan and called on its supporters to stage protest rallies across the country.

The provincial governments of the Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were dissolved on January 14 and 18, respectively, to force the PDM government in Islamabad to call general election. However, the caretaker chief ministers sworn in the two provinces have continued in office. In August 2023, the provincial assemblies of Sindh and Balochistan, along with the National Assembly, were dissolved, and caretaker governments were sworn in to allow the electoral exercise to be conducted as per the constitution. Once again, following an intervention by the apex court, the Election Commission of Pakistan announced that elections to the National and Provincial Assemblies will be held on February 8, 2024. The court had to reiterate, time and again, that elections will be held on the given date, and not delayed.

According to the US-based Freedom House’s annual index, Pakistan’s democratic score has declined progressively since 2017. It has now categorised Pakistan as a partly democratic country. Pakistan is thus tagged as a ‘partly free’ country with a score of 37 out of 100 in Freedom in the World 2023 report. The report highlights the weakening of democratic institutions, blaming it on the military’s interference in politics, the decline in media freedom and the rise of religious extremism.

The state institutions, supposed to be arbiters for the dispensation of justice were rendered controversial during the year. The apex court under Chief Justice Bandial was accused of being partisan in favour of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf. It was alleged that benches to hear cases with a political dimension were formed on a partisan basis. This seemed to have divided the court, making some judges express their resentment in writing and making it public. Some of the politically important cases were never taken up. Others were hastened at will and disposed of with short orders.

In some cases detailed written decisions were not issued. Hence, a perception of forming benches to render decisions in favour of favourite parties got strengthened. The image of the apex court saw a recovery under Justice Qazi Faez Isa when he ordered live coverage of the court proceedings in important constitutional cases. This provided an opportunity for the media and the public to watch proceedings for the first time in the country’s history. This act alone can raise public confidence in the Supreme Court. If adjudication continues in a fair manner, the Supreme Court can play a vital role in bringing democracy on track.

The role of media and press freedom are crucial in strengthening democracy. Pakistan experienced a downslide in this aspect by registering at 150 out of 180 countries in 2023 as per the Reporters Without Borders index. Media workers face multiple challenges, including abduction of reporters and anchors, no-go areas with regard to reporting and legislation to curb press freedom and self-censorship.

A functioning democracy depends largely on the successful completion of electoral cycles, which provide an opportunity for the electorate to pick their representatives for the National and Provincial Assemblies. It inspires confidence in the people who actually are the source of power to be exercised by the members of legislative assemblies and the Executive in the form of cabinets. The Election Commission is responsible for ensuring free and fair elections by providing a level playing field to all the contestants. The neutrality of this process provides legitimacy to the parties securing majorities in election results. Unfortunately, the ECP was a subject of controversy throughout the year 2023. It was accused of willfully delaying elections in violation of the constitution and of being partisan. Its contribution to making the democracy robust and credible has thus been compromised.

The events of May 9, when some political activists run amok and vandalised important state properties, and the subsequent trials of the perpetrators in military and anti-terrorism courts have also earned the ire of human rights defenders. The riots triggered a crackdown on workers and leaders of the PTI that has yet to stop. Although May 9 is a dark chapter, labelled by some as Pakistan’s 9/11, it has been argued that the perpetrators may be tried in civil courts and that this should not be used to undermine the political process or as an excuse for repressive measures against genuine political workers. In October, the Supreme Court declared the trial of civilians in military courts illegal. Overall, May 9 and its repercussions have damaged democracy in Pakistan.

On International Day of Democracy (September 15) this year, the PILDAT proposed that in the specific context of Pakistan, elections need to be fair and free in its pre-election, election-day and post-election phases. Emphasis and focus is needed to establish and sustain effective and financially empowered local governments preferably through a constitutional amendment and non-interference in politics by those who do not possess political mandate so that elected legislatures and governments complete their constitutionally mandated terms to implement their election manifestos and to be accountable to the electorate i.e. the people of Pakistan.

The writer has a PhD in History from Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad. He heads the History Department at University of Sargodha. He has worked as a research fellow at Royal Holloway College, University of London. He can be reached at abrar.zahoor@hotmail.com. His X handle: @AbrarZahoor1