Question

Why is Pakistan under General Parvez Musharraf not called a Democracy?

Answer 1

Hint: We need to know that Pakistan is a democratic country where people elect their representatives by the voting rights given to them. But in $1999$, General Parvez Musharraf took several steps that established autocracy in the country. The people were not given their rights to choose a leader. The power to make all the final decisions lied with the army officials and General Musharraf.

Complete answer:
1. In October $1999$ , General Musharraf overthrew the democratically elected government and tied a military coup by declaring himself as the Chief Executive of the Country.
2. Human rights organizations, democracy activists, and the Media stated that the referendum granted by General Musharraf that gave him a five year presidential extension was based on malpractice and fraud.
3. General Musharraf issued a Legal framework in the year $2002$ amending the constitutional policies of Pakistan. The new policies allowed the President to dismiss the National and Provincial Assemblies.
4. The work of the Civilian Cabinet was supervised by The National Security Council but the NSC was also made to function under the dominance of the Military. Elections were held to the Assemblies but the elected representatives didn’t have complete power. The Military and General Musharraf himself enjoyed the final powers.

Note: We need to remember that in India a Democracy, people elect their representatives to National and Provincial Assemblies. The elected representatives are not the actual rulers. Similarly, in Pakistan, the final power was with the Military and General Musharraf. They were not elected by the people. Therefore, Pakistan under General Parvez Musharraf couldn’t be called a Democracy.