The world has ultimately come to a conclusion, after experimenting with different forms of government in history. Monarchy, oligarchy, military or civil dictatorships and similar other forms of the government have all failed, irrespective of the sincere wishes of the individual leaders who came to the fore through any of these processes.
In line with the lessons of history, and despite all its past experiences of failure, there is no other messianic way out to lead Pakistan towards a progressive state, except to establish the roots of democracy firmly. We should examine the causes of failure and the ways and means to rectify them.
It has been ruled by generals for more than half its history. They came in the name of rooting out the corruption of politicians, but actually they weeded out the seeds of democracy from the country. Secondly, mass illiteracy is mentioned as a basic cause of failure. But this is not the case.
Even an illiterate human being has his own concept of moral values, his own likes and dislikes, his own standards of right and wrong, his own sense of good and evil. He can take a decision concerning what is good for him, for his family and for his country.
Lack of education does not prevent him from taking a right decision. Lack of character, integrity and moral sense makes the real difference. The third ingredient necessary for the success of democracy, in Pakistan, is to emancipate the rural areas from the clutches of the local landlords, ie to take steps for the abolition of 'the Jagirdari' system.
A period of two years is enough to draw conclusions. The popularity or the efficiency of every government comes to the fore very clearly. If the people are given a choice for elections every two years, there would be no need for the President or the military to remove any corrupt or inefficient, unpopular politcian, as in practice.