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Cover Story

Elections, Pakistan Style!

The events of the past few months have made it clear even to the most dense that the will of the people has nothing to do with the way their country is governed.

By Nikhat Sattar | August 2023


The history of democracy and elections for public representatives is quite old, as is the battle for political power, in which individuals and groups have vied for control of resources (including human) on the basis of wealth, religious beliefs and social status. Over centuries, various democratic and semi-ones have evolved, depending upon local economic, social and political conditions. Needless to say, the colonisation process has had a major role to play in influencing what goes for post-colonial democratization, the latter having mostly replaced foreign masters by local ones.

In simple terms, democracy is the rule of people, by the people. For this, they are supposed to elect a number of representatives who, with their support and approval, are presumed to look after and develop their welfare. The key to democracy is accountability of those elected to the ones electing them. There is no concept of rulers and ruled; rather of managing or governing affairs of people on their behalf. If anything, the elected are servants of the people.

This concept is unknown to the majority of Pakistanis and anathema to the few who have “ruled” over them ever since independence from British rule. After several constituent assemblies had been formed since 1947, the year 1958 saw the country come under military rule, a fatal but continued experiment that was the major cause of the breakup in 1971. By July 2023, the truncated country has seen two fully-fledged martial laws and multiple hybrid rules: often rigged elections with a civilian government apparently in power, but strings being pulled by the military.

The only institution that can claim to be well run is the military and its affiliated set-ups. It is also a major holder of the country’s resources, alongside politicians, property tycoons and criminal barons. The country is a classic example of elite capture, with the resources of the nation, whether indigenous or borrowed, having been directed towards the favoured few and their generations who have become richer in perks and benefits.

The events of the past few months have made it clear even to the most dense that the will of the people has nothing to do with the way their country is governed. They shall continue to be held in bonded labour to the powers that be, while the so called civilian political parties do the latter’s bidding, having conveniently sold their souls. The “elite” have closed their ranks and nothing short of a sustained, long term resistance that comes from within the suffering masses can tipple the game. Given the socio-economic conditions of the Pakistani people, this is well-nigh impossible.


Following upon the approval of the IMF tranche, election timings are being discussed. At least two parties are vying for return to power at federal and provincial levels. Nudged by the powers, decisions have been made in Dubai and London on the caretaker set-up and seat adjustments. After dismantling and keeping the PTI almost out of the game (the latest a farcical “confession” by PTI chairman’s personal secretary), the field has been opened just to ensure that the necessary numbers are achieved. Khan will be put into jail most certainly and a sham voting process put into place. Regardless of the voter turnout, votes will be cast, for creative ways can be found to coerce or fudge the numbers to declare “free and fair “elections.

KP and Punjab “caretaker” governments have been in power well-beyond their constitutional tenure without much hue and cry.

On the other hand, KP and Punjab “caretaker” governments have been in power well-beyond their constitutional tenure without much hue and cry. There is no reason why a handpicked caretaker set-up at federal level cannot follow suit. Elections will be held, not at the time determined by the Constitution, but at a time to be decided by the real power holders, and agreed to, by the fake ones.

This time, the fate of Pakistanis is sealed: we will remain under conditions of some of the lowest human development indicators: high infant and maternal mortality, lowest in gender equality and women uplift, high morbidity with water and air borne diseases and scraping a living. Even as our “rulers”, both at and behind the scenes, spend trillions in their travel, protocol and luxurious lifestyles. They will continue to build real estate here and abroad, while we eke out our meagre living in urban slums, feeding on vegetables grown on land irrigated with sewage water. Our enemy number 1 that has been made the reason for our massive defence expense shall develop scientists, researchers and make great strides in export and technology, while we make millions more babies, the males growing up to be manual labourers or clerks in overstaffed and bloated state institutions and the women serving as housemaids and child producers. And of course, our public assets will be sold off, one by one, to our “friendly” nations.

All television channels have already been either bought off, or made to sing to the same tune. Even newspapers that could claim neutrality until a few months are beginning to accept that they must bow to the powers holding the reins. Only some part of social media has been left untouched. People are, however, tired. Missing journalists remain missing; courts keep adjourning petitions and the common man faces a gruelling existence. We may not realise it, but a consistent, poisonous and mala fide election campaign has been run by almost all television channels and newspapers as the military and the incumbent government rub each other’s back and demonise those out of favour. In fact, we are all but being told in so many words to vote for the PDM parties, with the army backing the government’s “economic revival plan.” With the economy in total disarray, a non-viable state and continued taxes on the salaried class, no sane person can see any positive signs.

Do we really need elections in a true sense? A senior columnist and author, known for his incisive pieces, notes that our “obese” cabinet came to a person count of “34 federal ministers, seven ministers of state, four advisers to the prime minister and 39 special assistants to the prime minister….” We have 342 MNAs and 100 senators, whose good offices shall continue to be used to spend the new $3 billion tranche of the IMF.

So, yes, to whether elections will be held in Pakistan. This year or the next, it could hardly matter. The results are pre-determined and known to all.

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