Why pakistan under Parvez Musharraf can not be called a democracy ?
Answers
Parvez Musharraf was a military dictator who led a military coup to overthrow the then democracy. He went against the beliefs of democracy by instilling his own men on the cabinet instead of the elected members.
-In Pakistan General Pervez Musharraf tied a military coup in October 1999. He overthrew a democratically elected government and declared as Chief Executive of country.
-He changed his designation to President later and in 2002 held a referendum that granted him a 5 year extension.
-Pakistan media, human rights organizations and democracy activists said that the referendum was based on malpractices and fraud.
-In August 2002 he issued a Legal Framework order amending the constitution of Pakistan. Now the president could dismiss the national / provincial assemblies.
-The work of civilian cabinet is supervised by a National Security Council dominated by military. After the law was passed, elections were held to the assemblies.
- Thus there were elections elected representatives had some power but the final power was with the military and General Musharraf himself.
CONCLUSION: People may have elected representatives to national and provincial assemblies but those elected representatives are not really the rulers. The final power is with Army officials and General Musharraf who are not elected by people. Therefore, Pakistan couldn’t be called a democracy