Awareness about Democracy, Radio Program series

Radio Swat Program series

Main Bhi Pakistan Hoon

Theme: Democratic behaviors

Anchorperson’s name: Muhammad Daud Khan

Topic   : Democratic decentralization

Date    : 12-07-11

Target Area     :  KPK and FATA

Welcome to the show, I am your host Muhammad Daud Khan and you are listening program “Main Bhi Pakistan Hoon”. Usual, we talk about democratic behaviors on Tuesday. Today, we talk democratic decentralization. It means introduction of democracy among the people on local level. Democracy is the government of the people. People have right to elect their representatives according to their own wishes. The transition of political, financial and other powers from center government to provincial and local level is called decentralization.  Whether, Pakistan has a democratic setup on provincial and local level or not? Democracy does not prevail in centralize form in west. The people of villages and towns are being provided full opportunity to take part in the process of democracy in the west.  However, our major political parties have lack of democratic culture. Pakistan political parties are working according to the principles of inherited politics. Party head and some specific people have more influence in the party affairs.  Our political parties are talking about democracy but they have no democratic culture in their own political parties.  They should provide opportunity to the lay man to lead the party.  How we can introduce democracy among the common people on local level? The people should be empowered in local administration.

Financial decentralization means provide access to the resources. We have a lot of resources in many parts of the country especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. However, non-local are taking benefits from these resources instead of the local. Many parts of Baluchistan have lack of gas facility in spite of its domestic product. However, the people of other parts of the country like Islamabad, Karachi, Faisal Abad and Peshawar have facility of the gas. Local people access should be ensured to take benefits from their resources.  Political decentralization is also a part of our discussion. The introduction of local government was a good initiative toward decentralization of government in the country. Whether Pakistan has decentralize democracy or not? Whether, power and function of center should be transferred to the provinces or not? What do you think? You can also share your views with us. Now, we are moving toward your calls.

Call, no-1(Ihsanulla from Dir):  I think Pakistan is a so-called democratic country. Our political parties have lack of democratic culture. I think local government can play a better role to empower people on local level because people cannot afford to travel Islamabad to resolve their problems. Unfortunately, political parties are opposing local government in Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. We should introduce local government with reforms in the country for the uplift of the people.

Call, no-2(Habib from Swat): The central government is taking all key decisions including budgets in the country. I think the public issues are not being addressed in the country in a democratic way.

Call, no-3(Abdul Tawab from Lahore):  We have a trend of favoritism in our democratic culture. Our politicians are giving importance only to a few people in the country. They are ignoring the interest of the country. An independent judiciary and sound system of accountability can bring change in the society.

Call, no-4(Israr Bach from Dir): We have independent judiciary. But, I think US has more influence in our affair due to which our government cannot take decision independently. We are confronting with power crisis but cannot supply gas from Iran due to American pressure.

Anchorperson: Why we always blame US, India and Israel? We should also work for our stability.

Israr Bacha: US suspended Pakistan military aid. However, I am happy over it because it will get rid Pakistan from many conditions. We should not compromise over country’s sovereignty at any cost. Pakistan can resolve its all issue and crisis with assistance of China like Iran. We have discovered many resources in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Anchorperson: We should realize our responsibility to utilize our resources and potentials for the uplift of the country instead of blaming others. We are discussing democratic decentralization in Pakistan. We should introduce a system of decentralize democracy in the country. It will pave way to produce new leaders because we have many talented people.

Call, no-5(Abdul Malik from Nowshera): We have lack of fair leaders in the country.

 We talked about democratic decentralization. Thanks for your participation and Allah Hafiz.  End