Prof. Dr. Thair Jamil, Political Scientist
Zaheerudin Dar, Ex-Bureaucrat and Development Consultant
Rana Riaz Saeed, Development Economist
Politics permeates every level of society - from our homes to villages, towns, and cities. Since the dawn of humanity, we have observed political undertones in our affairs. An intriguing insight into this is seen in Islamic history, where Prophet Mohammad’s initiatives like the Mesaq e Yesrab and Sulah E Hudebia provided political solutions.
Historically, monarchy dominated governance structures. However, Islam introduced a pivotal change with the system of Bait – a trust-based community system. This, in essence, evolved into what we understand as the modern voting system. The Quran aptly states, “Amrohum shura bainahum”, encouraging resolving matters through consultation. This can be likened to the concept of a modern parliament, where representatives deliberate and frame laws. Democracy, as we know it, can be seen deeply rooted in Islamic traditions that advocate consultation.
The concept of the modern nation-state hinges on politics. Using the creation of Pakistan as an exemplar, it's evident that the nation's foundation was an outcome of political maneuvering. The struggle for rights, especially for minorities and the underrepresented, was at the forefront of these political discussions. Prominent figures like Quaid e Azam and Allama Iqbal were actively involved in politics to champion the rights of Muslims in the subcontinent. Allama Iqbal, in his book "Reconstruction of Religious Thoughts", advocated for the Shurah as a means for progress.
Therefore, discussing rights is intrinsically a political process. Politics serves as the bedrock where individuals convene to address their daily challenges, striving to strike a balance between individual and collective needs. While history has seen various forms of governance, democracy has emerged as the most universally accepted model. Democratic societies fund their institutions through taxes and operate on a majority rule. However, concurrently, democratic constitutions, built through a consultative process, ensure the protection of minority rights.
From the grassroots of local community levels, extending to provincial and federal structures, there's an evident distribution of rights and responsibilities. It’s in this structure that votes gain their profound significance.
#Democracy #Constitution #Pakistan #Election #Parliament #Vote #VoteNama #Governance #LocalGovernment #Autonomy @ElectionCommissionOfPakistan
