The Pakistani Spectator

Democracy may not be ideal and perfect political system however it is generally recognized as the best one among the existing systems That is why most of the countries have adopted it . Pakistan

There may be several other factors which are hurdles in the way of establishment of true democracy in Pakistan but Jagirdari is considered to be the main one. It is also the agreed view that till the influence of landed elites are not broken or substantially curtailed there is little hope of the emergence of genuine liberal democracy, under which the country can be truly put on the path of progress and prosperity

For bringing this change the best way is drastic land reforms. None except the feudals minority and their wheedles would disagree with it However the question, either one can hope for it or not it in Pakistan, needs to be explored

Since the inception of Pakistan abolishment of feudal culture through land reforms is being suggested as essential pre requisite for the establishment of true democracy in Pakistan by progressive intellectuals but of little avail till date

Of course during Ayub khan era and also by Bhutto government some land reforms were made however it were not on wide scale nor much radical so to break the power and influence of the feudals

Unfortunately most of the decision makers and rulers in Pakistan often come from feudal class who naturally oppose and resist any substantial land reforms as it may break their main source which sustain their political influence and help them to reach to the power corridors So in such feudal elite dominated set up one can least hope of any meaningful land reforms through ordinary democratic process Abolishment of Jagirdari or at least drastic land reforms may have the following possible (though remote )ways in Pakistan if it ever have to take place

In the first place it is possible only through revolution (military or civil). This is presently having least probability in Pakistan, due to reasons, Second possibility can be that if some how miraculously or by sheer chance of luck some one emerge from the ruling feudal class of Pakistan who dare to strike the feudalism like the great Chou Win Lie, himself the biggest feudal of China or Indian Pundit Nehru, a landed aristocrat ,did in their respective countries by abolishing the feudalism with one stroke as soon as they took the reigns of government. or make drastic land reforms

Third is to wait so that in the long run feudalism by itself loose its power through evolutionary process .However in that case a lot of water would have been flowed under the bridges and none can say with confidence what would have happened to Pakistan due to continuous lack of true democracy during that period

As the above possibilities are either based on mere chance and luck or remote future so many hopes can not be attached with it

The last hope, a comparatively reasonable one,is the emergence of such new main stream political party which makes land reforms for the abolishment of jagirdari culture as its first priority

such a party should have feasible revolutionary program sorted out in the context of objective condition of the people and the country and should be led by honest, capable , sincere , committed courageous and truly patriotic and FAQIR MINISH ( not-materialist) , persons. In particular its leadership must be from middle class as a party dominated and led by upper-class leadership can rarely bring change for the better

If a party with the above characteristics emerged in near future and got the support of common masses then one can rightly hope for the abolishment of feudalism and thus for true liberal democracy

Such type, of party with the name Pak Jamhoor Party though less known yet ,has been working since 1998

A well known social and political writer and highly respected intellectual Masud Mufti is presently the convener of this party under whom supervision and guidance the party affairs are being managed and dealt by persons reputed for integrity, sincerity, commitments, honesty and principles

As the party is yet less known and needs to be introduced among the intellectual circles as wee as common masses

Being justly seen as a ray rather beam of hope in the present pessimistic political scenario. one may wish and pray that some dynamic ,charismatic and inspiring personals sincerely committed to the cause of party come forward and get it popular through out the country . If this party gain roots among the masses then hopes for optimism can be nourished in the other wise current pessimistic political scene of Pakistan