The Daily Steem: An Insider View on Political Pakistan
This is the first entry of a series, that will be written by one of our Pakistani correspondents.
Note: English is not his first language
A Highlight on Pakistan Politics
Pakistan officially known as Islamic Republic of Pakistan is ruled by Federal parliamentary republic government with Mamnoon Hussain as the President and Nawaz Sharif as the prime minister. The Civilian government of Pakistan is always in tussle with the military and the law makers. Nawaz Sharif has returned to office as the first man to serve third term as prime minister of Islamic Republic of Pakistan. The Pakistan Muslim League controlled by Nawaz Sharif remains the major political force in the most populous province of Pakistan known as Punjab.
Other Key Players in Pakistan Politics You Need To Know
Apart from the Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif there are other notable and key players in politics as long the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is concern. Some other key players in Pakistan politics include:
- Asif Ali Zardari: The opposition leader and also known as one of the most controversial political players in Pakistan who accidentally became president due to people’s compassion following murder of his wife.
- Imran Khan: Another opposition leader and the formal international cricketer.
- Raheel Sharif: The army chief
- Zaheerul Islam: The intelligence chief
- Pervez Musharraf: The formal military leader
List of Political Parties in Pakistan
Pakistan is a multi-party democratic system but always subject to military government and there are many political parties in the country. Pakistan legislative body is bicameral and consists of Senate and Pakistan National House of Assembly. But while there are many political particles there are major parties that are in control of power in the country. Some of the major Pakistan political parties are:
- Pakistan Muslim League – N
- Pakistan People’s Party
- Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf
- Qaumi Awami Tahreek ( QAT)
- Jeay Sindh Liberal Front
- Awani National Party
- Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan
- And others.
Hint on Power and Governance in Pakistan
Both civilians and military bureaucracy in Pakistan were strongly affected by the commotion created by partition. The country has cycled through few politicians since the early economic and political crisis. The politicians are corrupt and only interested in keeping their political power and preserving the interest of the influential, in order for them to remain in the delegated authority. These things simply signal a lack of democratic state denying Pakistan citizens fair governance and socio-economic justice.
The role of Islam
National language in the country
Power distribution between the provinces and the center
Provincial representation and lots more.
The Present State of Pakistan Political System
The political system in Pakistan is completely broken and the political parties are not effective as they have been functioning just as instrument of two corrupt families known as Sharif family and Bhuttos. The sheriff supported political parties are closer to the Pakistan military as well as the Pakistan fundamentalists given it advantage over the Bhuttos supported political parties. Also, Pakistan civilian government is known to be highly corrupt and incompetent and the loggerhead between these two families are major cause of political and religion crisis in Pakistan.