PPP and PML(N) observed the 17th anniversary of the Charter of Democracy (CoD), which is considered to be a milestone in the otherwise checkered political and democratic history of the country. The historic document was signed by former Prime Minister Shaheed Benazir Bhutto and PML(N) supremo Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif on May 14, 2006, solidifying their commitment to a shared vision for the country’s future. Though not all the points agreed to by the two major parties of the country have been implemented in letter and spirit, the understanding has fostered dialogue, improved relations and influenced Pakistani politics for the better.
The 36-point document has all the ingredients to ensure much-needed political stability in the country provided other political forces also commit to the vision of the two major parties as, based on their bitter experience of the past, their accord covered most aspects which had been hampering the growth of democracy in Pakistan. The two parties had proverbial enmity and, frankly speaking, they allowed themselves to be used crudely against each other and as a result none of their governments could complete the constitutionally mandated term. Sensing the dangers of such a situation for the nascent process of democracy, Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and Mian Nawaz Sharif agreed on a future course of action that would brighten prospects for democracy in the country. The Charter they signed included constitutional amendments, code of conduct, free and fair elections and civil-military relations. Their declaration that they would respect the electoral mandate of representative governments and shall not undermine each other through extra constitutional means brought relative stability to their tenures of governance. PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has a point when he proudly says the pursuit of the Charter has enhanced the prestige of the country and strengthened democracy. As President, Asif Ali Zardari demonstrated his commitment to the cause of democracy and supremacy of parliament by voluntarily handing over his powers to parliament and the 18th Constitutional Amendment addressed most of the grievances of the federating units as it delegated powers to them and ensured flow of more resources to the provinces. There is no denying the fact that the CoD included all the points and issues that all political parties profess to uphold but in the absence of any formal understanding among them, they, at times, deviate from the spirit of the Charter. The problems that the country faces today can effectively be taken care of in case all political parties including PTI review their positions, discard self-centred approaches and sign the Charter for the sake of the country as well as their own political future.
