Session 9 - Is Presidential form of government suitable in Pakistan?

Currently, Pakistan is experiencing a mixed, ‘hybrid’ form of government which consists of elements of both the parliamentary and presidential form of systems. The country had a parliamentary system after its birth, which was then shifted to a presidential form with the 1962 constitution but later on it reverted back to the parliamentary system with the 1973 constitution that is in practice till today. – Various amendments in the constitution are carried out by the leaders, so can it be viewed that the democratic, parliamentary system exists only in paper? Does the true pure form of parliamentary system suitable for Pakistan?

Parliamentary form of system is considered as a direct descendant of Monarchy. Moreover, as stated by S.C. Stroke, for a true parliamentary democracy political parties are an essential component. However, the question arises that are the current political parties capable enough to accommodate the essence of liberal democracy where people with different backgrounds can represent their group?

It is true that in a Parliamentary system the division of power is often blurred but this does not mean lack of power sharing. A decentralized decision making with powers vested in various ranking of the government can be a part of parliamentary system. United Kingdom serves a great example of it where although the ultimate power of decision rests under the executive, the Crown but the decision making power is greatly differentiated with the House of Commons and House of Lords being part of the legislative process. On other hand, the presidential system is constructed strictly on the Doctrine of “separation of powers’ and the President and core legislative body is elected directly by the public. – In Pakistan where large parts of the country are likely to have their candidates elected to the office every time, will a presidential system be suitable?

Though this system will bridge a close relation between the leaders and the public, the charismatic leadership in Pakistan which is usually dominated by the feudal hegemony held by the ruling elite will create this advantage of the system as a drawback. However, the parliamentary system promises an opportunity to allow more people to compete with the ruling class and be a part of the government institution if functioned in its proper form.

Moreover, in a parliamentary system the government is elected once whereas in the presidential form it’s elected twice, first the congress and then the President. If the President believes in a different ideology than the majority of the congress, the government will be at loss while passing any legislation as it will be following a very slow pace.

Whatever the final outcome maybe, it is imperative for the country to move away from the mixed form of system to a proper system of government. Decentralization of decision making and the clean up process within the political parties should be taken by the government to pave its path towards a better successful democratic country.