I (Abu Bakar Shad) admit that I am a confused person of a confused nation. I can not even understand that why university has burdened my nerves further by asking me to write down a marvelous essay on “National” Democracy”, a topic quite offending and irritating for the majority of 180 million people of Pakistan. I do not know what to do?

How to do? Or should I do?
I have the choice to do it in either of two ways;

1. Formal, conventional and sugar coated
2. Natural, real and straight forward.

My mind is constantly advocating a conventional way of writing, with high_fi English, conventional hyperbolic sentences and dry formal coverage of different essay themes but my emotional Pakistani heart is rebelling against it. If nature has provided me such a wonderful chance of pouring out my burdened heart to the prestigious Youth Parliament Forum, I must not let it go all wasted rather I must honesty sketch a real picture of my original feelings related to this word “NATIONAL DEMOCRACY” an apparently beautiful slogan but containing sufferings and horrors within.

What Democracy Actually is?

DEMOCRACY is universally defined as “Government of the people ____ for the people and by the people”. It is considered as an ideal form of Government because it is created by the “General Will” of the people. Democracy is a mechanism, in which people of the State are the ultimate power. The basis of democracy is Consent not Force, Persuasion not Dictation and Agreement not Coercion. Only people have the power of making and unmaking the governments. Ministers are answerable to legislative and are made to resign if appear discredited. The nation state exists for the welfare of people and well-organized, visionary political parties are the soul of democracy. Democracy stands for civil liberty which means freedom of speech, freedom of opinion, freedom of conscience, equality, law and order, justice and individual security. In short democracy in most parts f the world is recognized as the best form of government, stable and enduring, not liable to radical charges such as coup d’etat or putsch. But when we come to Pakistan, the universal definition of democracy under goes a drastic twist.

Compatibility of Democracy with Religions

When we talk about compatibility of democracy with religions, we must take into consideration that almost all the religions in the world show similarity in basic moral and humanitarian principles. Every religion of the world preaches to regard and respect humanity, universal peace, love for mankind and most importantly justice, equality and liberty. Brutal inhumane practices, use of force, violence and aggression, are equally nonpermissible in all religions of the world. So we can say that whether it is Christianity, Jewish, Buddhism, Hinduism or Islam, all are carved or designed to reflect basic principles of democracy and are representative of complete democratic laws. With its noble features and purely humane characteristics, democracy definitely comes in compatibility with all religions in the world and most likely with Islam. Continue Reading