been attained by any people overnight. The British who are considered the pioneers in the creation of durable democratic institutions required almost 700 years from the first point in time when the nobles of England made the monarch commit himself to certain checks on royal power by the Magna Carta in 1215. Until 1928 when woman above the age of 21 for the first time were given the right of vote. Relatively slow processes of political, social and economic evolution and growth led ultimately to the creation of democracy in Britain.
But very often in disregard of this lesson of history, there is a temptation to adopt practices which have succeeded elsewhere but which may not necessarily suit other social environments, or meet the political needs of other climes. Under such an imposition, the borrowed political institutions give way under the strain of inept handling and lead to a situation of instability, political self-secking and corruption which militates against the larger national interest. In such a situation, unless a strong leadership emerges to stabilize the situation there is inevitably a prolonged period of chaos. But in a relatively politically conscious community it is also necessary that as soon as the position has been stabilized by the new leadership, effective and suitable political institutions must be created without unnecessary loss of time. It was in recognition of this fact that in his very first broadcast to the nation, the President said quite clearly that his intention was to restore Constitutional Government as soon as possible.
The manner in which Martial Law has operated during the last 3 years is an index of this aim. So much so that it has often been remarked by foreign observers that Pakistan is much nearer real democracy under Martial Law than many countries who ostensibly claim to have democratic forms of government. The reasons for this are not far to scck. It would, far instance, have been expected that the press would be completely gagged, and all expression of opinion forbidden. But few, if any, checks have been put upon the press and expression of opinion have been relatively free and subject to only minimal and, under the circumstances, unavoidable restraints. Arbitrary exercise of authority has been conspicuously missing from the action of the Government and judicial processes have continued to operate in the normal manner. The administration has been conducted by the civil machinery and the Army has not intruded into public affairs beyond an unavoidable minimum.
Nor are the actions of the past 3 years rooted in any mere superficial concern for democracy. For, in Pakistan, there has existed, since the Government of Great Britain look over from the East India Company, an unbroken regard for the rule of law. People have also had experience with working democratic institutions at the local and also the national level. We have a relatively developed professional and middle class which is daily expanding. Reinforcing the egalitarianism inherent in Islam is the liberal humanism imbibed from the West by the thinking sections of the people, and which can find political expression only through democratic institutions, civil and military administration has been kept entirely separate and one institution for which the people have had and continue to have great respect is the judiciary. This complex of enlightened opinion, respect for the rule of law and a clear cut division between civil and military responsibilities makes ours a society essentially oriented towards a democratic form of
