Transforming Economy & Society

ISLAAH AGENDA

1- Much Needed Political Stability

2- Public Administration for the 21^st Century

3- Trade and Openness: Competing Globally

4- Social Infrastructure

5- Cities – Engines of Growth

6- Energizing the Future

7- Developing Markets

8- Fiscal Management

9- Changing the Population Paradigm

10- Building a Cohesive Community and Society

THEME 1: Much Needed Political Stability

• Everything – the Senate, the President, and all levels of government – is decided in a single general election.
• Extravagant political campaigns, fueled by substantial resources, exclude common citizens from the political arena.
• Lawmakers, instead of prioritizing legislative activities, often exhibit a disproportionate enthusiasm for development projects and securing executive positions
• Misuse of reserved seats for women and minorities

PIDE’s PROPOSED REFORM

Essence of Political Parties

• Increase the minimum support criterion to form a political party, say 50,000 registered members
• Regular intra-party elections, once every 3 years
• Ticket distribution mechanism – collective decision, gender, minority…

Democracy in Action: The Crucible of Electoral Dynamics

• Reduce constitutional term to 4 years!
• Every year should be an election year – national, provincial, & local
• Every seat in the Parliament should be contested!
• Consider NOTA, minimum voters’ turnout/vote, etc.
• Eliminate interim government practice
• Ensure independence of the Election Commission of Pakistan
• No contesting on multiple seats OR runner’s up wins!
• Reserved seats for overseas Pakistanis
• KPIs for Parliamentarians – attendance and participation in debates

Democratizing Election Campaigns

• Campaigns expenditure limits – Rationalize and enforce
• Public debate between candidates on issues and policy
• Electronic (EVM)/Online Voting mechanism

A More Democratic Legislative/Parliament

• Term and family limits for parliamentarians must be introduced
• Legislators must be legislators only!
• No development funds through a single member – Parliament decides
• Parliament must not be taken as a path to minister-ship
• Members of Parliament must attend all parliamentary meetings
• Governance through Ordinance should be stopped!

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