Assignment Number 4

ASSIGNMENT NUMBER
NAME: Muhammad Ahmed Naeem

ROLL NUMBER: FA23-BAF-113
CLASS: BAF 2B
DATE OF SUBMISSION: 21st May 2024.
QUESTION: Analyze the role and challenges faced by political parties
in Pakistan's democratic landscape. Discuss the diversity among
mainstream and fringe parties, their influence on public policy, and the
historical factors contributing to the weakness of political parties in the
country.
ANSWER: Pakistan's political parties are essential to the development
of democracy in the nation, but they also have several challenges that
limit their efficiency. Numerous causes, such as historical legacies,
socioeconomic inequality, institutional inadequacies, and outside
pressures, are the source of these issues.
1. Role and Challenges Faced by Political Parties:
 Representation: In Pakistan, political parties are responsible
for articulating various viewpoints and interests in a
multifaceted socio-political environment. However, they
frequently fail to fairly represent underrepresented groups,
which raises concerns about inclusivity and equal
representation.
 Institutional Weaknesses: Many political parties in Pakistan
have deficient internal democracies, resulting in centralized
and opaque decision-making procedures. Factionalism,
internal strife, and the concentration of power among a small
number of party leaders are frequently caused by this absence
of intra-party democracy.
 Constituent Difficulties: Political parties face significant
obstacles during election processes, including discretionary
extortion, citizen terrorizing, and absence of responsibility in
crusade support. These difficulties subvert the credibility and
legitimacy of election results.
 Security Concerns: Political parties operating in Pakistan
face security dangers from militant groups and extremist
elements. This puts party leaders' and activists' lives at risk
and inhibits their freedom to campaign, especially in areas
where violence is a common occurrence.
2. Diversity among Mainstream and Fringe Parties:

 Mainstream Parties: Pakistan's political landscape is
dominated by mainstream parties like Pakistan Tehreek-e-
Insaf (PTI), Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), and Pakistan
Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). These parties usually have
substantial electoral infrastructure and widespread support.
 Fringe Parties: Due to their smaller support bases and lack
of resources, fringe parties—including regional and issue-
based parties—often find it difficult to compete with
mainstream parties. They still have the power to shape public
opinion and policy agendas, nevertheless, especially when it
comes to particular local or ideological problems.
3. Influence on Public Policy:

 Since mainstream parties have representation in legislative
and executive branches, they have a significant impact on
public policy. They create legislation, set policy agendas, and
carry out government initiatives.
 Although fringe parties do not have the same electoral power
as their mainstream counterparts, they may still have an
impact on public policy by forming alliances, organizing
advocacy efforts, and using their specialized knowledge of
particular issue areas.
4. Historical Factors Contributing to the Weakness of Political
Parties:
 Tradition of Dictatorship: Multiple military takeovers and
long military rule took place in Pakistan, preventing the
growth of robust, democratic institutions. Military
governments have frequently co-opted political parties,
impeding their organizational development and the
consolidation of democracy.
 Ethnic and Territorial Fragmentation: Numerous regional
and ethnic-nationalist parties have emerged as a result of
identity-based politics, which have been made possible by
Pakistan's diverse ethnic and geographical environment. The
party system's coherence is weakened by this fragmentation,
which also makes it more difficult to reach an agreement on
important national problems.
 Clientelism and Support: Political parties in Pakistan often
depend on patronage organizations and clientelist practices to
mobilize electoral support and maintain power. This
propagates a culture of corruption and subverts merit-based
governance, weakening public trust in political institutions.
In conclusion, a variety of obstacles prevent Pakistani political parties
from successfully carrying out their democratic duties. Comprehensive
reforms that support inclusivity, develop internal democracy, improve
electoral integrity, and advance transparent and accountable governance
are necessary to overcome these obstacles. Political parties in Pakistan
cannot make a significant impact on the country's democratic growth
and governance processes unless these reforms are implemented.

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ASSIGNMENT NUMBER

NAME: Muhammad Ahmed Naeem

2. Diversity among Mainstream and Fringe Parties:

3. Influence on Public Policy:

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