Bridging the Gaps of Democracy through Civil Societies in Pakistan

 

The fundamental responsibility of civil society is to make boundaries and control the power of state because democracy based on commanding and well-functioning state. Main function of civil society is to observe the working of state officials such as how they use their supremacy; raise public concerns without having any violence and access to all information which is directly related with freedom of information laws as well as rules and regulation about corruption. Secondly, for the best governance reformation, it is required to make a code of conduct that strives to reduce the corruption and improves responsibility among public officials. Devoid of these codes of conducts, it is not possible to implement these anti-corruption laws. Thirdly, civil society is to play a significant role in supporting the political contribution. In this regard, NGOs can achieve this by educating people about their rights and duties including independent citizens and taking part in election campaigns and votes. Moreover, NGOs can develop citizen’s skills to resolve the community issues as well as can develop values of democratic life such as tolerance, restraint, cooperation, and respect for conflicting points of view. These values are possible only through practice. NGOs especially women’s groups have refined these values in young community and adults through diverse programs that practice, participation and deliberation. Subsequent to dictatorship, comprehensive modification is required to educate the young people about the principles of democracy and past crimes. Civil society works as a constructive partner because it is an arena for the expression of miscellaneous benefits such as fulfills the requirement and concerns of their associates including women, students, farmers, environmentalists, trade unionists, lawyers, doctors etc. NGOs can present their views to parliament by contacting individual members. Civil society can build up democracy by providing new forms of awareness and unity that incise the old concepts of ethnic, linguistic, religious, and other identity ties.  Democracy can be stable on the basis of this awareness and as a result of this civil life becomes comfortable, complex, and more tolerant. NGOs can also provide a platform for futuristic political leaders to recruit and train them. NGOs can play a significant role in mediating and serving to resolve clashes.  In other countries, NGOs have developed formal and training programs to mitigate political and tribal conflicts. Lastly, civil society is independent state and must be responsible, receptive, comprehensive, effective and legitimate at all levels with the respect and support of its citizens. 

Civil society can act as motor force for mediating the state-society dynamics, this commitment is influenced by the growth of communication technologies that results resourceful information transferring, movement of capital and human resources between organization and defensive boundaries.

Being the part of an NGO/Think tank I observed that civil society individuals enhance their capability to safeguard state hindrance into social and individual life. As mediators, they contribute in decision-making processes and directly interact with the government. They act as facilitator of both democracy and promote economy and also the key to a successful democratization.

Along with it Civil Society organizations lack clear and enforceable rules and extremely dependent on international donors whose priorities can overlook the requirements of anticipated beneficiaries. They require a set of practices and institutional frameworks that associated with voluntary actions and to perform duties that each and every one can help with it and tied in government spaces for participation.