Democracy is not just about elections. It is about people being truly able to take part in decisions that affect their lives. Yet, in Pakistan, despite constitutional guarantees, citizens often find themselves neglected. Laws like the Right to Information (RTI) exist, but implementation is weak, particularly in Balochistan and Punjab. Misinformation and disinformation further distort public discourse, while controversial laws like Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) are enacted without meaningful public consultation.

Recently, I attended a global webinar titled “Renewing Democracy Globally: Mainstreaming Participation,” organized by People Powered and partners like the Open Government Partnership (OGP). Experts from Bosnia, Colombia, Senegal, and Indonesia shared how they have ensured public participation in governance, offering lessons for Pakistan’s struggling democracy. This blog is my attempt at bridging those global lessons with our local realities.

When Participation is not a Priority

One of the central themes from the webinar was that democracy does not strengthen through one-time elections. It requires mainstreamed participation. In Bogotá, Colombia, an itinerant Citizens’ Assembly directly involve communities in long-term urban planning. In Senegal, participatory budgeting has spread across over 100 municipalities, driven by political will and civil society partnerships. And Indonesia has managed to institutionalize culturally-rooted forums that build trust with the most marginalized.

In the case of Pakistan, for years we have ignored local governance and have been reluctant to shift powers to the local level.

• Punjab, the country’s largest province, has not conducted local elections since 2019.
• At the federal level, the local government’s tenure ended in 2019. As of May 15, 2025, there have been no elections scheduled.
• Sindh and KP, though least held elections in 2021–22 and local government are currently functioning, but their operational capacity remains limited.
• Local governments in Balochistan are somewhat functional after its 2023 elections, though Quetta—the provincial capital—is still without an elected local body.

Overall, Provincial governments have not shown the required commitment to empowering and strengthening the local governments. Without functioning local governments, how can we claim to be strengthening democracy?

The Right to Information: A Broken Promise

The webinar also highlighted the importance of institutionalizing rights-based approaches. In Pakistan, Article 19-A of the Constitution guarantees every citizen the right of access to information held by public bodies. Despite this guarantee and enacted laws, most people still struggle to access public information.

Pakistan has five Right to Information (RTI) laws. One at the federal and four at the provincial level. But their implementation is patchy, sluggish, and often ignored.

• The Balochistan Information Commission was established after more than 2 years’ delay, and after notification, it still looks dormant. Citizens’ RTI requests are unanswered. The culture of secrecy is so embedded that departments don’t even acknowledge receipt of applications.
• In case of the Punjab Information Commission, it doesn’t keep the complainant in the loop. And it lacks in proactive disclosure of information.
• At the federal level, appeals are often closed without the provision of the requested information.

This institutional apathy weakens democracy. When governments fear questions, it’s because they have forgotten that they serve the people.

Freedom of Expression in Chains and Shrinking Civic Spaces

Another major lesson from the webinar was the need to protect freedom of expression (FoE) as a cornerstone of participatory democracy. While constitutions worldwide, including Pakistan’s, guarantee freedom of expression through Article 19, but the lack of practice tells a different story. On May 7, 2025, Pakistan restored access to X (formerly Twitter) after nearly two years of a complete shutdown. Two years of silencing dissent, activism, and open dialogue, wrapped in the pretext of “national security,” “countering misinformation” or “public interest.”

And if that wasn’t enough, the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) has turned into a tool of suppression. A recent amendment in PECA allows the government to label any critical reporting as “fake news”. Journalists, bloggers, or even concerned citizens can be jailed for three years if their content is considered “misleading.” This is not about countering misinformation. It’s about controlling the narrative.

Misinformation: The New Threat to Democracy

During the webinar, one speaker described how democratic spaces are eroded by disinformation, and Pakistanis no exception. Whether it’s conspiracy theories around polio vaccines or election-day rumors that fuel unrest, misinformation has deadly consequences. Unfortunately, instead of improving digital literacy or holding platforms accountable, we have opted for censorship. Algorithms go unregulated, but genuine voices of concern are policed.

Corruption and the Crisis of a Lack of Accountability

One of the more important reflections from the webinar came not from the presenters, but from what was missing: a discussion on corruption and lack of accountability.

In Pakistan, Transparency International’s 2024 Corruption Perception Index showed a decline in our global ranking. Citizens routinely report bribery, misuse of funds, and political interference in public tenders. Why does this persist? Because no one is held accountable.

RTI laws, if implemented properly, could serve as a tool for citizen oversight, and it is pertinent to mention here that RTI laws are considered one of the best tools to counter corruption. This crisis of accountability is not just a failure of institutions; it is creating a trust deficit between the public and institutions.

Lessons from Abroad: What Can We Learn?

Let’s pause for a moment and compare.

• Bogotá, a city plagued by inequality and conflict, has embraced citizens’ assemblies to co-design urban planning. Participants propose solutions, and 15–30% continue into the next cycle to ensure continuity.
• In Mostar, Bosnia, where ethnic divisions run deep, local civil society helped build trust through participatory democracy, even when elections were delayed for 12 years.
• Senegal’s success with participatory budgeting didn’t happen overnight. It started with pilot efforts and scaled only after local ownership and political commitment were ensured.
• Indonesia’s Yasinan Forum built on cultural traditions to create inclusive public forums in villages, turning community complaints into actionable governance.

None of these countries is perfect. But they show that reforms are possible when governments trust people enough to share power.

Pakistan doesn’t need to replicate these models without contextual nuances, but we do need to recognize their underlying values: transparency, trust, and participation.

A Way Forward: Participation as a Practice, Not just a Promise

The People Powered webinar left me both inspired and reflective. It reminded me that participation isn’t merely a checkbox exercise, it’s a continuous process of involving people in decisions that affect their lives. If Pakistan is to strengthen its democracy, here’s what we must do:

1. Hold local government elections immediately in Punjab and the federal capital. Functional LGs are essential for meaningful democracy.
2. Revamp RTI implementation—starting with digital access, regular follow-up mechanisms, and independent oversight.
3. Repeal PECA’s draconian amendments and replace them with policies that promote digital literacy and platform accountability.
4. Institutionalize participatory mechanisms, from citizens’ forums to public budget consultations, especially in underrepresented regions.
5. Invest in transparency, education, and media reform, not surveillance and censorship.

Conclusion: There’s no Democracy without true participation and inclusion

Pakistan’s democratic challenges are real, but so are the possibilities for a truly participatory, representative, and effective governance system. As global examples show, transformation begins when participation moves from paper to practice. It is when laws protect voices, and not suppress them, when governance is open and information is a right, not a privilege. If Pakistan is serious about its future, it must start by trusting its people.

I still remember, back in 2014, when I received my very first response to an RTI request. It was just a letter, but to me, it felt like a moment of recognition. I felt empowered, heard, and, for the first time, truly included in the governance process.

As they say, democracies don’t die in a day, but they fade with every broken promise. And truly encouraged participation and inclusion can keep their spirits alive.

About the Author:

Syed Raza Ali Shah is the Program Manager at the Accountability Lab Pakistan, and can be reached at raza@accountabilitylab.org