Enlisting three vital steps to reclaim civic society in Pakistan, renowned political scientist, Dr. Rasul Buksh Rais stressed to redefine civil-military relationship, reconsider relationship of religion with the state and evolve democratic mechanism to deal with ethnic and religious minorities. 

Addressing at a panel discussion on “Public Sphere for Civic Action? Squeezing, Expanding or Changing?,” on the second day of the National Conference on Active Citizenship by the Center for Civic Education Pakistan, Dr Rais said, “dilemma of Pakistani politics is elite settlement that excludes citizens.” He asked for democratic rules of game. “Religious forces are out to dictate their own terms that won’t auger well for the future of democracy,” he added. 

President Pakistan Foundation for Democracy and TV anchor, Ayesha Tammy Haq, explored the historical growth of public sphere in terms of a space for frank political debate and discussion. She highlighted the emerging role of the independent media as an important mediator, instigator and platform for civic action in Pakistan. However she also pin-pointed the potential influence of the corporate policies to define the media contents.   

Dr. Sabiha Syed, member National Public Safety Commission said vibrant political action can happen only in an environment of safety and security. Later a Virtual Political Resource Center (www.pakistanpolitics.org) was also launched. During questions and answers session, Dr. Rasul Bukhsh Rais, who teaches at Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) said, in Pakistan a new middle class is emerging and this factor will impact political culture in the country. He acknowledged the impact of globalization in defining new realities. He said traditional elite and the state were on retreat and today the citizens had much more effective voice.  

Zafarullah Khan said, in normal public sphere citizens ability to effectively participate could be limited by imposing section 144 but new realities like cyber activism and sms via cell phones are offering new venues of participation. He also explained the various segments of the website that will be a source of political information for Pakistani citizens as the general elections approach.  

The conference participants also articulated a Citizen’s Agenda for Democratic Reforms in the second half of the Conference. The agenda includes expectations from the state, political parties and the citizens to make Pakistan’s democratic experience vibrant and meaningful.