Dialogue Group on Civil-Military Relations meets in Islamabad

Islamabad; May 15, The Dialogue Group on Civil-Military Relations convened by PILDAT met here today. The Group held comprehensive and candid discussion, among other issues, on Supreme Court Judgment convicting the Prime Minister and the resultant political scenario. The Group also discussed the address by the Chief of Army Staff at the Martyrs Day Ceremony................>> Details

Developments impacting the Quality of Democracy

January-April 2012

On March 17, 2012, while addressing the joint sitting of Parliament at the beginning of the 5th and final year of the term of the 13th National Assembly, President Asif Ali Zardari congratulated the Parliament for completing four constitutional terms. While this can be gauged as a movement forward for the system of parliamentary democracy in Pakistan, the performance of state institutions remains somewhat mixed. The passage of legislation providing for the appointment of caretaker governments during Election through a bipartisan process, timely conduct of the Senate election, and greater parliamentary oversight of the national security are positive developments for the strengthening of parliamentary democracy. ................>> Details

Concerns expressed about quality of Electoral Rolls and slow pace of electoral reforms

Islamabad, May 03: In a Public Forum organized by PILDAT on the state of Electoral Reforms in Pakistan, representatives of major political parties including PPPP, PML-N, PML, MQM and PTI urged the Government and Election Commission of Pakistan to speed up the process of electoral reforms in Pakistan well before the upcoming elections.................>> Details

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Citizens Group calls for Urgent Actions to Prepare for Fair Elections

April 25; The Citizens Group on Electoral Process (CGEP), convened by PILDAT, has expressed concern at the delay in appointing a permanent full time Chief Election Commissioner. Instead of initiating the consultative process for appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner before the expiry of the term of the CEC on March 23, 2012, even after the lapse of over a month afterwards, it is not known whether the Prime Minister has formally sent three names to the Parliamentary Committee in consultation of the Leader of the Opposition. Even though an acting Chief Election Commissioner is in office, it is inexplicable as to why both the Government and the Opposition are delaying on developing a consensus on the crucial appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner of Pakistani................>> Details