Democratization
Lawyers Movement in Karachi, August 2008, Photo by Fareed Khan
INTRODUCTION
Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung perceives democracy as a socio-political process driven by citizens' active participation and democratic institutions. "It is apt to say that the term 'democratisation' epitomises the most universal socio-political imperative of our age" (Hennis 1970). Democratisation is therefore a chief tenet of green politics and a central issue in political education of our organization. Still it is often far from clear how to translate the general notion of democratisation into concrete projects, campaigns, or educational programmes. "Civil society" is one such concept which, while widely embraced, is very contentious when it comes to questions of implementation. Other such issues are the crisis of party democracy, the media and democracy, as well as numerous fundamental questions surrounding the relationship between politics and science. All of these are part of our worldwide activities and holds also true for Pakistan. For us political education means getting people involved, empowering people to participate in political processes, and advising political activists.

Our work in Pakistan aims to contribute towards democratisation by contesting fundamentalisms, and gender based discrimination, and by strengthening political participation and the rule of law. more

General Background

Celebrating 100 years of women’s achievements

March 7, 2011 - Each year around the world, International Women's Day (IWD) is celebrated on March 8 marking the economic, political and social achievements of women, but also reminding of inequities still to be redressed. On the occasion of 2011 being the Global Centenary Year of International Women’s Day, Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung Pakistan pays special tribute to the Pakistani Women’s Cricket Team. more»

Video

10 Years UN Resolution 1325

- December 28, 2010 - Ten years after the adoption of UN Resolution 1325 "Women, Peace and Security", the Gunda Werner Institute (GWI) of the Heinrich Böll Foundation in cooperation with the German Women's Security Council and Peace Women Across the Globe hosted an international conference. more»

Reviewing Beijing+15 process

 - In the beginning of March 2010, the Commission on the Status of Women of the UN was undertaking a fifteen-year review of the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (BPfA). Once a global vision of social justice, equality, development and peace, nowadays it seems that the key implementation strategy of gender mainstreaming has lost its critical perspective. Find here a joint statement by Women’s Organisations and other NGOs. more»

Interview

Pakistan: “The Gender Discourse Needs to Be Linked to Local Realities”

 - Recently, the power of the Taliban in connection with the attitude of the society was widely discussed, but once again gender and women issues were not highlighted. Durre Ahmed, chairperson and senior research fellow at the Centre for the Study of Gender and Culture in Lahore, about the current situation and development of the gender discourse in Pakistan. more»

Beyond Guantánamo - Restoring U.S. Credibility on Human Rights

 - The credibility of the USA has been severely damaged by practicing torture in Guantánamo and other prisons. Even though President Obama’s promise to close Guantánamo is recognized by the international community as a first step towards restoring U.S. credibility, several problems require comprehensive policy solutions which are laid out in this study. By Thomas C. Hilde for Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung more»

POSITION PAPER

Gender Policy makes a Difference

 - The aim of this position paper is to tackle the gender-political challenges of the future for our activities at home and abroad, and to outline our program focus more clearly, define our aims and tasks, and agree on the terminology and tools of gender-democratic policy. By Barbara Unmüßig, Member of the Executive Board more»

State and Society

The Renewal of Pakistan´s Constitution

Both houses of the Pakistan Parliament have passed the “18th amendment bill” which would change the current constitutional set-up drastically. There is some hope with it for a more well-balanced democratic powers between the Pakistan Federation, its provinces and the Legislative, Executive and Judiciary. The bill also renames the province NWFP as Khyber-Pakhtoonkhwa, provides for the reconstitution of the Council of Common Interests and changes the procedure for the appointment of judges. Please read below comments by two renowned lawyers from a Civil Society and Human Rights point of view. more»

DOCUMENTARY

Pakistan’s Islamic School – A State within the State

 - “Pakistan’s Islamic School – A State within the State” provides an inside story of the Madaris in Pakistan and touches on the topics such as the genesis, growth over the years, students strength, sources of funding, role in afghan war against Soviet Union, role in sectarian warfare in Pakistan, curriculum and what is taught beyond that, attempts to reform and the way forward. more»

DOCUMENTARY

Struggle for the Rule of Law and Constitutional Amendment

 - The 18th amendment which has been passed by the Pakistan Parliament will drastically change the constitutional set-up in Pakistan between Executive, Legislative and Judiciary. Therefore, three years after the Lawyers' Movement started to struggle for an Independent Judiciary and for well-balanced powers within a constitutional framework it is time to review the Lawyers' Movement by this documentary. more»

A Ray of Hope:The Case of Lawyers’ Movement in Pakistan

 - This piece is an excerpt out of the forthcoming book of Heinrich-Boll-Stiftung (Nov 09) in the publication series on promoting Democracy under Conditions of State Fragility. Pakistan: Reality, Denial and the Complexity of its state. By Azmat Abbas and Saima Jasam more»

Pakistan State – Society Analysis

 - The state of affairs in Pakistan, characterized by a situation of extreme fragility needs to be understood in light of the complex interaction throughout history. This report aims at providing the relevant kind of context analysis for international actors to engage with Pakistan on a constructive, long-term basis, and with a view on the need to achieve genuine democratization. By Marco Mezzera, Safiya Aftab more»

Resolving our Crises

 - Decades of military rule, lack of democratic culture within political parties, feudal and tribal character of the society, weak institutions and a highly disturbed neighbourhood has created a serious leadership deficit in Pakistan at a time when the country faces massive challenges. By Talat Masood more»

Violence Against Women

SHIRKAT GAH

Karo Kari, Tor Tora, Siyahkari, Kala Kali - There is no 'honour' in killing

In Pakistan certain social precedents, call them customs or traditions justify acts of torture, violence and murder infused with a sense of righteous pride. The worst of such customs is that of so-called ‘honour’ killings. The conference report sheds some more light on what this issue entails and why it continues to persist. more»

Political Participation and Rule of Law

launching of the Research Report

“Gender, Religion, and the Quest for Justice in Pakistan”

April 27, 2010, Heinrich Boll Stiftung, Pakistan launched a research report on “Gender, Religion, and the Quest for Justice in Pakistan” by Farida Shaheed at Marriott Hotel. The study was carried out in collaboration with United Nations Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD). more»

Two years after Prime Minister’s announcement to revive Student Unions

 - BARGAD, a youth organization, has announced to celebrate YOUTH WEEK. This was done during a seminar held at Lahore College for Women University (LCWU), Lahore on March 24, 2010 in collaboration with Department of Psychology. Students, faculty and experts participated in the seminar on Psychological Impact of Extremism and the State of Democracy in Pakistan. more»

Dangerous game of power

 - Pakistan’s domestic politics is facing further political uncertainty after the Supreme Court blocked an attempt by the president to appoint two new judges. This latest confrontation is essentially a political battle between Pakistan’s president, Asif Ali Zardari and its Chief Justice, Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry and very critically adds to the current tension and sense of instability. more»

PUBLICATION

REVISITING STUDENT POLITICS IN PAKISTAN

 - This study supported by Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung Lahore is not only a comprehensive historical and analytical account of students politics, but it is also an original work to link campus politics with academic environment and good governance of higher education. The study offers meeting space for contesting stakeholders to resolve tension of the past and contribute positively to the emerging boom in higher education sector in Pakistan. more»

Book Review: Will the state survive as an idea?

 - Shafiqur Rehman has competently rendered into Urdu Stephen Cohen’s 2004 book The Idea of Pakistan. This will the first book of its kind in Urdu because of Cohen’s well known habit of looking at his subjects from new angles of inquiry. By Khaled Ahmed more»

Democracy within parties

 - Hybridism is an important feature of Pakistani politics, and largely explains the ability of military and civilian rulers to stay in power and justify their rule. They combine elements of democracy and authoritarianism, and present that hybrid as ‘genuine’ democracy. By Rasul Bakhsh Rais more»

How Greed Ruins Academia

 - Pakistan's university system is breaking down, perhaps irreparably so. Naked greed is destroying the moral fibre of academia. Professors across the country are clamoring to lift even minimal requirements that could assure quality education. By Pervez Hoodbhoy more»

The Year 1979 and its Impact

 - The current situation is rooted in the events of 1979 but the remedy will have to come from within. In fact, much of the recent and current turmoil in Pakistan has its roots in the seismic events of 1979 and the policies taken in response to them. By Imtiaz Gul more»

What Breeds Extremism?

 - Religion is not at risk, and does not need to be rescued through the agency of the state; it is the liberties of the citizens and the idea of a free society that are at risk if the hegemonic view of religion replaces pluralism of faith. By Rasul Bakhsh Rais more»

Lawyers Movement

Pakistan's Justice Revolution

March 16 dawned on Pakistan as the beginning of a new era; when Prime Minister Yusuf Reza Gilani announced the restoration of Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry as the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Pakistan. By Centre for Research and Security Studies more»

Pakistan's Political War with Itself

 - This report elaborates on the political tumult following the February 25 disqualification of the Sharif brothers and the imposition of Governor’s rule in the country’s politically most influential Punjab province. By Centre for Research and Security Studies more»