By: Farhan Tariq
This year, in observance of the ‘International Day of Democracy,’ a region is being honored with the “World’s Best Democracy” award—a place where the ruling establishment’s “favored democracy” emerged in contrast to a traditional monarchy. This was not a genuine form of popular governance; rather, much like the colonial era in India, it was a version of democracy gifted to the Legharis and Mazaris in exchange for their loyalty. This so-called democracy was inaugurated through a bloodbath, with power handed over to those claiming to represent the Chaudhrys, Rajas, Jats, Mughals, and Abbasis.
It is a unique democratic structure, devised by a colonial-era divisional commissioner and brought to fruition through ‘Operation Gulmarg.’ At the behest of outsiders, the pawns placed on the chessboard played a bloody game against their own land and people—a horror whose traces remain visible to this day.
However, the unique general elections held in 2026 exposed the true nature of the region’s entire democratic system. International broadcasters labeled these polls “elections held at gunpoint,” while voter turnout was abysmally low. For the first time in the region’s history, the public completely boycotted the elections. Despite this, and in total disregard of constitutional and democratic norms, the electoral process—spanning three phases and seven constituencies—was forced through, installing a man in power whom the public had categorically rejected.
Then again, this is not the first such incident. In this “jihad” for power, many “mujahideen” have played negative roles in the past as well. Driven by the desire for profit, the lust for authority, and the aim to pass power on to future generations, the region’s political elite fostered an imperialist mindset—sanctioning the use of modern weaponry and novel experiments on human beings—to secure their own hold on power.
On December 31, 1600, Queen Elizabeth I of Britain granted a charter to a group of merchants, authorizing them to trade with Eastern nations. This group formed the East India Company, which ruled the subcontinent for centuries and ruthlessly plundered India.
A strikingly similar scenario unfolded in this region in 1947. While ostensibly championing a movement against autocratic rule and singing the praises of democracy, imperialist forces established a new “company” run by a select few, with its management entrusted to both local and non-local figures. For seven decades, cemented by the military, this company—along with its associates and their strongholds—has appeared formidable. Yet, within this ostensibly robust democratic structure, the Jamhoor (the common people) themselves are proving to be as fragile as a wall of sand. Although public referendums and protests have rejected the company’s “employees” on more than three occasions, certain quarters remain adamant that these figures are their “saviors” and that rejecting them amounts to treason.
Time has proven that whether amidst border conflicts, natural disasters in cities, or political instability, these self-styled “saviors” have never been seen standing alongside the people at the gallows; their ultimate destination has always been Islamabad. Perhaps inspired by this very “splendid” democratic structure of Pakistan-administered Kashmir, discussions are now being held in the parliaments of England, the United States, and the European Union—on the occasion of the International Day of Democracy—regarding the region’s parliamentary system, elections, powers, and the “immense capabilities” of its political leadership, with the world being urged to adopt this model!
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