2024

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Browsing 2024 by Author "Amna Mushtaq"

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    Examine the Role of Freedom of Expression, Access to Information, and Political Participation on Viable Democracy
    (UMT, Lahore, 2024) Amna Mushtaq
    This thesis analyzes the role that freedom of expression, access to information, and political participation play in sustaining democracy in Pakistan with a particular focus on Lahore. While Pakistan has constitutional guarantees for free speech and political rights, its democratic framework is beset by media censorship, restricted access to government information and impediments to political engagement. This research analyzes the perceived impact of these democratic elements on the democratic viability of Pakistan through a quantitative cross-sectional survey of 374 Lahore residents. It finds that democratic stability is promoted most by freedom of expression, and that it is important for accountability and transparency. But respondents said there was little freedom to speak out on political issues without paying a price, an indication of lingering problems with media freedom and government censorship. While access to information is important, bureaucratic barriers and incomplete enforcement of Right to Information (RTI) laws weaken citizens’ access to information, and hinder their ability to make informed political choices. It was found that political participation, especially voting, was important in promoting trust in democratic processes, but voter intimidation and exclusion of political, ethnical and social minorities remains an issue. And the study’s findings confirm that public speech should be protected, information should be made more accessible and political participation should be encouraged in order for a democratic system to be sustainable. Specifically, recommendations include improving compliance with RTI, media protection and electoral reforms and civic awareness campaigns. In order to strengthen democratic governance in Pakistan, it is imperative to address these factors together. This work advances democratic theory through recognition of the interdependence of these factors in transitional democracies, and in favor of policies fostering freedom of speech, transparency, and active citizenship. Further research should include longitudinal and nationwide studies to better understand these democratic dimensions across Pakistan’s many regions