CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

This final section is divided into brief summaries of the status of democratic development, justice and the rule of law and the human rights issues of life, liberty and the security of the person. Each summary is followed by a numbered list of specific recommendations which focus on steps to be taken to develop or salvage various essential elements of a democratic society.

Democratic development in Pakistan will require greater decentralization, a better enabling environment for the strengthening of civil society, and institutional practices of accountability towards citizens. Key recommendations include a change in the parliamentary conduct of political parties, elimination of arbitrary or legislated restrictions on constitutional rights and fundamental freedoms, extension of the effective franchise to groups presently excluded in practice, policies to counter intolerance, and inclusion of women as full-fledged citizens.

Crucial weaknesses are identified in the Rule of Law and the administration of justice: lack of independence of the Judiciary, systemic discrimination, and impunity. Recommendations focus on the role of the legislative bodies in ensuring that their actions conform to principles of democratic institutionality, the role of the Judiciary in eliminating exceptional, anti-democratic procedures and ensuring uniform application of the law consistent with its spirit.

Security rights are systematically violated, both by State agencies and by extremist non-State actors. The recommendations target the role of the police, the need to develop sound policies for reducing ethnic tension, conformity with international standards, and the elimination of discrimination, in particular that exercised against women.