The ‘equal’ citizen

History has shown that the demokratia (the power of the people) has always been an ideal. No system, including ochlocracy (mobocracy), could ever diminish the power of the governing elites. Although the goal of democracy was to equalise citizens, the ‘equal citizen’, as enshrined in the golden words of our constitution, remains a myth.
The demokratia envisioned opportunities of political participation for larger proportions of the population and across-the-board accountability. Democracy in Pakistan has yet to reach these ideals. Our legislators should take steps to make our citizens more equal in important sectors such as education and healthcare.
Amjed Jaaved
Rawalpindi