Democracy thrives on active political participation, ensuring that every citizen has a voice in shaping the country’s future. However, in Pakistan, a significant portion of the non-elite educated class remains politically disengaged. This lack of involvement not only weakens democratic institutions but also limits representation and hinders national progress. Several factors contribute to this apathy, including widespread disillusionment with the political system, economic hardships, deficiencies in the education system, and a lack of platforms for civic engagement. Addressing these challenges is crucial to fostering a more inclusive and participatory democracy in Pakistan.

Right To Political Participation:

Engaging in political and public life is recognized as a fundamental human right and plays a crucial role in the realization of other rights. This includes not only the right to vote and run for office, but also broader involvement in shaping laws, policies, and participating in development and humanitarian initiatives. The right to participate politically is grounded in two key international documents: the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (1976). While the Declaration outlines broad human rights principles and is not legally binding, it has had significant legal and political influence. It served as a foundation for future binding treaties and has inspired many national legal systems. Meaningful democratic governance and long-term development depend on the active involvement of informed and engaged citizens.

Apathy:

Apathy is increasingly recognized in both medical and social science fields as a modern concept. It is characterized by a decline in goal-oriented actions, resulting in diminished interest and motivation, often rooted in biological factors. Scholars have identified apathy as a motivational disorder that encompasses emotional, behavioral, and social dimensions. While it may not significantly trouble the individual experiencing it, apathy often has a detrimental impact on their social interactions. Among adolescents, in particular, apathy represents a significant societal concern, as it can lead to disengagement from civic and political responsibilities.

Political apathy refers to the absence of devotion, love, or interest in the sociopolitical affairs of the state. A citizen who becomes the victim of political apathy loses interest in participating in the elections, civic responsibilities, and public opinion. Political apathy shows indifference toward politics. In prior research, political apathy is repeatedly viewed as a social problem because it destabilizes the democratic system of any country. It is an unseen threat that plagues countries worldwide. An increase in political apathy causes social problems, including a lack of transparent elections, politicians’ false hopes, voters’ lack of commitment to campaigning, and violence during elections. Similarly, Prior found that the primary causes of political apathy among young people were boredom, irrelevance, and a focus on other personal matters. Political apathy is a severe global problem, conceptualized as low voter turnout. It exists in Europe, Britain, the United States of America, India, and Nigeria. In Pakistan, the data regarding the General Election held in 2018 revealed that overall voter turnout nationwide was 51.5%. A drop was seen from 2013 when turnout was historically highest at 55%. Youth is the largest chunk of Pakistan’s population, and registered voters in the age range of 18 to 35 are the largest of all age cohorts (44%). Still, unfortunately, their voting turnout remains considerably low. In the last two general elections (2013 and 2018), youth turnout was considerably lower than women’s, which was estimated at just 31.5%, compared to women’s turnout of 40% and the average national turnout of 53% .  According to a survey by Gallup, about 45% of people in Pakistan suffer from political apathy, whereas 44% are from educational institutions where they experienced anti-politics orientations^[1].

Why Is Political Participation Low?

Several factors lead to low political participation in a democratic structure. We discuss the reasons that cause apathy in the educated class-more the half of the country’s population.

Disillusionment and Distrust

One of the primary reasons for low political engagement is the general disillusionment with Pakistan’s political landscape. Many individuals believe that their votes and voices do not make a difference, as politics is dominated by elite families and powerful dynasties.

Political cynicism refers to a lack of confidence and trust in the political system. The term has evolved into different meanings, such as the disconnect of politics, distrust among politicians over biased political information, and lack of confidence in the government. While contextualizing the apathy in Pakistan, such as political crises, the role of the establishment in the political engineering, instability in governance, frequent political changes, and political discontent foster cases among youth. The high political cynicism in society is often considered a severe threat to democracy, political cynicism to hostile political campaigns, and a lack of political participation. In Pakistan, political cynicism prevails because ordinary people distrust politicians who pledge to improve the quality of governance, education, economy, and roads, but forget all these promises once elected.

Civic engagement is a process in which individuals work collectively to address the problems of public concern. It is correlated with political participation and the market economy. The literature suggests civic engagement fosters young people to participate in or avoid political affairs. According to the United Nations reports (2021), “Pakistan has a low youth civic engagement rate.” The country ranks 92nd out of 102 nations on the youth development index. However, just 26% of those aged 18 to 25 vote, and no official mechanism exists for including young people in policymaking. Youth is a productive segment of Pakistani society, based on which any political party can win or lose the elections. The lack of youth participation in the voting process means the democratic process is destabilized. However, the party leaders in Pakistan understand the youth’s role in political success, and they have started concentrating on the youth, motivating them for civic engagement to get their political benefits

Corruption further deepens this mistrust:

 According to Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index, Pakistan ranked 120th out of 180 countries in 2019, highlighting the extent of governance issues. When people see corruption going unchecked and political leaders prioritizing personal gains over public welfare, they lose faith in the system and disengage from political activities. Many expressed the desire to do something for their country and address issues like inflation and load shedding, but felt an inability to be politically active:

‘I want to see my country as a prosperous nation.’ But when asked Are you politically active? ‘No, because, unfortunately, there is no organization in our country that can stimulate the youth to work for the betterment of the country, and people are fed up with the inflation in the country, everybody thinks to become rich overnight, and nobody cares to upgrade their nation.’

Imposition of a ban on student unions:

The ban on student unions, their co-optation by national-level party politics, and the overall violent nature of campus politics have meant that colleges and universities are no longer places that see the production of future activists and leaders, nor do they directly affect the direction of national politics

Economic Hardships and Survival Priorities:   

Economic struggles are another major barrier to political participation. With nearly 24.3% of Pakistan’s population living below the poverty line, as reported by the World Bank, many people are more focused on securing necessities than on political engagement. For the non-elite educated class, those who have acquired some level of education but lack the financial stability of the upper class, political participation often feels like a luxury rather than a necessity. Additionally, political activism sometimes comes with risks, including job insecurity and social repercussions. For individuals struggling to make ends meet, taking time off work to attend political rallies or engage in civic discourse may not be feasible.

Education System and Lack of Civic Awareness

Illiteracy undermines the very foundations of our democracy. Illiterate citizens inevitably lack awareness and reasoning skills. How can we expect a voter to make an informed decision when he/she is unable to even read a newspaper? Illiterate voters are easy to mislead. Small wonder so many Pakistanis either abstain or take the wrong side in politically defining moments. The root cause for frequent intervals of dictatorship and political instability in the country is the illiteracy of 70% of voters living in rural areas, who cannot read newspapers and hence can easily be exploited or misguided. These illiterate masses remain indifferent to what is happening at the national or provincial level. They are unable to know how their elected representatives are performing in the parliament, or how they are switching over their loyalties for narrow or personal gains, ignoring the larger developmental interests of the nation. Pakistan’s education system also plays a role in discouraging political engagement. The curriculum largely emphasizes rote learning and exam-based assessments, leaving little room for developing critical thinking, civic awareness, or political consciousness. As a result, many educated individuals graduate without a clear understanding of their democratic rights and responsibilities.

Consequences of Political Apathy

When the non-elite educated class remains politically disengaged, the consequences are far-reaching. Firstly, it leads to inadequate representation in decision-making processes, as policies are often shaped by the elite, catering to their interests rather than addressing the needs of the broader population. This further entrenches social and economic inequalities. Moreover, democracy relies on diverse participation to function effectively. When a significant portion of the educated population remains indifferent, the democratic process becomes skewed, with power concentrated in the hands of a few. This weakens democratic institutions and hampers national development.

Solutions to Encourage Political Participation

1. Strengthening Civic Education

One of the major challenges faced by Pakistani youth is the lack of quality education. This issue stems from an underdeveloped educational system. The curriculum taught in schools and colleges often lacks content related to politics and law, leaving students without a proper understanding of how political systems function and how they can influence them. As a result, many people remain unaware of how their taxes are being used or how to engage in political discourse. Due to this educational gap, citizens often lack knowledge about the electoral process, tax responsibilities, legal rights, and participation in policymaking. This disconnect prevents them from fully understanding their governance and who holds power over them^[2]. Encouraging critical thinking and debate can also empower young individuals to question and engage with political processes.

2. Promoting Transparency and Accountability

Rebuilding public trust in the political system is essential. Stronger measures to combat corruption, enforce accountability, and ensure fair governance can help restore confidence. Political leaders must be held responsible for their actions, and citizens must see tangible efforts toward reducing corruption and improving governance.

3. Creating Accessible Platforms for Engagement

Political engagement should not be limited to elections. Community forums, town hall meetings, and social media campaigns can provide spaces for citizens to discuss issues, voice concerns, and participate in decision-making processes. Making political discussions more accessible and inclusive can encourage broader participation.

4. Addressing Economic Barriers

Providing financial incentives for civic engagement, such as stipends for community volunteers or paid leave for voting, could encourage more participation. Additionally, strengthening economic opportunities through job creation and fair wages can give people the stability they need to focus on civic responsibilities.

5. Student Union:

Student politics in Pakistan have had a long, significant, and at times, turbulent history. In the early years following Pakistan’s independence, student groups played a crucial role in shaping key moments in the nation’s political landscape. However, in 1984, General Zia-ul-Haq imposed a ban on student unions. This ban, however, was not applied equally, as Jamaat-e-Islami’s student wing, Islami Jamiat-e-Talaba, was largely exempted. As a result, the university environment, which had once been a natural breeding ground for political awareness and activism, was no longer accessible to newer generations. Although the ban on student groups has since been lifted, nepotism and political patronage persist and are often viewed as essential components of the political process^[3].

Conclusion

The lack of political participation among Pakistan’s non-elite educated class is a significant challenge to the country’s democratic progress. Factors such as political disillusionment, economic struggles, an ineffective education system, and limited avenues for engagement contribute to this apathy. However, with targeted reforms, such as integrating civic education, increasing transparency, fostering accessible political platforms, and addressing economic concerns, Pakistan can cultivate a more engaged and active citizenry. A vibrant democracy requires the participation of all segments of society, and addressing these issues is key to ensuring a more inclusive and representative political landscape.

^[1] B. Mahmood, M. M. Sohail, S. K. Mushtaq, and S. A. Rizvi, Social Factors Hindering Political Participation in Pakistan: A Review Article, Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences, 5(23), 2014, p. 1933.

^[2]A. R. Shahid, Voting Behavior of Educated Youth in Pakistan, 2012

^[3] K. A. Soomro, Youth Development Challenges in Pakistan: Need for Youth Empowerment, Public Policy and Administration Research, November 2015.