Haseeb Niazi
Pakistan’s Constitution guarantees every citizen the fundamental right to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and the formation of political parties. These rights are integral to any democratic society and reflect the principles of pluralism and political participation. In line with this, anyone—individually or as a group—can declare the creation of a political party, as we recently saw with Reham Khan’s announcement of the “Pakistan Republic Party.” However, while the constitutional legitimacy of such moves is unquestionable, it raises an important and often uncomfortable question: should every individual or group, solely based on desire or personal ambition, be allowed to form a political party? Or should there be a framework of criteria and qualifications that ensures responsibility, experience, and capability?
Democracy is not just the right to act—it is also the duty to act responsibly. The formation of political parties by inexperienced, untrained, or non-serious individuals risks undermining the entire democratic structure. It creates noise, confusion, and superficial political engagement rather than strengthening democratic values. Therefore, it is imperative that Pakistan begin a national conversation about regulating the formation of political parties, not to suppress political freedom, but to ensure its meaningful application.
The first and perhaps most vital criterion should be political experience. The creation of a political party should not be based on social media presence, momentary fame, or reactionary motivations. A political party deserves public attention only if its founders demonstrate a working understanding of democratic processes, institutional structures, public policy, and parliamentary norms. Without this, such parties merely become vehicles for personal promotion, lacking any real vision or capacity to govern. They generate media hype, but rarely offer sustainable or serious contributions to political discourse.
A second essential criterion is grassroots support. Authentic political parties emerge from the people—they listen to local grievances, engage with communities, and evolve from grassroots activism. Whether through participation in union council elections or civic movements, this local engagement grounds a party in real public concerns. Any party that bypasses this process lacks the depth and resilience required for parliamentary politics. Before being allowed to participate in national elections, new political outfits should demonstrate that they have earned the trust of the people at the local level.
Thirdly, a clear organizational structure and institutional capacity are critical. A serious political party should have a well-defined ideological framework, a written manifesto, transparent financing mechanisms, internal democratic procedures, trained party workers, and functioning policy-making bodies. Personality-driven parties, which revolve around a single figure without broader institutional support, often collapse under the weight of their own internal contradictions. Worse, they distract from serious political debate by injecting populism, conspiracy theories, or emotional theatrics into the mainstream.
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A fourth, and often overlooked, requirement is legal and moral credibility. The founders and key representatives of a political party should possess clean records—free from criminal allegations, fraudulent academic credentials, and financial scandals. When individuals with tainted reputations are allowed to launch political parties, it fuels public cynicism and damages the already fragile trust in democratic institutions.
Given these challenges, Pakistan urgently needs a standardized regulatory framework for the registration and operation of new political parties. This framework should include:
A minimum of five years of demonstrable political or civic experience for the party’s founders.
Documented evidence of three years of grassroots engagement, such as local community work or participation in municipal elections.
A comprehensive organizational outline, including a constitution, manifesto, and transparency in funding.
Verified evidence of support in at least two districts, shown through registered party members or successful local campaigns.
A review mechanism by the Election Commission to evaluate a party’s institutional readiness before approving its participation in national elections.
Such regulations should not be seen as restrictions on democratic rights, but rather as a way to protect democratic integrity. If every individual or public figure begins forming political parties based on fleeting fame, protest theatrics, or media optics, then Pakistan’s political system will become increasingly chaotic and directionless.
Political maturity demands that democracy be treated as a serious responsibility, not as a personal brand or entertainment. The public also bears responsibility in this process. Voters must learn to distinguish between genuine political movements and attention-seeking ventures that exploit politics for personal or commercial gain. The creation of a political party is not a publicity stunt—it is a long-term commitment to public service, policymaking, and democratic evolution.
In a country like Pakistan, already facing institutional weaknesses, political polarization, and economic hardship, it is more crucial than ever to strengthen—not dilute—the democratic process. This means encouraging responsible, experienced, and community-rooted political participation. Instead of allowing the political stage to be cluttered with unserious actors and shallow narratives, we must build mechanisms that reward consistency, vision, and service to the people.
In conclusion, Pakistan needs to move beyond the romanticism of “every citizen can form a party” and begin thinking critically about the responsibilities that come with that right. A healthy democracy does not just tolerate diversity—it curates it through systems that promote credible, sustainable political engagement. The future of Pakistan’s democracy depends on elevating the standards of political leadership, not lowering the bar for entry.
