POREG VIEW: On September 12, Turkey voted in a referendum held on September 12. The outcome is a thumb up to the constitutional changes brought forward by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s Justice and Development Party (AKP) to curb the powers of the military.
The army is viewed as the guardian of the legacy of Kemal Ata Turk and upholder of the secular character of the Turkish state. Now the army is being stripped off its exalted status. Its officers will be accountable to civilian courts in the event of a coup. Turkey has seen four coups since 1960 and the referendum coincided with the 30th anniversary of the fourth coup.
On the flip-side, the ruling party has been conceding ground to religious groups, in matters like ban on veil. This is notwithstanding the Prime Minister Erdogan’s commitment to secularism. Some of the constitutional changes proposed relate to judicial reforms, economic and social rights and individual freedoms. These have been taken up to facilitate smooth entry into the European Union.
Turkey is the second Muslim country that has gone in for rejig to strengthen the foundations of its democracy. Recently, Bangladesh banned religious parties and gave a fresh lease to its secular ethos. Bangladesh army has resisted the calls for take over of the reins at the fall of Khaleda Zia government and what was more ensured smooth conduct of elections that have ushered in the Sheik Hasina rule.
Pakistan has close ties with Turkey. And it has reshaped relations with Bangladesh. Now both these countries are good case studies to Pakistan to emerge as a vibrant democracy.
