Pakistan has changed governments, systems and institutions, but the real test remains whether ordinary citizens can demand justice from those in power.

Pakistan don't need any other formula for fixing the system. It simply needs a system where Justice is served to ordinary citizens and those in power are held accountable.

Democratic state is one where power belongs to people, but what does democracy means for an ordinary Pakistani who comes out on street demanding Justice and find state standing against him? What does accountability men to a family demanding Justice for their dead child? What does a "Democratic State" means if people have no power nor anyone to question.

These questions came to my mind when students Protesting at Sarhad University and people at Nursery stop demanding Justice for Mir Raza were treated as threat. FIRs were launched against protestors and heavy police force was present to stop people from demanding Justice, while Sarhad University students have been expelled. If public cannot practice their democratic rights, where exactly are they supposed to take their grievances?

I don't agree with the idea that problems of Pakistan can be solved simply by bringing changes to the structure. Recently, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi stated that governance system has collapsed, his statement was followed by opened debates about new provinces and greater federal control. In past, we have seen Presidential governments, Parliamentary governments, Martial laws, Hybrid regimes, one unit formula and constitutional amendments but the problems remained the same.

So the question is, is the structure real issue or what we do with it? For me a democratic state is based on two principles — Justice and accountability. Common citizen should be aware that seeking Justice is his democratic right, while on the other hand those in power should know that they are accountable to public. Even the best system can collapse without exercising these two.

Recently 14 newborns were burnt alive when a fire broke out at the neonatal ward of PIMS hospital Islamabad. Government removed health secretary and committee was formed to inquire the incident. Families who lost their children deserve to know what wrong happend, who was responsible and what will change afterwards. Government cannot escape accountability simply by forming a committee.

Then there's case from Haripur where a five year old missing girl was found dead 14 days later. Her family spent days searching for her and endured devastating pain.However, police have arrested suspects and investigation is under process. But such cases leave a question: who is responsible for making sure that Justice actually gets delivered?

This feeling becomes stronger when we see that how power works differently. Common citizens may keep pushing for years to get basic problem resolve, while on the other hand someone with power can make it happen it minutes. The same applies to public services as well. Damaged road, failed departments and damaged public facilities, people will keep complaining but they don't know in actual whom to held responsible. Actual problem is not that every individual is corrupt but responsibility becomes so scattered that accountability disappears.

This is where peaceful protests becomes necessary. Protests are not direct threats to the government but a democratic right. However, peaceful protests are dealt with hard hand in Pakistan.

Recently we saw in India that how pressure from Genz protests for leak paper created accountability and forced Education Minister to resign. I don't want every protest to be copied but I want government to respond to public demands in democratic ways.

Why demanding Justice is considered as an act against the state? Why people feel powerless when something goes wrong? Who people hesitate to ask accountability? These all are democratic questions.

Government of Pakistan treats criticism and demand of Justice as hostility towards the state. State institutes become strong when they accept criticism, improve their flaws and held their people accountable. Accountability strengthen institutions.

When state delivers Justice to common citizens and ensures accountability in its institutions this is where democracy wins.

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