Pakistan and the imperatives of political stability
https://arab.news/bw299
Politics in Pakistan has severely undermined state and society, shorn as it is of any ethical or moral considerations. The democratic constitutional order has been upended by the political elite like never before. Although politics is rarely about ethics, the present political scenario reeks of corrupt and immoral practices that has made a mockery of democracy and more alarmingly threatens to unravel the social and economic order
Political polarization runs deep and the country inches forward towards bankruptcy and the collapse of governance. The well-being of the people is no consideration for politicians as they have only their sights fixed on wresting power to fulfil their greed and preserve their narrow self-interests. Democracy and the constitution have become watchwords for political games with an impending sense of anarchy.
Some argue that this is part of a societal evolution where economic and societal contradictions of sorts will eventually lead to some grand national reconciliation through democratic means. Others feel that the state itself may not be able to survive this sort of democratic experiment. Democracy seems to have become synonymous with anarchy.
The military, which has throughout Pakistan’s history been a major power broker, is also blamed for stymying the natural growth of a healthy democracy. Yet, there is no gainsaying that dynastic, feudal politics is actually the bane that has inflicted a now unsupportable cost to the state and society. Recent history is replete with instances of grave political transgressions ranging from rigged elections, horse trading, political violence to blatant disregards of propriety and norms of decency.
What is fueling contestations and conflict is either rubbishing popular opinion as evidenced in electoral outcomes by devious means, old methods of suppression of dissent and freedom of expression and the politicization of state institutions and compelling rogue behavior with no regard to the essence of interests of the country and the people. The vote of no confidence to oust the PTI government by an unnatural coalition set the stage for this downward trajectory.
Between the courts and politicians, precious time is being lost as the country’s economic engines are stalling and the common man suffers immense hardships at the hands of deceitful politicians.
Salman Bashir
Fair and transparent general elections were the only reasonable way to restoring political sanity. Former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s popularity ratings soared in the wake of the premature dismissal of the PTI government. This has been proven again in the Punjab by-elections on July 17, where the PTI gained 15 of 20 seats. It is amply evident that Imran Khan is hugely popular and, in all likelihood, would succeed if the elections were to be held this year.
Yet, on July 22, by using whatever devious technicalities, the vote for election of the Chief Minister Punjab was denied to the PML-Q/ PTI candidate who had secured the largest number of votes. The matter will again be presented before the Supreme Court to adjudicating the controversial ruling of the Deputy Speaker of the Provincial Assembly.
The PML-N/ PDM government to its credit has taken all the unpopular decisions, as demanded by the IMF, which have imposed an unbearable cost to the people in terms of inflation, depreciation of the rupee value and erosion of confidence in the economy as evidenced by collapsing capital markets. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his party have borne the political costs to stave bankruptcy and imminent default.
Saving the economy is undoubtedly the most important issue. It would have been good if all political parties made it a priority and reached a solemn undertaking to unify their actions accordingly instead of using it as a ploy for political games.
However, there are limits and the PML-N cannot be expected to commit political suicide. This is where the matter stands and if the PML-N were to lose Punjab, it may be better off calling general elections at the center and the provinces. On the other hand, if PTI were to exhibit patience and allow the Assemblies to complete their terms, it may benefit from anti-incumbency and other factors in the next general elections.
Between the courts and politicians, precious time is being lost as the country’s economic engines are stalling and the common man suffers immense hardships at the hands of deceitful politicians.
- Salman Bashir is a Pakistani diplomat who served as Foreign Secretary of Pakistan and as High Commissioner of Pakistan to India.
Twitter: @Salman_B_PK
