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Political crisis
What does the prevailing scenario in the political arena of the country reflect? It speaks volumes of the chaos and anarchy that is going to confront the country in the days and months to come. This thought sends shivers down the spine of the people. It seems the political forces have become oblivious to the gigantic economic predicaments that confront the country today. It seems they have not learnt a lesson from the past. One expected, they would rise above self and party interest, hold the country’s interest paramount and work in unison to steer the country out of its present economic crisis. All this now seems to be a far cry. How very sad, after having spent billions of taxpayers’ money (over Rs.17 billion as reported in media) on recently held national elections, we are back to square one.
The brewing political crisis cannot be repeated and cannot be amicably resolved by the political forces themselves. History bears testimony to the fact that they have not been able to do so in the past, and it would be difficult to solve their issues now. It seems that we have not learnt a lesson from history. One is compelled by circumstances to say that the time has come for those who possess the capacity to exercise their influence on the political forces of the country, to act briskly and bring them together on one platform in the larger interest of this country. If this is not done, one sees burgeoning political instability and chaos in the country. And, under no circumstances, can Pakistan’s brutally battered economy bear such a gut-wrenching situation. The country is in the whirlpool of economic crisis and the situation can be worsened if political stability is not obtained.
QAZI JAMSHED SIDDIQUI
Lahore
Elections 2024
Pakistan’s chequered history of the general elections bears no exemplary token. Firstly, nation could not see elections from 1947 to 1970. Maiden elections of 1970 ensued an inauspicious civil war and bloodbath thereby losing our erstwhile eastern wing, thanks to the military rule under which held our very first elections. Since then, all the elections proved either to be disputed or mired in controversy. Whether the 12th one will be any different seems an abysmal prospect given the current state of affairs from pre-to-poll elections.
From the delayed results to victory speeches delivered despite holding a second position to political wheeling and dealing to form coalition governments only to quash an evidently landmark mandate of people of Pakistan, 2024 elections also appears to have been lost its fairness and transparency like the 2018 general election.
In this current nebulous milieu of claims of victories, horse-trading of alliances, allegations of rigging, and ruffing and puffing of players to manipulate results, nation is completely flabbergasted and vague in comprehending what is next. Understandably, while one party is apprehending about its heavy mandate being stomped upon, another party seems reticent about rigging issues focusing on coalition making.
Against the backdrop of above-mentioned sorry state of affairs, fresh elections do not seem to be a harbinger of steering the country out of chaos towards a conciliatory conclusion. Unless political parties develop a consensus and respect the mandate of people, democracy cannot be made immune from undemocratic interferences of powers that be. Dialogue, conciliation, inclusiveness and mutual cooperation is a need of the hour to put an end to this vicious make-and-break cycle of dirty politics once and for all.
ZAHID ALI ZOHRI
Gilgit-Baltistan
Worst elections
Balochistan grappled with post-election turmoil as allegations of rigging sparked widespread protests. Shutter-down strikes, sit-ins and road blockades paralyzed several areas, including Gwadar, Turbat, Quetta and others. Hundreds of vehicles were stranded, causing hardships for commuters, particularly women and children.
Protesters, led by figures like Dr. Malik Baloch, demanded a recount, vowing to persist until results favoured allegedly overlooked candidates. National Party workers obstructed key routes, disrupting transport links to Quetta and Karachi, even affecting train services. Urgent government intervention is needed to alleviate the plight of stranded passengers and address the escalating crisis.
AYESHA ARIF
Turbat
Humanism binds diversities
In my whole coveted observation, I place at number one Humanism, promotion of Humanism; it is the only guarantee of international co-existence; but war loving countries don’t want co-existence, promotion of humanism and there is no global law to investigate this criminal behaviour of such countries/nations.
The UN should devise and enact a powerful global impact law to investigate and hold accountable those responsible for instigating wars under various pretexts. Numerous small countries have already fallen victim to warmongers. It has become evident that manufacturers of war material manipulate government systems to proliferate their products, with the US leading the way.
HAMEED SHAHEEN
Rawalpindi
