THE political deadlock among the political parties has seriously impacted the state and society of Pakistan. This undesired political stalemate since last few years has badly hampered the social harmony, national unity and political stability in the country. Together, these factors have greatly contributed towards economic deterioration of Pakistan and enhanced the dependency of the state on international financial institutions (IFIs) and loans from friendly countries. Besides, there has been unprecedented increase in the susceptibilities of Pakistan from various aspects: social, political, economic and security. This is very unfortunate that despite these massive downfalls, there is no realization among the political leadership of Pakistan to take immediate steps for bringing stability and restoration of the trust of the people. Rather in the process of political victimization of each other, political forces of Pakistan have harmed the state more than their political rivals at national and international levels. The people of Pakistan question their political leadership as to when and how, the state and society of Pakistan will come out from this uncertainty; political polarization, ethnic and sectarian prejudice, economic crises and, above all, the recurrent chaotic situation.
As analyzed from its history, the state of Pakistan has not come out from the elements of instability and chaos for the last many decades. Each government faces the challenge of its political survival from the day it is elected and instead of working for the national development and economic prosperity of the state and masses, successive governments take all legal and illegal measures to complete their tenures. This includes: political bribe, violation of merit system, undesired and harmful alliances at home and abroad and, above all, ignoring the implementation of national interest and wellbeing of the state and society of Pakistan. This all is happening in Pakistan besides so many other ills and evils for decades now. The unfortunate aspect of this all is that, there is no realization among those who cause these problems and play with the future of Pakistan and Pakistanis and yet remains at the helm of affairs.
The political polarization, started in February 2022, is still continuing which is badly damaging the national image and the process of democratization. Taking advantage of the political instability, economic down-fall and social unrest in Pakistan, the external rival forces find an opportune time to further destabilize Pakistan by exploiting its vulnerabilities and fault lines; using militancy and economy as the main tools. Militancy emanating from western borders is spreading all over Pakistan, targeting security personnel and civilians alike. The Interim Afghan Taliban Government is fully supporting the TTP and other militant organizations, attacking Pakistan. History proves that, states with strong domestic order, social cohesion, political stability, national harmony and a visionary leadership are less susceptible for foreign invasions and aggressive acts of external forces. Contrarily, countries with domestic chaos and political disorder easily became victim to external conspiracies and aggression.
Some of the recent examples are: Libya, Iraq, Syria and Yemen. These states once had admirable living standards and harmonized domestic order, giving job opportunities to rest of the world. The domestic unrest, political rivalries, bad governance and lack of statesmanship among the top national leadership exposed them for external exploitation and current level of state collapse. Such a happening can take place anywhere with any country, since international system is based on power politics where states tend to weaken the rival states for the expansion of their influence and power. The state of Pakistan itself became a victim of external conspiracies and aggression in 1971, mainly because of political polarization, self-seeking political leadership, bad governance, festering social cohesion and self-centred leadership at the helm of affairs. Today, once again the foes of Pakistan are all out to create domestic chaos and political unrest in Pakistan.
This is a dangerous situation, facing Pakistan. At this critical juncture of its history, Pakistan cannot afford a political volatility, domestic unrest and fragmented national image. Unfortunately, this all is happening after this resilient nation successfully defeated the globally imposed terrorism against the state and society of Pakistan. This externally imposed terrorism was defeated through valiant act of heroism, undertaken by Pakistani military where nation stood behind them wholeheartedly. The evolving political instability, social unrest, economic melt-down and resurgence of terrorism provides the rival forces an opportunity to fuel the situation to the disadvantage of Pakistani state, society and for their own advantage in subsequent phase. Therefore, in order to find a way out from all these domestic and external challenges there is a dire need for the initiation of political dialogue among the political and religio-political parties of Pakistan.
Through these political dialogues, political forces and institutions must reach over to consensus on: (a) ending political instability and political polarization, (b) innovation based indigenous economic revival, (c) a strategy to counter the rising trends of militancy as a national resolve, (d) promotion of national integration and tolerance, (e) improving the living standards of the masses, (f) reinvigorating the justice system and improving the accountability process and (g) release all political prisoners and (h) immediate restoration of confidence of the masses over the state and its institutions. These issues need immediate and thorough debate in the political dialogue. An agreeable outcome of these dialogues can restore domestic order which will defy external conspiracies and economic revival of Pakistan. Attainment of these broad objectives as a result of political dialogue will lead the nation towards a general consensus on all issues at national level. The political consensus will be the starting point for bringing reforms in all those areas which somehow triggered crevice in the political and governance system of the state. Owing to highly volatile situation, the process of initiation of political dialogue must start sooner than later.
— The writer is Professor of Politics and IR at International Islamic University, Islamabad.
