A time for serious retrospection
A time for serious retrospection The arrest and release of Imran Khan, the former Prime Minister of Pakistan should not be seen as setback or success for some political outfits and their supporters among general masses.
The entire happening has to be seen and debated as wholesome and extraordinary event which needs retrospection with future consequences. For the first time in the history of Pakistan, people dared to cross the red-lines by directly assaulting the military installations in various parts of the country. This also includes assaulting and looting of Corps Commander’s House in Lahore and GHQ Gate near Mall Road, Rawalpindi. Indeed, this has never happened in the entire history of Pakistan. Rather, there has been an intimate and deep-rooted relationship between armed forces of Pakistan and the general masses.
The people of Pakistan have always loved their soldiers in uniform and backed their roles in the defense of state’s geographical boundaries and in the maintenance of state’s sovereignty. It was dedicated support of the masses which enabled the security forces of Pakistan to win the war against terrorism. Besides, in all wars against India, the people of Pakistan stood behind its military. The question arises, why there have been violent attacks against military installations and sensitive areas under military after arrest of Imran Khan. should the incident be treated as isolated event or something more than this?
Indeed, this all is happening because of polarisation of Pakistani society which itself originated from years of bad governance in the country. Over the years there has been gradual polarisation of the Pakistani society from multiple angles; religious and sectarian, factional and ethnic, provincial and political. Whereas, all other forms of polarization are going-on covertly in various parts of the country, the political polarization has dominated the society since April 2022. This polarization started with change of PTI Government in the Federation. It is worth mentioning that in last few months of the PTI Government, it’s popularity graph fell to lowest ebb and even some of the PTI MPs were quite vocal against the policies of top PTI leadership including its chairman. The change of government (so-called regime change) was a blessing for PTI, since it gave a new life for the dying character of this political outfit. Indeed, it was resuscitation under the garb of a new narrative of American role in the regime change. The anti-American narrative of the PTI Government (which they portrayed and publicized at the time of regime change) got currency and PTI regained its lost popularity once again after the process of regime change. It is worth mentioning that, the performance and popularity of PTI was at its lowest ebb towards the end of 2021 and beginning of 2022. The same was inverted because of anti-American sentiments and narrative which was well planned event and executed by well-wisher of Imran Khan who dreamt and planned to be at the helm of affairs for a foreseeable future. Upon accruing the maximum benefits of anti-American narrative, the PTI leadership decided to take a gradual U-turn and started getting closer to America by interpreting that, it was General Bajwa who changed the Government and brought into power the corrupt politicians of PDM whom he himself declared as corrupt during his meetings and official briefings besides at the time of exit of Nawaz Sharif in 2017 and general elections-2018.
Unfortunately, on its part, the performance of PDM government under Prime Minister Shahbaz has been below the expectations since they didn’t deliver for common good of the masses. Rather, the masses of Pakistan are highly disappointed owing to bad governance and record high inflation in the era of PDM. The poor governance system of PDM further polarized the society which Imran Khan fully exploited in his favour; despite his bad governance from 2018 to 2022, he emerged as the most popular leader of Pakistan today.
The on-going political confrontation among political forces has created a chaotic situation in the country. All political parties want democracy in the country in their own terms and constitutional provisions which pave way for their rule. They interpret and recognize democracy in the country once they are in power, otherwise it is not a democracy nor there is rule of law once they are in opposition. PTI Chairman is clear in his political approach and totalitarian philosophy that; if he is in power then all is good; the democracy, the judiciary and the establishment. Other political forces have almost similar thinking. Besides, all political outfits consider judiciary which decides in their favour irrespective of the merit of the case. More so, all political forces would like friendly establishments which supportall their legal or illegal acts and toe their line of actions.
In summary, all political forces consider themselves and their political parties over and above the state of Pakistan and its institutions. Similarly, past practices reveals that there have been institutional inclinations towards one political force or other which made them disputed.
Today, once political confrontation is at its peak, red lines have been crossed, chaos and uncertainty is rambling in Pakistan, there is no institution in the country which can play the role of arbitrator and mediator. As a way forward, there is an immediate need for serious retrospection and foresightedness at the level of institutions and political forces for a reconciliation and national unity within the constitutional bondage of Pakistan. The sooner they undertake retrospection and reconciliation the better it is; otherwise time is running out for everyone in Pakistan.
— The writer is Professor of Politics and IR at International Islamic University, Islamabad.
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