The Government of Pakistan has initiated some steps to put a ban on Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) as political Party. The decision was taken after verdict of Supreme Court over the Reserved Seats quota and restoration of the status of PTI as political party in the Parliament. Since the decision was taken in haste therefore, a huge political controversy arose over the decision, attracting wide-spread criticism and condemnation. Indeed, such decision needs lot of deliberations and debate with legal complications and repercussions. Later, the Government of PML (N) had a second thought and decided to consult other coalition partners over the decision. It is expected that, there will be some politically mature decision, coming out as a result of consultative process between political parties about this delicate issue.
On its part, PTI is agitating over the implementation of Supreme Court verdict over reserved seats and likely ban on the party which has further escalated the political instability in the country. Besides, PTI is heading toward a clash by launching an organized social media campaign against the institution of Military and other key institutions. PTI wants to subjugate every institution through its popularity which causes political confrontation and hinders economic stability of the country. Pakistan needs political stability for its economic development. Earlier a UN Economic Survey Report, released in April 2024 has declared political unrest in Pakistan is the real cause of its economic instability. Unfortunately, political unrest and imprudence of political leadership of various political parties has caused adverse effects on the business and trade of Pakistan. Besides, owing to unstable political environment, local and international investors are shaky to invest in Pakistan. Leaving aside the foreign investments, the local investors of Pakistan have been found shifting their assets away from Pakistan. Indeed, there is direct relationship between political stability and economic stability in any country; political stability is precursor to economic stability and development. Similarly, political instability becomes sole reason to economic instability, social poverty and social unrest. Political instability is regarded by global economists as a serious malaise, harmful to economic performance of a state. Political instability in a state shortens policymakers’ options for making stable and long-term economic policies. It compels the economists to make sub-optimal short term macroeconomic policies. It may also lead to a more frequent switch of policies, creating volatility and thus, negatively affecting macroeconomic.
Pakistan is facing the malaise of political instability besides many other factors in its fragile political system. Unfortunately, political polarization among political parties is rampant in Pakistan. This process further creates polarization in the parliament of Pakistan. The coalition governments of more than one political party always try to exploit the system in their favours. This happened frequently from 2018 to-date. PTI and Coalition Government of PDM neither performed politically nor economically, giving way to economic down-fall, political uncertainties and social unrest. PTI has taken a very harsh stance and is not ready to talk to any political party over the resolution of political issues of Pakistan. The founder of PTI, Imran Khan thinks that the entire country is standing behind him; therefore his decision should be final for all. At the same time he and his party are sending messages for negotiations with Establishment which goes against the political norms.
Pakistan needs a strong and stable political authority which will eliminate all looming uncertainties while providing solid grounds for economic development of the country. The unstable political structure in politics is most damaging factor for economic performance and stability .Practically the middle class is disappearing in Pakistan with two clear distinctions; the rich class of elites and poor class of streets. There is an unjust distribution of resources and wealth in the country; pushing the people towards despair, uncertainty and chaos. The process breeds unrest in the society, thus further driving the society towards intolerance, extremism, hatred and militancy. This is a very bad state of affairs in the country. The reasons are very common and simple to understand. These include; political instability, bad governance, poor economic management and people’s deprivations at socio-economic and socio-political levels.
Political instability emanates from selfish of political leadership bad governance which further impacts the economic development. Governance system comprises a processof governing undertaken by the government of a state through various means. Good governance is a way of measuring how public institutions conduct public affairs and manage public resources in an efficient manner. The concept of Good Governance emerges as a model to compare ineffective economies or political bodies with viable economies and political bodies. The Bad Governance is the unfavourable relationship between those who govern and the ones being governed. What makes governance of any society bad hangs on rule of law and accountability of those breaking the laws.
At this crises time of political instability, the political leadership of Pakistan must reconcile and adopt statesmanship approach towards state and people of Pakistan. This approach calls for; prioritising the well-being and economic prosperity of the people while simultaneously strengthening the state of Pakistan from all aspects. The focus should be on the long-term political stability and economic reforms of the state. Run the state through a set of long-term political and economic policies rather day to day business of the state. Let there be political and institutional consensus on the issues of national interests without biases. Envisage and frame a better governance system for an efficient public service. Create better working conditions for the investors and masses. Reform the judicial system for timely disburdenment of Justice to everyone. The key to success is: trust building between state, society, political forces and institutions of Pakistan.
— The writer is Professor of Politics and IR at International Islamic University, Islamabad.
