Imran and America
IMRAN’S controversial statements on Pakistan’s future and America are power politics for getting early elections.
Furthering PTI agenda, ex-FM Qureshi quoted memo scandal, dawn leaks and questioned credibility of ECP’s following its readiness for election with or without census where as CCI chaired by Imran decided to hold census before 2023 elections.
President Alvi has also returned Electoral and NAB reforms bill without approval. From government side, PM has given August 2023 as the election date during his visit to Turkey.
He said it could be extended by a year if economy is doing well. It is a pressure tactic to consolidate their political power in exchange for sending message of continuity and stability for Pak-IMF deal.
Timing of election is critical. Early election will cost government due to its economic policy fallout and delay will go against PTI.
Experts opine that elections could be held towards end of the 2022. PM’s call for grand dialogue and news of Imran’s likely house arrest after expiry of pre-arrest bail are pressure tactics to pass budget, bring PTI back to parliament, and implement Pak-IMF deal.
PTI’s postponement of [its] protest(s) after the budget is a quid pro quo reconciliatory gesture.
Its MNAs will only verify their resignations and return to parliament if there is guarantee for Imran’s freedom, and in turn give legitimacy as opposition to the constitutional government.
Like Europe, Pakistan is grappling with challenges of wood-based monetary based Western democratic system, economy and foreign policy.
The Economist supports economy in its article “Imran Khan is jeopardizing Pakistan’s attempts to fix its economy”.
“The interfering ex-Prime Minister is distracting the government with his constant threats. ” PM’s election statement from Turkey, the Economist publication from Delhi and Imran’s anti-West statements are no coincidence. They are part of international politics. Putin is testing Europe with challenges that Pakistan is facing.
Here is what we have learnt from Ukraine’s 100 plus day war. No country can succeed on its own.
Russia’s income has increased threefold due to price increase. Blockade has failed.
European leaders supporting the NATO’s control of Europe are facing strong public backlash due to growing cost of living and it is getting deeper.
Conservative Party of UK has suffered humiliating defeat in local body elections sending shockwaves in Europe.
Boris Johnson Sue Gray report on Partygate Scandal exposed violation of Covid laws. The double standards have turned British democracy into dictatorship forcing many Tory MPs to demand his resignation.
It is a blow to Biden’s foreign policy of controlling Europe through NATO after Trump’s withdrawal.
The crumbling of Manchin’s bipartisan energy talks have left Democrats empty handed on domestic front for now in mid terms.
After Hungry, Turkey has blocked Sweden and Finland’s NATO bid to get his way. Europe is still divided. Macron’s statement to save Russia from humiliation in Ukraine will further deepen the divide.
He admitted holding 100 hours of talks with Putin at the request of Zelenskiy. France, Germany and OSCE were mediating with Russia to end war in Ukraine (Minsk Agreement).
Scholz, like Merkel will have to stand up to NATO and protect interest of German public and peace in Europe.
Similarly, India will have to choose between region and Quad and Biden rule of law, Kashmir and Palestine.
Bretten Woods System governs monetary relations among independent states. Global financial institutions including WB, IMF and WTO should give equal rights to all member states.
Otherwise, Democracy will mirror Soviet blocs of dictatorships. Similarly, political parties should impose taxes to run countries to stop incurring debt, inflation and higher cost of living.
Europe (energy prices) and America (Biden’s Stimulus packages) have shown that it will result in inflation, unemployment and wars.
Our politicians should challenge these western policies instead of blaming each other if they want to serve public.
They have to withdraw from global supply chains to revive industry, create jobs and cut cost of living.
There was only 4 per cent increase in energy prices in France because of nuclear energy. Macron will make 14 more nuclear energy plants.
Pakistan will have to make its own domestic consumption based economic policies to end debt and have independent foreign policy.
Pakistan should join Europe and call for end of Ukraine war. It should call for lifting of sanctions on Iran and Russia following Venezuela.
It will increase production and bring down price. OPEC should fix per barrel price under $80. Pakistan’s economy suffered because PTI failed to implement its manifesto.
PTI chair admitted there were mistakes. Politicians should bring down cost of living to win elections instead of blaming others.
Democracy has to end corruption and uphold rule of law to end political dictatorships and blame games.
Textile industry is getting $23/unit gas for six cents. They should face law who signed all such agreements, increased price of atta, sugar, medicines, devalued rupee, high interest rates, hot money and SBP.
Biden should order $2.29 trillion corruption in Afghanistan (Afghan Papers, Washington Post 09 Dec 2019) and hold three American presidents accountable for lying to public on it (America’s Afghanistan Fiasco, 11 Dec 2019, Trevor Noah’s Daily Show).
—The writer is senior political analyst based in Islamabad.
