Let’s end political antagonism in Pakistan
AFTER three hectic rounds of dialogue between the incumbent government and Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) there has been no tangible outcome. The dead-lock over key issues still exists with no hope to end the political antagonism. Chairman PTI, Imran Khan, is adamant that National Assembly and provincial assemblies must be dissolved before or by 14 May 2023. The Government side is insisting on holding the elections at federal and provincial levels on the same day upon completion of remaining tenure of the National Assembly. Both sides have further hardened their stance without any flexibility. Indeed, both sides prefer party interests over national interests of Pakistan, thus continuing with the political instability and antagonism in the country.
The prevailing political situation is getting worse with each passing day, giving way to political polarization in the country. This political uncertainty and antagonism has clearly divided the society on socio-political grounds. Unlike past practices, this political divide is getting ill-disposed, fierce and aggressive with each passing day. The PTI leadership and its workers are not ready to accept any other political force (s), considering the incumbent government as an outcome of the conspiracy against them. The anti-American narrative of the PTI leadership has turned into an anti-establishment campaign with the sole aim of targeting the institutions of security. In the last few months, PTI leadership has been frequently meeting with US officials in Pakistan, assuring them of their support if they are back in power.
Since the incumbent government has not been able to deliver in the last one year, PTI leadership and workers are able to fully exploit the situation in their favour by charging the people against the government and all other political parties and political forces which ruled the state in the past. The dangerous part of this political agitation of PTI is not against the foreign conspiracies, but building narratives against the military establishment. In the last one year, there have been clear statements from the top PTI leadership implicating the establishment over regime change and favouritism of the PMLN-led coalition government. This is a very dangerous trend and indeed gave a new format to Pakistani politics. The PTI leadership had all its praises for the military establishment once they had the power but changed all-together once out of power. The other political parties have somewhat followed the same format for their political gains in the past. However, there are clear trends of aggressive posture in the statements and actions of PTI leadership. The leadership of this political outfit and over-charged youth is upsetting the people and even the law enforcement agencies through their aggressive gestures.
The political crisis and campaign against institutions of security is increasing with each passing day, further polarizing the society and creating chaos in the country. This uncertainty and chaotic situation is badly impacting the economy which otherwise has been on ventilator for the last three years. Visualizing the looming crisis, there are analysts who draw parallels between Pakistan and what happened in some of Arab countries and those defaulted economically through prolonged and incessant political instability. Indeed, domestic instability and economic downfall always create chaos and infighting in any state and Pakistan is not an exception.
In fact, the social make-up of Pakistan, Iran and Sri Lanka is very different. Iran is a nation with a history of unity, revival and ability to come back and so is Sri Lanka. Pakistan is a society with multiple fault-lines which can trigger chain reaction at any time through the statements of popular political figure(s). This is the real problem; the leadership of Pakistan must ponder while prolonging the political antagonism and preferring selfish personal and party interests over national interests of Pakistan.
Whereas, the rival powers and international forces are always on look-out to exploit the situation for their strategic gains, nonetheless, they cannot be blamed for the emerging political polarization and confrontationist approach, having a domestic make-up. After all, an endless lust for power by various political forces and a few individuals has brought the crises to the level of political confrontation and socio-political divide in the country. The domestic instability and vulnerability always provide grounds to external forces to intrude into and exploit the situation for their political and strategic gains. Therefore, the responsibility to cause the crises and escalate them to the point of no return lies somewhere within, hence its remedy cannot be searched externally. Indeed, you cannot blame others for your own mistakes.
From the gestures of various stakeholders, it appears that no one is ready to accept the responsibility of looming socio-political crises in the country. Rather, everyone is looking for the victory while blaming the opponents. Such a pessimistic approach would lead us to an unimaginable national loss, since this all is happening at a time once Pakistan is at the verge of economic collapse and socio-political confrontation. Prudence demands that the emerging crises must be taken very seriously, before it is too late.
As a way forward, all stakeholders must cease to issue provocative and conflicting statements against each, giving way to sanity, reverence and prudence. All stakeholders must understand that their rules and powers are directly related to the state of Pakistan. The Almighty forbid, if something goes wrong with Pakistan as a result of their confrontation and profligacy, would they still matter? Pakistan is a gift of the Almighty; therefore let’s respect Pakistan which obligates all political forces to centre their activities within the bounds of its Constitution. At this time of crisis in Pakistan, the civil society, intelligentsia and intellectual community of Pakistan must prevail over the conflicting forces, having personal motivations only. They must be made to realize that Pakistan and its 230 million masses are more important than the personal egos and political notions of only a few families and individuals.
— The writer is Professor of Politics and IR at International Islamic University, Islamabad.
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