AS Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) is seriously considering the option of dissolution of the Punjab and KP Assemblies or quitting these Houses by way of resignations to force the Government to announce immediate general election, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has categorically stated that the term of the present National Assembly will expire in August 2023 after which an interim Government would be set up to hold elections.
In an interview with Turkiye-based Anadolu Agency, Shehbaz said that the elections will be held on time and stressed that the incumbent government came into power through a constitutional process and enjoyed the mandate of the people of Pakistan.
The expectations of the people that the end of the controversy surrounding appointment of the new Army Chief would also bring to an end the uncertainty in the country have not materialized as the PTI leader has raised the ante by threatening to quit the Assemblies.
No doubt, moves to dissolve the two Provincial Assemblies and counter moves to protect them are purely democratic and constitutional in nature and the two sides are fully entitled to try their luck while remaining within the bounds of decency and fair-play.
However, it is also a fact that people of Pakistan have become weary of unending polarization, uncertainty and instability which is also taking a heavy toll on the economy and household budgets because of related governance and economic issues.
Apparently, the Government finds it difficult to sell its policies and programmes on a long-term basis due to political uncertainty and investors and donors are shy of taking a firm decision to play their part to help Pakistan bridge over its difficulties.
As is widely known, the coalition government is unwilling to hold early elections as its popularity has sunk due to a number of unpopular decisions that it had to take in a bid to avoid default and put the economy back on track.
Most of the measures taken by the government so far have increased the cost of living and the anger of the people was quite visible during two phases of by-elections.
Therefore, it wants time to undo the political harm before it goes for a general election but this is not acceptable to PTI which is riding on a popularity wave and wants to cash on it.
There are also two conflicting opinions on the timing of the next general election with the government side claiming the country needs a pause to tackle its grave economic challenges but the PTI believes only a fresh and clear-cut mandate can lend political and economic stability to the country.
The fact remains no political party can alone take the country out of the woods as we have witnessed in the past and during the course of the last few months.
PTI remained in power for about four years but it has no worthwhile economic achievement to its credit other than increasing the burden of loans on the country.
There is, therefore, little expectation that even a two-third majority would enable the party to produce better results next time as in the past too it enjoyed absolute support of all stakeholders including the Establishment and Judiciary but it could not deliver as per expectations.
Similarly, PML(N) has the demonstrated capability of managing the economy in a somewhat better manner but this requires peace and tranquillity which is missing in the country due to infighting among political players.
As things stand today, no one can say with certainty what is in store for the country during the next few weeks as the two sides are bent upon exercising all options at their disposal to advance their political objectives.
PTI wants to force the government to call early elections through dissolution of the assemblies of the two provinces where it is in power but Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah has hinted that even if the two provincial assemblies are dissolved the National Assembly elections can be delayed for six months to give time to the coalition government to take steps to provide relief to the inflation-ridden people.
Apart from tabling of no-confidence motions against the Chief Ministers of Punjab and KP, the possibility of imposition of Governor’s Rule in the two provinces cannot be ruled out. Irrespective of who wins the final round, the country and its economy are the sure losers.
