THE six opposition political parties have started their campaign against the incumbent coalition government. The agitation aims to dislodge the government, which opposition parties consider as unlawful, thus underlining a need for making Pakistan a true democratic state. The first gathering for this agitation was in Pishin area of the Balochistan Province where there is serious law and order situation since last few months. The opposition alliance has named the agitation as, “TehreekTahafuzAyeen-i-Pakistan (TTAP)”. Leaders of the six opposition political parties, named as ‘Grand Alliance’ have criticised the incumbent government over its policies and the emerging law and order situation. Whereas political agitations and movements is the right of political parties, the time frame for these campaigns must be reconsidered. Pakistan has just conducted General Elections and passing through a very precarious security and economic situation. The politics of agitations may provide grounds for rival external forces for their nefarious designs. Political instability and unfavourable security situation (terrorism) will halt all the chances of economic revival of the state. At this critical juncture, Pakistan cannot afford any such instability.
There is an intimate relationship between political stability and economic prosperity in a country. Indeed, political stability is precursor to economic stability and development. Similarly, political instability is precursor to economic instability, abject poverty and social unrest. There are four broad contours of political instability; a) the propensity for regime or else government change, b) the incidence of political upheaval and violence in the society and c) instabilities in policies of the governments and d) lack of good governance. Political instability is regarded by 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 the country. 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 2023. Both governments did not perform politically as well as economically. Indeed, their political instability gave way to economic instability and social unrest in the society. In fact, the frequency of government changes and frequent interferences has further destabilized the process of political stability and economic development in Pakistan. The main condition for a country to achieve stable economic growth is a strong and stable political structure. A strong and stable political authority will eliminate many looming uncertainties in the state. With the support of such a strong policy, the economy will ensure stable growth. The unstable structure in politics is most damaging factor for economic performance and stability.As a nation the people of Pakistan will have to collectively think about where we are heading and what is our destiny? Since last five years, there is a storm of inflation reaching to over 40%, causing abject poverty among the society.
The Sensitive Price Index (SPI) reported a year-on-year increase of 43.79 %, as disclosed by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) in last week of January 2024. 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 bad governance which further impacts the economic development. Governance comprises; all of the processes of 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. Good Governance includes; participation, consensus, orientation, accountability, transparency, responsiveness, effectiveness, efficiency, equitability and the rule of law. 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.
As a way forward the opposition political parties should stop their public agitations which obviously create uncertainty among the masses at large. Rather all political issues should be discussed and debated at level of Parliament.
Indeed, nations make and political parties make their decisions in the Parliament. These decisions will be long-lasting with legislation as a future course of action. Strengthening of democracy should be done in the parliament rather on roads which hamper the routine activities of the business class, workers class and mass at large. The ruling elites should embrace statesmanship approach while dealing with the political and economic affairs of the state and society. This calls for; prioritizing the well-being and prosperity of the state and the masses over and above the political parties. The focus should be on the long-term political stability and economic health of the state besides creating favourable conditions for the investors and masses. Reform the judicial system for timely disburdenment of Justice to everyone. Trust building between state, society, political forces and institutions is pivotal in the entire process.
— The writer is Professor of Politics and IR at International Islamic University, Islamabad.
Email: [email protected]
