POLITICAL and economic entities agree that in the post-election scenario, Pakistan’s multiple crises and challenges would increase and the stakes for the new coalition government would be enormously high. The most immediate task for the government would be to negotiate a new bailout agreement with the IMF, which has started, as the country has to seek a new loan of at least of $6 billion to repay billions in debt due this year to avoid a default and to stabilise the economy.
In the recent election, Nawaz Sharif’s party PML-N has gained a simple majority, while the leadership of PTI party of jailed former PM Imran Khan claims that the election results had been changed to divest the party of its two-thirds majority in the parliament—the independent winners linked to Khan have emerged as the largest group in the lower house. With the support of other parties, especially Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Shehbaz Sharif leader of the PML-N secured a comfortable win over the PTI and the Sunni Ittehad Council backed by the PTI—also choosing PTI leader Omar Ayub as the opposition leader. The newly elected National Assembly met for the first time with lawmakers taking oaths amid protests on the floor of the house by supporters of the Sunni Ittehad Council and PTI.
Similar practice continued in the provincial assemblies on various occasions. However, in his maiden speech in the National Assembly, Premier Sharif listed frail economy and precarious security situation as challenges, and invited all the political entities to pull the country out of the crises.
PML-N, PPP and some other political parties also asked the PTI for cooperation so as to achieve political stability. But, the PTI leaders refused any such collaboration, alleged rigging in the elections. Following PTI blame game, the chief of JUI-F (party) MaulanaFazlurRehman who had confirmed the contacts with the PTI announced on March 3, this year that it will sit on opposition benches and organize a nationwide movement against the alleged vote rigging, accusing the establishment of it.
But, PML-N and some other parties opine that if elections were rigged or establishment interfered against the PTI as to how independent candidates, most loyal to Imran Khan, swept the polls in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province by winning 91 out of 113 provincial seats, and PTI leader Ali Amin Gandapur was elected as the chief minister. Notably, military’s media wing ISPR said in a statement that the Corps Commanders’ Conference held on March 5, 2024, chaired by Chief of Army Staff General Syed AsimMunir, clarified that army provided a security environment for the conduct of the general election 2024 as per the given mandate, and had nothing to do with the electoral process.
Top military commanders reiterated their commitment that planners and instigators—attackers of military installations on May 9, 2023 would certainly be brought to justice under the relevant provisions of the law—the forum expressed dismay that some vested small segments of polity and media, especially social media, had been maligning the armed forces with unsubstantiated allegations of interference which was highly deplorable—rather than focusing on real issues such as good governance, economic recovery, political stability—vested elements are creating political instability and uncertainty by attempting to scapegoat others for their own failings.
Next day, in an informal conversation with media representatives during the hearing of a case inside Adiala Jail, the founder of the PTI Khan who was openly criticising army in the past, took a U-turn, and stated that the PTI was not against the army and emphasised that the criticism over election rigging was not the criticism of the army—Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and chief election commission were responsible for it. He stressed that without political stability, the country could not function.
Besides, in a surprise development, Chief Minister of KP Ali Amin Gandapur on March 14, this year met Prime Minister Sharif and was satisfied with his first engagement with him, terming it as positive. Gandapur stated that during the meeting, he stressed on the need to hold political dialogue with PTI founder Imran Khan, which will lead to a political solution. Nevertheless, these are indications show that PTI founder has changed his stance. But, on the one side, PTI workers continue protest-rallies against the rigging in elections, while on the other, PTI has also filed cases in the courts in this respect—also about forms 45 and 47. However, it shows their ambivalent approach.
At this critical hour, Pakistan’s armed forces have been coping with internal and external challenges of grave nature in order to maintain the security of the country. In one way or the other, Indian fanatic rulers are also escalating tensions with Pakistan. In this context, the country is facing the challenge of hybrid war. Some internal entities have been distorting Army’s image in such a way that general masses should forget the sacrifices and services of the armed forces.
Recall armed forces’ innumerable services and sacrifices particularly of Army such as the resettlement of the Internally Displaced Persons during the Swat and Malakand military operations, counter-insurgency operations and restoration of law and order on many occasions—during catastrophic periods—floods, earthquakes, coronavirus pandemic, locusts’ attacks etc.—also giving matching response to Indian shelling at the Line of Control and to stop infiltration of terrorists inside Pakistan from Afghanistan.
At this critical moment, the new government-alliance and coalition of opposition parties, civil society bodies, media, armed forces a and all other segments of society must show selfless national unity, which is very essential to pull the country out of ongoing crises.
—The writer is senior politicial analyst, based in Lahore.
