The current political chaos won’t be priceless. It will cost the whole nation. Its imprints are laying down unprecedented consequences for Pakistan’s domestic political setup. Its heat is not limited to the political parties and their decisions; it is also defaming institutional hierarchy, including judiciary and establishment.
Institutions and concerned individuals are publically blamed for their undue involvement. However, the question is not who is behind who? Rather, who is going to save us?
Are the political parties offering any good to Pakistan’s main challenges and economic alarms? The answer is ‘no’. None of the political leadership is concerned about the gigantic financial debts and its expected fallouts on Pakistan’s economy. They are prioritizing their individual political interests vis-à-vis the broader national interest. Their political irrationality is thoughtless and directionless, though, the PML-N was well known for its experience and political prudence, but the current chaotic scenario has never been seen in the history of Pakistan.
On the ground, the PML-N is facing multiple serious challenges. Pakistan is cash-starved and its foreign exchange reserves are depleting fast amid rising external debt servicing. The incumbent government is in a difficult situation. First, it will have to pay $21 billion to the international creditors for external debt servicing during the next financial year. Second, the coalition setup lacks popular legitimacy, the mases are rejecting this galaxy of political leadership, and all the 13 parties need to understand that they don’t have any moral justified grounds to be in the government. Third, the incumbent coalition government and powerless hierarchy are not serving public’s apprehensions.
In most cases the coalition governments are establishments of oligarchic leadership rather than true representation of the people. Such governments mainly consist of leaders of coalition parties, to decide critical issues and prioritize individual interests over popular decisions. So far, it has been observed that PPP’s Asif Ali Zardari is playing the key role in politics alongside the unelected individuals, like Maryam Nawaz.
Lastly, it won’t be wrong to say that Punjab is burning on the hands of its political heirs. Punjab’s stability is one of the main requirements for a successful central government. But current Punjab’s picture is completely disfigured. In addition, the PML-Q’s Shujaat Hussain has surprisingly taken a U-turn in Punjab to add fuel to fire. His controversial letter has engaged all institutions in undue debate.
In most cases the coalition governments are establishments of oligarchic leadership rather than true representation of the people. Such governments mainly consist of leaders of coalition parties, to decide critical issues and prioritize individual interests over popular decisions.
The PML-N’s greed and Imran Khan’s stubbornness are equally contributing to the political instability in the country. They are not ready to compromise their narrative. Their tense rhetoric reveals their immature and juvenile rational. Imran Khan has successfully secured popular public support. His ouster has made the PTI more influential than before. On the other hand, Nawaz Sharif’s unpredicted return is casting a grave shadow on the political future of the PML-N.
However, the political leadership of Pakistan are ignoring the towering existential threats. The PML-N, PPP, PTI and PML-Q and other parties are least bothered about Pakistan’s financial crises. Such deep challenges may lead to energy and food security, inflation, poverty and unemployment, moreover, it may extend its unanticipated impact to other socio-cultural sectors of life.
Imran Khan is demanding general elections, and the PML-N’s inefficiency is proving his claim right. Though, general elections are the only escape for the PML-N (or PDM), but are they waiting for unknown reasons or are they confused because early elections may back Imran Khan’s popular support.
Thus, general elections provide the most suitable option or one of the most legitimate solutions for the current ongoing political emergency. The interim setup will defuse the political chaos, supported by technocrats and skilled front-runners, without any political backing or affiliation. Early elections will definitely calm down Imran Khan’s belligerence and the PML-N’s public ignominy.
Unfortunately, the people of Pakistan are paying a heavy price in terms of inflation, political instability, and institutional clashes. Pakistan must survive this mounting threat of economic existential warning. The political leadership must accept the responsibility and react rationally to the national crises. Accepting defeat at domestic or national forum for the sake of broader national interest and public welfare, certainly, will add grace to our political leadership and their respective parties. We are in dire need to think out of the box.
