Public sufferings are hard to deny now- a- day. Political instability has remained at the heart of current economic deterioration. It is time to ponder that why our leading political stakeholders repeatedly fail in fulfilling the attractive promises? Despite continuity of the democratic process, why major issues remain unresolved? Element of absurdity always spoils the overall optics of every event which takes place under the umbrella of constitution and law.
We can take the example of present national assembly which is about to accomplish its tenure with in few weeks. Two different regimes ruled the country in these five years without leaving any positive memories for their voters. Rhetorical battles were fought with an aim to restrict the focus of respective followers on the follies of political rivals. Immediately after 2018 elections, opposition parties jointly discredited PTI victory with allegations of election rigging. After VONC in 2021, PTI started over-playing the same mantra with a little different tunes. Besides discrediting the authenticity of electoral process, rival camps has been consistently blaming each other for corruption, political victimization and undue judicial concessions. Demons of this distractive politics are now haunting the country in the form of inflation, declining foreign reserves, unemployment and multi-layered chaos. Troubles in securing the IMF stand-by deal must be taken as eye-opener episode for much needed critical introspection.
What are faults in our stars?
First, hollow commitment of leadership with democracy is a major flaw in prevailing political culture. Major parties lack a proper system to groom a worker for future leadership role. Two senior parties, PPP and PMLN, are firmly glued to founding families in a manner that none of the non-family member can even think of a leading role. Comparatively latest party, the PTI, is locked on its chairman so irreconcilably that even a word of dissent from leader becomes an act of treason.
Second, partial allegiance to constitution is detrimental to institutionalized stability. Constitution is not all about casting a vote on a specified day once in five years. Denial of constitutional bindings related to welfare, fundamental rights and safety of citizens is the root cause of prevailing disorder.
Third, disbelief in rule of law has destroyed the societal foundations like a rapidly spreading turmoil. None of the looser party has ever accepted electoral defeat in recent past history. Non-acceptance of rule based governance subsequently pushes the whole system towards a futile tug of war. Essential parts of democracy, opposition and ruling regime, lock horns to ditch each other with no benefit of public in sight.
Fourth, obsession to financial corruption is running like cancerous blood in the body of state. This game starts with the excessive expenditures in election campaign. Winner is naturally expected to focus more on recovery of expenditures leaving the legislation part to the few good one.
Fifth, disinterest of political leadership in policy formulation has sown the seeds of inability and incompetence in entire system. Every donor institute and well-wisher country is insisting for much needed structural economic reforms. Prolonged inaction on this sensitive issue is actually an undeniable proof of elite incompetence.
Sixth, tendency of dragging establishment in political controversies has always complicated the issues on internal and external fronts. Political leadership lacks requisite intent vis-à-vis maturity to balance out the civil – military equation.
Seventh, deceptive verbosity, over exaggerated allegations, false narratives and lofty claims of political leaders have snatched every bit of sensibility from their followers. Blind criticism on rivals has substituted intellectual political discourse. Worst fall outs of this tendency are now visible on social media platforms where fake news or disinformation seems dominating the truth. Alarming polarization is also the by-product of nonsensical political demagoguery of top tier party leaders.
Way forward
One, democracy is all about inclusivity, therefore, existing autocracy in form of hereditary or cult politics is no more relevant. All parties should open their chambers for the emerging youth.
Two, welfare of citizens laid out in the constitution should be the center point of state policies.
Three, rule of law can only be restored by starting the process from power corridors. Institutional boundaries demarcated by the constitution should not be altered at any cost.
Four, Zero tolerance to financial corruption and unbiased accountability is the only route to reach the desired destination.
Five, political parties should induct professional experts in their ranks for policy formulation to put the country back on the track of revival by implementing the much needed structural reforms.
Six, instead of dragging the establishment, political leadership should focus more on fair play in political arena to run the state affairs as per constitutional order.
Seven, Truth is the best policy for a leader to keep the political discourse in limits of decency and logic. Country, under existing complex geo-political environment, cannot afford misplaced revolutionary adventurism. Our leader’s cadre should develop a minimum essential consensus to stabilize and normalize the country by refraining from the politics of hatred.
Conclusion
Despite facing serious challenges, Pakistan is, by all means, well equipped to rise with full force. Winning combination is missing at the moment. That doesn’t mean absolute inability rather it is sign of either unawareness or priority disorder. Any ways, disappointment is not the solution. We know the nature of faults in our political stars. Nation is in extreme distress and equally charged to alter the course by finding the exact winning combination. Pakistan is destined to rise and revive the spirit of independence,
