In the eye of a political storm federal and provincial governments have completed the first quarter. Brainstorming for the budget has started in ruling benches as meeting the expectations of the public remains the foremost priority in the given situation.
The economic burden on the masses is unprecedented and its realization prevails in the minds of ruling parties as evident from numerous public statements. It is time for the government to move beyond mere recognition of public suffering. Ironically, the requisite national consensus on the issue of economic stability is still missing due to unresolved political discord. Pre-election political chaos badly damaged the confidence of foreign investors in the Pakistani market.
Elections were conducted under a highly charged political environment. Though, governments have started functioning but fog of uncertainty still persists. Definitely, it is a tough challenge for the political parties especially those who managed to form the government.
Post-election scenario merits careful stepping on the bumpy path. There are enormous opportunities, tough challenges, a turbulent internal front, hazardous regional developments, and a vacuum of good governance. It is a test for the political class which often opts to play more on the creation of optics instead of deliverance.
Post-Election Scenario;
Successful completion of the election phase and subsequent formation of governments have largely mitigated the political chaos. However, ideal political calm is still missing due to brewing discord between the government and the opposition. It is encouraging that PTI-SIC is now very much part of the parliament with its government in complete charge of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The presence of political groups in assemblies keeps the doors of political reconciliation open. While making the right moves in economic domains, governments of PMLN in the center and Punjab have wasted a lot of energy in responding to the verbal cannoned of opposition in the same coin.
Ripples triggered by top appointments and shuffling in the cabinet were speculatively viewed as signs of infighting in PMLN. This bitter tendency of political culture should not hinder the government from good governance. Sensation stirred by marathon-style media reporting of judicial matters is apparently confusing more than informing the audience.
Institutional boundaries laid down in the constitution should be followed for the larger good of the state. Politicized maneuvering on the shoulders of the judiciary and all state institutions is the worst form of exploitation. After taking an oath on constitutional supremacy in the parliament, political stakeholders should avoid maneuvers contradictory to their oath. Surging terrorism, growing lawlessness of dacoit groups in Kaccha areas, and upward crime rate in big cities are reflections of traditional inefficiency.
Opposition’s Dilemma;
PTI is leading the assault of opposition in parliament and on the streets. Consequent to political blunders, the party is active in the parliament holding the flag of SIC. After losing the election symbol, it formed a government in KP and managed to bag an encouraging number of seats in Punjab as well as National assemblies.
A newly born opposition alliance namely Tehreek e Tahafuz –e Aaaeen e Pakistan (TTAP) formed by PTI, has not yet made any noticeable mark except for usual media ripples. Other than fielding the populist rhetoric and usual blame game, the leadership of PTI has not yet played any constructive role in parliament. Internal rifts in the party are not secrets anymore. With the dramatic arrival of strangers in top party slots, pioneer workers of the PTI are not very happy. The credibility and professional integrity of legal wizards are also under criticism. As a whole, a prolonged confrontational strategy of the imprisoned founding chairman has become an unmanageable political burden for second-tier leadership. The constructive role of PTI-SIC on national issues can play a vital role in stabilizing Pakistan and reducing political tensions.
Way Forward – Pursuance of National Objectives;
Economic stability must be placed at the top of the action list. The government should not hesitate to engage the saner quarters of opposition to formalize the idea of the charter of the economy.
The Policy of zero tolerance against terrorism should be reflected in every action. Unfilled gaps in the functioning of NACTA and rehashing of national counter-terrorism policy merit an expeditious response. Attacks on strategic projects including foreign nationals and repeated killings of Punjab-based citizens in Baluchistan are part of a larger sabotage plan. The matter of India-sponsored cross-border terrorism must be raised at all relevant forums.
Governance and transparency cannot be left only to verbal claims. Accusations of opposition can only be countered with performance on the ground. Flashing unrest in farmers over wheat import scams should be addressed swiftly with solid measures.
Unresolved political disputes with the opposition must be handled with skillful negotiations. Restoration of the working political relationship between government and opposition would end the fog of chaos. The government should make every possible maneuver to reduce the tensions between state institutions. The widening gulf among institutions leads to the weakening of the state.
Relations with India and Afghanistan are quite complicated. Sensitivity attached to the issues of Kashmir, cross-border terrorism, banned TTP, repatriation of illegal immigrants and involvement of Indian state actors in anti-Pakistan criminal acts merits a flawless response. Consensus-based policy should be adopted on these issues to safeguard the national security objectives.
