Mercury politics

PTI’s winning streak continued as it returned successful in the NA-245 by-election in Karachi. This symbolic achievement as PTI legislators’ en bloc stand resigned from the National Assembly is meant for flexing of muscles, though. But what made the ballot bizarre is its lowest turnout on Sunday. A little more than 11 per cent of the electorate went to the polls, and the hype was confined to PTI supporters. The MQM-P failed to make an impact and was seen struggling to woo its voters, as well as to bring them to the polling booths. The startling difference with which the MQM-P candidate lost to the PTI incumbent is a case study in itself as to how the pattern of voting behaviour and psychology of Karachiites is undergoing a change. The only positive aspect as the vote was cast was its peaceful culmination, unlike the scary scenes witnessed in June.

The political mercury, however, was at its zenith as Islamabad Police was served with arrest warrants of Imran Khan. This led to countrywide late night protests and Khan’s residence at Bani Gala was surrounded by supporters, and a clash was almost a cuff away. The former prime minister has been booked under Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act for his alleged threatening remarks against government officials at a public rally. It is, nonetheless, a good omen that serenity prevailed and the controversy was addressed by the court of law by granting Khan pre-arrest bail. Even though the intensity has subsided, it remains to be seen what follow-up stand-down efforts are undertaken.

Needless to mention, the federal government and the PTI are at draggers drawn with each other, and this is proving to be suicidal. It is unfortunate that a middle ground is not being worked out nor is the situation heading towards a reasonable outcome. This is politics of brinkmanship which is, sadly, plunging the country into more instability. It is also testing the resilience of the nation that is fed up with over-pedalling in politics. The crackdown on media and curbing of fundamental rights on the part of the coalition government is proving to be detrimental in the long run. It seems political discord is literally being graduated and being turned into a conflict of interests among state institutions. This has to be avoided at any cost and a conducive environment created to manage the perplexity at work.

The country is home to devastating monsoon floods and the provinces of Balochistan and Sindh are in shabby condition. People are longing for two square meals as their belongings are swept away. This is why petty politics should take a back seat and all the organs of the state and respective provincial dispensations should focus on rehabilitation episodes. The thaw that will then set in will bring the mercury down as monsoons give way to wintry winds.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 23^rd, 2022.

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