The autumn of politics has arrived. A moment of respite was evident as the Islamabad High Court on Thursday deferred contempt proceedings against PTI chairman Imran Khan, as he exhibited in person his willingness to apologise. He was supposed to be indicted on Thursday before a five-member bench of the court for his diatribe against a sessions judge. The fact that Khan realised the gravity of the situation and bowed before the law hints at the bigger picture that the PTI is viewing by shunning unnecessary litigation against its leadership. While this has come at a time when a brawl seems to be round the corner, it is incumbent upon the government and the opposition to step back from speaking through the media, and strike a chord of empathy.
The former prime minister, nonetheless, is on the move, and is galvanising a march on the federal capital. Though he hasn’t spelt out his plan in totality, it is believed that the ensuing showdown will come with strategic consequences for the order of the day. The embattled coalition government is responding in the administrative sphere by buckling up its security gear, and the twin cities of Rawalpindi-Islamabad are on the receiving end. Apart from causing public inconvenience due to unnecessary blockades and deputing extraordinary police personnel, it has led to rumour-mongering and utter disgust. The point is that politics in Pakistan is on the edge, and is in need of a political solution rather than dragging its feet at the cost of anarchy and chaos.
The PTI chief is not alone who is contemplating to storm the federal capital. The Kissan (peasants’ community) also rallied in Islamabad in a sizable number on Wednesday to protest against inflation, and the problems that the agrarian community is facing. Last but not least, traders’ associations and lawyers are also mulling to join the drive to air their grievances, basically related to economic downturn and the curbs on fundamental rights introduced by the government. This has almost built a momentum of anti-government drive, and the PTI is at the vanguard to make the difference felt.
Stakeholders, it seems, too are out for a bargain and efforts are underway to lower the simmering tensions. The PTI’s demand for a fresh general election is in the spotlight, and a proper momentum has been duly built. Unfortunately, what is missing is the right forum to vent the differences and cajole down to a serious working equation. This is where politics in Pakistan is defeated as jingoism and petty considerations supersede national interests. The country is in a serious economic dilemma and the bleeding of the rupee on a daily basis has brought
to naught all kinds of reforms.
Moreover, slumping exports and depleting foreign exchange reserves once again push it to the verge of a financial default. It’s nothing else but the time to avoid brinkmanship from either side of the divide.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 23rd, 2022.
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