PTI's pushback

The PTI is in a pushback mode. It has taken a decision out of urgency to boycott the upcoming by-polls. The rationale behind it is to make a point that the party is being discriminated against, as its sitting legislators have been "disqualified" and shunted out of the parliament on the premise of controversial decisions from the courts of law. The decision to stay out of by-polls was the brainchild of incarcerated former PM Imran Khan, and that was made to sail in the party despite severe reservations from a majority who wanted to be part of the electoral contest in all democratic spirit. The convincing piece of argument, however, was that the government and the Election Commission would not let the PTI candidates surpass the winning mark.

The beleaguered PTI, nonetheless, is a ship of diverse opinions. The infighting within the party is for all to see, and it seems opportunists are at the helm, and many of them have mustered the courage to act in defiance against its jailed patron, Imran Khan. The communication gap between the Adiala Jail incumbent and the party supporters is now squarely evident, and the party legislators have almost lost the confidence of their constituents by virtue of their oblivious attitude towards the party and the constituents themselves.

Thus the decision to boycott polls and resign from the standing committees of the parliament is a step towards reinvigorating the rank and file of a party in a shambles, and to pose renewed challenges to the hybrid system in vogue. The absence of a credible opposition from the electoral contest would also render the polls a sham, and put pressure on the government to talk things out. With political instability soaring to new heights with each passing day, the onus is on the ruling coalition to engage with the PTI and address its genuine grievances. Release of political prisoners, including Khan himself, judiciously conducting the trial process against 'convicted' workers, and striking a new consensus on politics of future is the way to go.