2023: Political landscape
Ishtiaq Ahmed
London (Part II): 2023 started with tumultuous political events, which unquestionably set the scene for the next 12 months. For example, on January 17, the Provincial Assembly of the Punjab was dissolved.
This also triggered the dissolution of provincial assemblies in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. These somewhat haphazard political ups and downs continue to plague and shackle the country’s progress towards political stability and its route to a sustainable democracy.
On May 9, Imran Khan, the former prime minister and chairman of the PTI, was arrested for the first time from inside the Islamabad High Court by the National Accountability Bureau on charges of corruption relating to the Al-Qadir Trust.
He was released on bail three days later, on May 12, by the same court, to be arrested again on August 5th, after which he was sentenced to three years in prison for illegally selling state gifts. This was later suspended by the High Court, which ordered his release.
But the authorities had no intention of releasing the former prime minister. His stay in prison was extended in a separate case alleging disclosure of state secrets. This case is currently in progress.
On August 10th, the National Assembly was dissolved by the President of Pakistan, and the next day, the Sind Provincial Assembly was also dissolved. On August 12th, the Provincial Assembly of Baluchistan was also dissolved, and on the same day, Anwaarul Haq Kakar was sworn in as the eighth Caretaker Prime Minister of the beleaguered Pakistan.
Read More: https://thepenpk.com/2023-pakistans-trials-tribulations/
It is clear that the leadership of the Pakistan Democratic Movement stepped back to prepare for the general elections without fear of their political ambitions being thwarted by Imran Khan and his disintegrated PTI.
With Imran Khan inside, the path was cleared for the former prime minister of Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif, to retune to his homeland after four years of self-imposed exile, now that the legal barriers to his participation in the election were also conveniently removed. However, with Imran Khan’s sustained public popularity and the loss of public trust in those vying for political power, it is uncertain how reality will play out on February 8.
It is, however, certain that the next government will inherit a derailed economy, declining currency, spiralling inflation, unemployment, grotesque levels of poverty, a shortage of food, broken public infrastructure, lawlessness, and a tug of war between politicians, courts, and the all-powerful military amidst the allegations of election rigging. The challenges ahead for the nation are huge.
However, the biggest of all challenges for the new government would be to restore public confidence in the political hierarchy and governance. There are two pre-requisites for this: the new civilian administration would have to show a high degree of independence from the control and manipulation of the military establishment. It cannot afford to have the image of being the proxy of the military.
Similarly, there is a strong perception or belief among the public that the country’s internal and external affairs are being guided by American interests.
This may or may not be true, but the public’s perception would be important to the new administration’s integrity at home and abroad. Hence, this perception would also require dismantling head-on.
Read More:https://asiasociety.org/education/pakistan-political-history
With all the political and other hurdles crudely and conveniently removed, the Election Commission of Pakistan has set February 8 for the country’s national elections. The political intricacies in Pakistan never cease to amaze. It truly is a “Game of Thrones,” with Pakistan’s political staged drama no less riveting.
The author is a British citizen of Pakistani origin with a keen interest in Pakistani and international affairs.
The article is the writer’s opinion, it may or may not adhere to the organization’s editorial policy.
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