Does Political Instability Affect Pak’s Economy?

Asem Mustafa Awan

Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has expressed his desire for economic sustainability in the budget meeting of Punjab as providing cheap energy, economic development, and relief to people are important.
He termed the purchase of crude oil from Russia part of the energy policy while Prime Minister was expressing his desire to lead the economy towards self-reliance, resolutions were passed in the Senate and National Assembly for military courts formation against those involved in the May 9 events.

Defense Minister Khawaja Asif moved the resolution in the National Assembly that proceedings regarding attacks on military installations in the world are conducted only in military courts.  Maulana Chitrali, another member of the National Assembly, presented a different view asking whether the government and the judiciary have failed that the resolution is being tabled for trials in military courts.

The events of May 9 are regrettable and condemnable in the sense that PTI did not stop the attempt to turn the political agitation against the state institutions in time.
After the arrest of the PTI chairman, the protestors involved in burning the Corp Commander’s residence should be charged with solid evidence with relevant laws.
Corps commander meeting a few days ago also had the same agenda that is endorsed by the public and government but the hitch is a few handful individuals would have been involved in the incident but over seven thousand political workers including women activists have been behind bars.
These people are targeted by the government for creating ‘fear’ besides revenge. The truth of the matter is that it has backfired and establishment and government are targeted internationally on gross human rights violation that is creating further discord.
Political disputes and conflicts in Pakistan have now reached a level where there is very little room for solutions as democratic institutions apparently failed on one pretext or another.
The last notable act of the Parliament was the strategy adopted during PTI’s sit-in in 2014 which was followed by the announcement of resignations from the Parliament but the then Speaker Ayaz Sadiq prevented the resignations. A negotiation committee was formed and the PTI returned to the Parliament. The reaction of the ruling party PML-N and JUI on PTI’s return was inadequate but PPPP showed political acumen.
The incumbent political crisis is swallowing Pakistan’s economy. The government is not willing to negotiate with the PTI as it believes PTI is done for but lacks the realization that there are 220 million who form the public and their opinion matters.
PTI in its approach exposed the corruption of other political leaders during its time and now is faced with the same dilemma as they are not given the space from the ones who form the government.
The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court has time and again stressed that it is everyone’s responsibility to uplift the country. The economic independence that the prime minister aspires for is only possible if there is political stability in the country. It is a fact that no significant steps have been witnessed by the government in ensuring political stability but whims rule while dreams can wait.

The writer is a journalist based in Islamabad and writes on a wide range of issues.