Inclusive Governance Key to Federal Stability: Experts

News Desk

Islamabad: People from various backgrounds have emphasised the need for the establishment of inclusive and collaborative political governance to shape future development discourse in the absence of a clear majority at the federal level.

They particularly advocate for affording a fair opportunity to independents supported by the majority of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to contribute to the decision-making process. Moreover, they recommend that major parties in the provinces involve other political entities to ensure inclusive democratic stability.

These views were expressed by the concerned citizens and experts at a webinar on “Pakistan’s Elections 2024: Emerging Scenarios and Future Challenges,” organised by Devcom-Pakistan (Development Communications Network) and DTN.

The participants said the majority of independent votes reflect that the public has rejected political engineering and the establishment’s fiddling in the political process.

They also questioned the Election Commission of Pakistan’s capacity to tabulate and announce the election results on time.

Contrarily, the bit-by-bit announcement of results by the TV channels has created doubts about the tabulation process, cast delusions, and confusion.

The internationally recognized standard process for the election results tabulation and announcements shall be adopted in future elections.

Former Senator Farhatullah Babar envisaged no role for establishment in Pakistan’s future political scenario. They should understand that the public’s political awareness has increased, and now political engineering and manoeuvring would create extreme situations.

In the emerging scenario, only inclusive alliances in parliament would deliver results, he explained.

The split mandate and populous politics may harm the democratic process if rigidity reigns. Only stronger institutions within their mandate can control populism. He urged all the stakeholders to respect everyone’s vote, the former Senator maintained.

Zafarullah Khan, a constitutional expert, said our political system is governed by many confusions and illusions. We need to sort it out for clarity of perceptions and practices. The present situation reflects that the public has rejected the role of the establishment and its undue fiddling in the political process. Secondly, we shall accept the mandate given to the candidates, and their role in the future discourse shall not be diminished.

No party would be able to form its government independently. So, once again, the split mandate would leave only the option of alliances. February 22 is the deadline for the Election Commission to notify the winning candidates, while February 29 is the deadline to convene the first session of the new National Assembly, the constitutional expert added.

He urged the need for dialogue in politics while appreciating the direct vote of 12 women from different constituencies. He said digital poverty existed in Pakistan, and we gradually need to move to the use of technology in the election process.

Devcom-Pakistan Centre for Geopolitical Studies Executive Director Munir Ahmed urged civil society to play a supportive role to strengthen the political process beyond their political affiliations. It’s time to think beyond vested interests and political conflicts.

“We should keep raising our voices for inclusive parliamentary practices and a development agenda,” Munir maintained.

Dr Zainab Ahmed, an Associate Professor of International Relations at Lahore Garrison University, highlighted the role of women in the election process, right from the campaigns to the voters’ mobilisation.

With the present election and turnout, the electoral process is further strengthened because of the participation of youth and women. The institutions shall remain within their mandate, and civil society shall play a role in supporting the new political government, Dr Zainab added.

Associate Professor of Political Science at Kinnaired College for Women, Dr Khushboo Ejaz, commended the participation of youth and lawyers and urged them to play their positive role.

Dr Khushboo said narrative building has become very important in election campaigns. It would be a decisive element in the future as well. Now the establishment has to take into consideration the public opinion that their role in politics is no longer wanted.