Pakistan: A political melting pot?
Pakistan’s political stability is in the melting pot. The political temperature is at its boiling point with recriminations and counter-recriminations from the government and opposition both.
Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid has stated that the next 48 hours are critically important for the country. The situation has become more tense with the resignation of CM Punjab Usman Buzdar, a key ally of Imran Khan. It is being suggested [and perhaps not without some reasons] that Buzdar has stepped down in favour of Pervez Elahi as part of a recent deal with the PML-Q to secure the party’s support for PM Imran against the ‘no-confidence motion’.
As a counter move, Hamza Shabaz’s name is being floated for the chief minister’s position in Punjab, but he is not considered to be a strong candidate against Pervez Elahi, a seasoned politician with first hand experience of excelling in such situations. Humza would need 20 votes of Jahangir Tarin group‘s as well as four independents to be competitive.
Shabaz Sharif, the president of PML-N, maintains that Imran Khan’s defeat is “imminent” in the vote of no-confidence.
Meanwhile, Imran Khan has already expressed fears about the plot to assassinate him. He has alleged that certain foreign powers are involved in conspiracy with the opposition to oust him from power.
Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry, in his tweet today, also mentioned that “security agencies have reported that a plan to assassinate PM Imran Khan has surfaced. After these reports, the security of the prime minister has been beefed up as per the government’s decision,”
Following disclosures and developments, the political situation in the country is increasingly becoming murky and tense. Both sides are becoming bolder in their incriminations of each other. The principles of ‘political decency and dignity’ in any form of political discourse is being put aside.
The political culture of the country at the present is highly toxic. Its unsavoury repercussions will be felt for a long time, which does not bode well for the country.
The opinions amongst the overseas Pakistanis are extremely polarized. However, there are some clarity and consensus emerging around a number of key points:
- The country is ill-placed for a major political upheaval
- The political wrangling, recriminations and lack of political propriety in the discourse is seriously damaging the political integrity of the country abroad.
- The vote of no-confidence will push the nation into a further political and economic abyss. Even if this succeeds, there is no consensus on how the political protagonists will align themselves post vote of no-confidence. there is also no credible alternative being put forward for the resolution of the political, economic and social challenges ahead.
- The present government should run its course until the next general elections or pave the way for moving the elections forward to let the people decide at the ballot box.
There is a heightened degree of anxiety and anger about the suggestion that a foreign power may be in bed with the opposition to oust Imran Khan. Also, the claimed threat of a plot to assassinate the PM is an extremely worrying development, given the events of the recent past, and if there is any truth in this, it should be categorically condemned by all concerned.
Whilst all this is going on, the public is left confused, divided and totally dismayed with the political culture that is being instituted.
The writer is a British citizen of Pakistani origin with keen interest in the Pakistani and international affairs.
The developing political situation in Pakistan is extremely worrying. Things are moving forward quickly following the rejection of the ‘ no confidence motion’ by the speaker of the house and the decision to dissolve the assembly to move forward to the national elections.
The it is being reported that the decision to dissolve the National Assembly was on the advise of the President at the request of the Prime Minister.
This has left the opposition forces bewildered and angry. A petition is being prepared for the Supreme Court challenging the speaker’s decision to reject the motion of no confidence and dissolve the National Assembly.
Along with these ongoings, the governor of Punjab Mohammed Sawar has been suddenly removed under very suspicious circumstances from his office and is being replaced.
The political situation is becoming increasingly tense and volatile. Confusion reigns.
Whatever the pros and cons of the current situation involving political and legal wrangling, the ultimate arbitrator in this sordid political developments has to be the Pakistani public which should given the opportunity to give its verdict at the ballot box.