PTI’s election success in Punjab: What does it mean?
Ishtiaq Ahmed
In the current round of elections, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has achieved an upper hand against the makeshift alliance government led by Shehbaz Sharif of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).
Out of 20 seats being contested in the by-elections for the Punjab Assembly, PTI is reported to have won 15. The outcome of the current elections is quite decisive in the favour of the PTI.
The 20 seats being contested include PP-7 Rawalpindi, PP-83 Khushab, PP-90 Bhakkar, PP-97 Faisalabad; PP-125, PP-127 Jhang, PP-140 Sheikhupura, PP-158, 167,168,170 Lahore; PP-167, Lahore, PP-202 Sahiwal; PP-217 Multan, PP-224 Lodhran, PP-228 Lodhran, PP-237 Bahawalnagar, PP-272,273 Muzaffargarh, PP-282 Layyah, and PP-288 Dera Ghazi Khan.
A total of 4.57 million registered voters, including 2.46 million women, were eligible to cast ballot in the by-polls.
It is apparent that the outcome of the by-elections is influenced by a combination of factors, foremost, the public seems to be incensed by the way the Alliance sneaked into the government and it’s inability to reverse the spiraling costs of living that it promised to do.
In fact, the cost of some essential commodities has doubled and trebled since the Alliance took charge of the country’s economy a few months back.
The outcome of elections also proves that powerful political forces can manipulate institutions to achieve their objectives but the final say is always with the general voters. The label of ‘imported government’ on the alliance government also seems to have resonated with the electorates.
Will the political leadership learn anything from the tumultuous events of recent months? This indeed begs the answer.
The country should very quickly move towards the national elections but would the incumbent government politicians be brave enough to risk this.
This also begs the answer.
The by-elections in Punjab have clearly demonstrated the unpopularity of the present make-shift alliance government led by Shehbaz Sharif.
The right thing would now be to quickly move to the national elections. But the Alliance government sensing its unpopularity thus far has been reluctant to go to the electorates. The fear is that the outcome of the elections in Punjab may further exarcebate their fears. The outcome in Punjab is disastrous particularly for Muslim League-N which has always relied on its vote bank here.
“The throne of Punjab has been won by the PTI. Imran Khan’s narrative has worked . And the establishment has remained neutral in the running of these by-elections in Punjab. It is clear now that his narrative is increasingly being embraced by the people and PTI seems to be on the course to win the next general elections and form the government. Imran Khan has successfully followed the politics of populism. His narrative has several similarities with the politics of Trump and Modi which catches and attracts more the imagination of majority particularly in those countries where political system is corrupt and rotten.
Pakistani people, 4 years ago, were also enthusiastic to expect real change and derive benefits from new government and the slogan of new Pakistan which they believed will turn the country into a little more prosperity. Also they hoped to rid of corrupt politicians and the system that encouraged mismanagement and corruption.
But in four years the PTI government failed to deliver its promises. No one accused of sleaze and corruption was convicted and put behind the bar. The economy declined to the level of potential bankruptcy of the country. On the whole the government became dependent on the whims of the establishment.
However, the country now needs a fresh start with
fresh ideas free from interference of the establishment and taking all the stakeholders on board. Imran Khan must free himself from his egoism and self-opinionatedness and making false promises to the nation. Also empty rhetoric fraught with too many contradictions and politically and emotionally charged language and utterances should be shunned and avoided.
The most difficult issue facing the country is the worst state of economy. The rapid fall in the value of rupee is bound to escalate inflation which will push the poor to suffer more hunger and starvation. Democracy is not only about to win elections. It is about how the life of the electorate is improved and their dignity, self respect and freedoms are protected and equality and justice in society ensured.
Also the universal truth is that if any individual, group or nation is weak and poor can not expect to be politically independent and neutral. Economic independence always follows political independence.
Finally the position of the incumbent government of Alliance has now undoubtedly become untenable. It has no moral legs to continue. It should declare general elections as soon practicable.
But this should not be taken for granted that this option when implemented will act as
the panacea for all political wranglings and economic mess”.
Mohammed Ajeeb CBE, Bradford, U.K.
IK needs to build on this momentum.
A most definite outcome for PTI in Punjab. However, the celebrations must stop to be replaced for some serious thinking . The country needs well thought out forward planning matched by implementation and delivery which seems to be in short supply. The fact remains that PTI has achieved an upper hand in Punjab but the Alliance remains in control at the centre in Islamabad. There is nothing to suggest thus that PTI and the Alliance will be able to put their entrenched differences aside for the good of the nation. Sadly, it seems that incriminations and the counter incriminations will continue . This would be most unfortunate.