Chaos or Coherence?

That may create even greater chaos, which shall pave the way for an early general elections in Pakistan, making the jubilations by the power sharing parties short-lived despite their desire to survive for more than a year. However, the main onus of overthrowing Imran Khan rests with PML-N, and therefore, immediate attempts have been unleashed for character tarnishing in well-funded print, electronic and social media and through threats of untenable cases against Imran Khan. Nevertheless, it can safely be presumed that any misstep to further corner PTI by manipulating a case like ‘foreign funding’ or suppression by coercive tools is prone to add more fuel to the political fire, which may turn the peaceful protests into mass agitation that may not remain nonviolent. Such an undesirable state of affairs may induce detrimental military involvement, the history is already finding itself in the most unenviable position; firstly for being kept under the hammer of derogatory accusations by PDM for bringing Imran Khan’s “selected government”; and now conversely being targeted by PTI supporters for facilitating takeover by an “imported government”. A real catch-22 situation for the establishment with serious ramifications. In this age of information, disinformation warfare is a lethal tool that has been cleverly conflated by the enemies of Pakistan to target the center of gravity i.e. the Pakistan Army. Obviously, only positive actions as per the real public pulse can defeat that negativity rather than words or any misplaced domestic counter measures. It is heartening to hear Imran Khan’s statement on 20th April, 2022, “Pakistan Army is more important for Pakistan than Imran Khan”.

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” - George Orwell

PTI’s star performance in galvanizing public support all over the world in Pakistani Diasporas as well as millions of supporters vociferously appearing in PTI’s processions in Islamabad, Peshawar and Lahore seeking early elections coincides with PDM’s demand before they succeeded in replacing Imran Khan. Although, the new government will now try its best to delay the earlier asked for general elections, in order to put in place typical politicized facilitators, quick delivery on near completion projects by the ousted government to take credit; yet the chaotic political environment may not allow that to happen.

It needs no emphasis that in the given political impasse fraught with complete chaos in the country, a free and fair elections on EVMs under a new apolitical Election Commission in coming 3 to 4 months may be the only attractive option with the NSC, superior judiciary, civil administration and the omnipresent establishment. Only that can help restore the much tainted image of the institutions being incalculably assaulted on social media instead of witch hunting PTI supporters. The incumbent government, all law enforcing institutions and intelligence agencies need to blunt any element of foreign interference rather than pushing it under the carpet; and remain vigilant to the threat that Pakistan’s national coherence depends a lot on wading through the current political commotion by avoiding any black swan incident and God forbid another Liaquat Ali Khan, Z.A. Bhutto, General Zia or Benazir jiffy. Needless to say, this country cannot afford another Dhaka moment.

Most well-informed Pakistani people both at home and abroad, have come to believe that Imran Khan alone has created a legacy of resistance and defiance against the powers that be, whether local or international; this is amply substantiated by the massive super-charged public support that PTI is getting. What remains to be seen in the near future is, how this mass perception will impact the future course of action in Pakistani politics. Will this popular opinion have a make-or-break impact on general elections? The indicators are obvious that minus any treacherous maneuvers by officialdom, the current situation is ripe for enabling PTI to get a clear majority in the next general elections, provided PTI could apply the lessons learnt from the last elections and the cut-short governance period. If that happened, one could expect to see a much stronger, politically more mature and wiser Imran Khan. It is expected that the expelled PTI will make use of the time available to form fresh indigenous party candidates’ lists for the elections and a capable and experienced shadow cabinet, besides mending the fences with domestic and foreign powers; a reality that can’t be wished away.

Providence has provided Pakistan with a chance where all conflicting political parties and smaller actors stand as one coalition party in the government and PTI alone as a strong opposition party. What Pakistan needs serious electoral reforms free from blackmailers and turncoats and a political system, integrated into two main political parties. That will ensure better governance and smooth political transition whenever necessitated. Such a balanced political system, if put in place with complete sincerity, honesty and transparency, will usher in national growth and eliminate foreign interference potential. It is hoped that a strong political system shall also constitutionally redefine limits of the functioning of the Judiciary, the Parliament, the Establishment, the Administration and media as observed in all developed countries. For that, the NSC and all concerned national institutions can make an everlasting positive contribution.