Given the state of Pakistan’s economy, its internal security challenges and potential for greater civil unrest, it is important for all the stakeholders to take a step back.
Even by the low standards of Pakistan’s democracy, the government’s move to ban the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) and bring charges of treason against former prime minister Imran Khan and other leaders strikes a jarring note. It neither serves public interest nor can it be read as a strategy to consolidate power. It only shows disrespect for a democratic mandate and for the country’s judiciary. Given the state of Pakistan’s economy, its internal security challenges and potential for greater civil unrest, it is important for all the stakeholders to take a step back.
The ruling coalition in Islamabad — made largely of the PML(N) and PPP — came to power in February under a cloud. The Election Commission of Pakistan had denied the PTI its election symbol just over a month before voting and Khan, convicted and jailed under corruption charges, was unable to contest. The PML(N) was widely seen as enjoying the backing of the Army. Despite the system being apparently rigged against it, PTI-backed independents emerged as the single-largest bloc in the National Assembly (NA). Instead of making an effort to burnish its credibility, the government seems to be headed the other way. The announcement of its intent to ban PTI came less than a week after the country’s supreme court recognised the party — it can now nominate minority and women members, which it could not do when its legislators were technically “independents”.
Overruling democratic mandates has been normalised in Pakistan. Critics of Khan and the PTI may also point to the party’s courting of extremists. But the current moment has more complications: First, Pakistan’s economy is in its worst-ever state, dependent on bailouts by agencies like the IMF. “Reforms” and “stability” are among the conditions for such aid — and political uncertainty make going ahead with them all but impossible. Second, while the Army’s support continues to be essential for any government, its sheen has worn off in no small part due to the attacks by the PTI. Finally, there are murmurs within the ruling coalition that a ban on the PTI might be a step too far. The political class in Pakistan, including the PTI leadership, must remember that it is only through the political process that the country can hope to climb back from the abyss.
