ELECTIONS and the desired results (the musbat or positive kind) are absorbing all the oxygen in town. Every discussion in the capital (and its neighbouring areas) begins and ends with the possibility of elections and what they will bring, or be allowed to bring). But then Islamabad (aur us ke muzafaat) is known for missing the woods for the trees, for reasons too lengthy to be discussed here.
Pakistan faces three separate but linked crises: political, economic and security.
Political: The election cycle comes under the first crisis. Ceaseless political uncertainty has kept civilian governments from focusing on urgent governance issues. It doesn’t seem the coming elections will allow this crisis to be addressed anytime soon because everyone is convinced the results will produce a government more dependent on machinations than the people’s will. The past five years or more have shown the inability of such governments to function, let alone address long-standing economic problems.
Coupled with this is the problem that is the PTI. Regardless of who wins the election, parties, leaders and others will face the issue of when to ease the pressure on the party and its leadership and workers. Before the election or later, what will follow is not easy to assess. With a worsening economic situation, lack of consensus among stakeholders, and public support for the PTI can create an uncomfortable or explosive situation.
Imran Khan, if released, may also begin protests, as did the PDM once Nawaz Sharif was in London. Will the next government be such a........