Pakistani political big-wigs camp in Dubai to discuss pre-election scenario for post-election monkey shares. Will 2023 be the election year remains the million dollar question for Pakistan, however, reports about persistence of deadlock appear between two major political power looms. At a time when Pakistanis were busy in celebrating sacrificial Eid, Pakistani politics remained under discussion for adjustments in foreign land. Former (thrice ousted) Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif and ex-President Asif Ali Zardari discussed multiple political issues other than any public oriented matter, the affairs under discussion were dissolution of assemblies, elections announcement, seat adjustments particularly in Punjab and charter of economy etc.
Reportedly, the scores couldn’t be settled and deadlock surfaced on power sharing mechanism, but both agreed for follow-up sessions to decide the complete apparatus to keep Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaaf out from politics. The apprehensive attitude reflects existence of PTI terror still looming over minds on powerful. At a time when PTI has almost been crushed to ashes but the political elites still feared of burn marks.
The other aspect of failure to settle the score in primary session may be pointed as multiple candidates for PM ship i.e. as whispered the ousted Nawaz Sharif keeps an innocent wish to be the PM for another term otherwise he has another intrinsic clandestine option for the same slot, however, Asif Ali Zardari, under the reported favoured nod of establishment, wants his legacy to be upgraded from foreign ministry to PM office. But the climax is yet to come, there remains another potential candidate who has built a team to run the State affairs amicably, also strengthen his lobby away from local borders while sitting in PM office, has better relations with establishment, as well. The race for PM-ship is in full swing by less-prioritising public agonies and sufferings that during last quarters of 2022, State data revealed 35% of its total population lives under national poverty level while the prices of edibles have increased by 20 to 31 percent comparing it with 22% till September 2021 and there seems no respite in sight for betterment.
As on 30th June, the world marked day of Parliamentarism, celebrated every year to strengthen Parliamentarian union, fortunate is not here in Pakistan at a time when the matters which need to be discussed in Parliament are done in deserts. Any transparent poll would reflect majority of nationals’ wish for independent and in time elections and the demand is as per constitution in any way. PPP also favours timely elections, however, stakes of other political parties hinder in democratic process. Talk about PML-N, the party is virtually governed by a convicted person who is neither President of the party nor resides within country. Escaping his conviction punishment on Rs50 stamp paper, governs every meeting on foreign lands to decide political future. One who was never acceptable to any Chief of his three tenures, has been granted to decide the political term for another time. The scenario can clearly transpire the public welfare ship in mind of the political elites, while recent bad optics of Senate Chairman to raise their benefits to upgrade multi-fold in current financial crisis and public’s downward financial capacities to manage their routine livelihood.
At a particular time when economic and political chaos has grape in the country, civ-mil establishments seem much worried for commencement of elections. History reveals both military and democratic rules have collectively failed the nation, the outcome is more than 6 million educated and skilled youth left the country, during last year, fearing bleak future, here. Yet, the thoughts of feudal lords also succeeded in keeping the masses under their rule and command as illiterate. The trend is not changed in such a most-modern era when our priority is still to rein in and wrapping up of political parties in a shuffling pattern. Once MQM was unacceptable, then it was PML-N and now PTI. The sessions during holly days of Hajj could attract attention of few in general public.
At one hand, the passing of Article 62(f) amendment of the Constitution, the sadiq-o-amin clause from life to five years, and on the other hand the imposition of Rs 415 billion new tax in federal budget 2023-24 in the guise to lock IMF tranche, reflects the priorities of the coalition government. May be PDM wants PML-N supermo back in the country as mutual understanding and power sharing formula with other stake holders including Istehkam-i-Pakistan party, the concerns turns much tricky to settle though public grievances would remain unnoticed and un-changed. Country faces unemployment rate ranging to 6.40 percent during 2023 and projected 8.50 percent in 2024. Job creation doesn’t seem priority of the sitting government as major industries in Pakistan have been on track to pack up and shift somewhere business friendly atmosphere.
What is the conclusion to the situation? Problems being faced by Pakistan should be dealt with in Parliament, only. The establishment must, once for all, leave political parties to settle the scores independently without any pressure. The making or breaking of political parties would never let country to rise and grow upwards. The dictation and pick and choose strategy has ruined the country politics. In true sense, Pakistan being a true democratic state cannot be termed as the democratic state for past experiences. So, trimming it short, if Parliament is supreme then it should be proved by actions not statements.
