With Pakistan reeling from unprecedented inflation and rising cost of living, the ongoing standoff between the coalition government led by Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) and the major opposition party, the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) over the issue of next general elections calls for serious thinking on part of the political leadership to strike a consensus and steer the country out of the economic vortex.
Both sides need to better respect the law and the constitutional process if they want to overcome the multi-faceted crises facing the country. Attacks on the state’s institutions or using them for political gains or victimization will have dire consequences for the political leadership and the nation alike.
The political instability which has plagued the country for years now has impacted the economy to the extent that the Pakistani rupee has nosedived against the American dollar in recent months. This has had a detrimental effect on the country’s development and has led to widespread disillusionment among the population.
One of the key factors contributing to the political impasse in the country is the lack of strong democratic traditions. This has resulted in a political culture that is dominated by personal interests and short-term thinking, rather than the long-term interests of the country.
Another factor that has contributed to the political impasse is the polarization among the political leadership, which has resulted in a lack of cooperation and consensus-building that is considered a lifeline for a functioning democracy.
To overcome the political stalemate, several steps need to be taken. Firstly, there needs to be a concerted effort to strengthen democratic institutions and norms. This will require a long-term commitment from all political parties to work towards the common goal of strengthening democracy in the country.
Secondly, there needs to be a greater emphasis on consensus-building and cooperation among political parties. This requires political parties to put aside their personal interests and work towards the common good of the country.
Let’s hope that whatever happens, it should not have any adverse effect on the country’s political arena because the skyrocketing inflation has already made the life of common men more miserable.
It is imperative for all the parties to sign a charter of the economy so that economic conditions could be improved. The current political impasse is a complex issue that requires a holistic approach to address. While there are no easy solutions, a commitment to strengthening democracy, promoting consensus-building and reforming institutions can go a long way in overcoming this impasse and setting the country on a path towards a more stable and prosperous future.
