Nadeem Khan
Growing rifts among the political parties and demand for early elections are causing political chaos in Pakistan. A bleak ray of hope for the dialogue almost seems to vanish towing the rigid political attitude. A leading political party is moaning for a share in power by using street protests despite dilapidated economic conditions. The so-called right to protest is being used as a tool to create chaos on streets; damage public and citizens’ belongings and property under the slogans of ‘rightful movement for independence.’ To cope with the situation, the government on the other hand is using strict media control measures to hamper the outspread of political narrative whereas, political parties have taken the show on other alternatives (social media, public gatherings) to promote their interests and agenda.
The increasing political divide is becoming a challenge for developing as well as developed countries. A recent study published by the New York Times and Siena College shows that there is a significant impact of the political divide on social relations, particularly among family members and peers in the USA. This was the case of the world’s exemplary democracy in the world. In the United States, according to the study around 20% of the respondents expressed their concern about communication issues with their family members and peer groups due to differences in political ideologies.
Now let’s consider the case of Pakistan which in its 75 years of history has faced numerous challenges to political stability including political unrest, divide created by politicians in the name of party ideologies and social disorientation and the manifestation of flawed political attitude. The grand alliance of multi-parties (as many as 13 against one) has widened the gap between the followers and the opposing forces. A lone political party is selling its agenda through slogans against corruption and compromised sovereignty with smooth sailing among its followers. This very attitude is causing a great division between the acolytes. Apart from that, political movements on the basis of religion, caste, creed and so-called superiority of one community group over the rest are also creating more political divide among constituents.
Pakistan’s existing political system is yet to harvest the true results of democracy as it has failed so far to translate trust among its citizens due to institutional interference throughout its history. It is evident that trust once lost cannot be reconstructed. The same is the case with the current scenario in Pakistan’s institutional and political landscape. Society seems significantly divided due to various factors, including transformation and access to information communication technologies, poor economic conditions, access to basic rights, and institutional inference.
With the growing access to the internet in all parts of Pakistan, the public/citizens feel the liberty to share and discuss their issues publicly which was never possible before. An excellent example of digital transformation and citizens’ awareness was the massive usage of the Citizens’ Portal/Application which was launched by PTI during its ruling time. This digital transformation not only led to providing opportunities to its citizens but also posed certain threats to the collective social development approach. Studies have shown that fake information travels much faster on digital platforms in comparison to correct and reliable information. Fake information has the power to rotten the very roots of governing and governance system and this situation would not suit any member of the society in either way. The digital medium is vulnerable as any such malicious campaign can be launched by any political party, individual, or by foreign elements, which resultantly may cause unrepairable loss to the country’s future.
Every single individual is aware of the alarming economic condition of the country which is worsening in every government tenure irrespective of any political or state apparatus. With a huge burden of debt, Pakistan cannot afford any political unrest anymore.
The next general elections are due in the next year but institutions such as the Election Commission of Pakistan and law enforcement agencies are not prepared enough to cope with these challenges. For free and fair general elections, it is a must to provide a level playing field to every political party not only in print, and electronic but also on social media. The misuse of the laws must be prevented and the responsibility lies on the interim setup to give this country a free, fair and transparent election. As the interim government has very limited time to plan and exercise its actions, the policymakers should come forward to initiate a dialogue among all stakeholders and discuss a risk mitigation plan to bar the way leading to political unrest in the country. These plans should not remain limited to fancy events only but must be exercised in letter and spirit otherwise the consequence would be hard to bear.
The dialogue among the stakeholders should not only be limited to the government agencies/bodies but may be extended to the experts, leading tech businesses, policymakers, academia and civil society. All stakeholders should deliberate on countering fake information and manage the organization of the information flow mechanisms in traditional and digital media.
The writer is digital media specialist associated with the Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Pakistan as a Lecturer of digital marketing.
