Umme Haniya<\/p>\n
As the country grapples with economic challenges and political turmoil, the recent actions of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government continue to raise eyebrows. It takes an unbelievable degree of self-delusion to trample national interests in the name of petty vendettas.
\nThe decision to bypass Islamabad and seek assistance from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and Washington on repeated occasions, from budgetary allocations to seeking support from the system, has left many questioning the motives behind such a move.
\nBut to think again, the answer, like always, lies in the mindset of the PTI. The party has consistently shown a lack of faith in the country\u2019s institutions. From the judicial system to the political opposition, the PTI has been vocal about its distrust and disdain for the pillars of democracy. This lack of trust extends to constitutional institutions such as the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and even the Armed Forces.
\nThe PTI\u2019s mantra of rooting out corruption and cleansing the political system had been a central theme of their rhetoric. However, the minute it rose to power, the misguided priorities became crystal clear.
\nMay it be the twisted tale of Buzdar\u2019s administration or the chronicles of Farah Gogi, the party has earned notoriety for turning a blind eye to ill-gotten wealth falling in its coffers.
\nJust as troubling has been the party\u2019s obsession with power and control, clouding their judgment. The PTI\u2019s belief that only they can rid Pakistan of corruption is not only arrogant but also dangerous. It undermines the very institutions that brought the party to power in the first place.
\nThe overwhelming problem with the PTI\u2019s mentality is that it lacks validation. The party\u2019s belief that the system is no longer working in their favour raises questions about their true motives.
\nWhat has changed in the four years since the PTI came to power that has made the system suddenly flawed in their eyes? Is it because the system is no longer catering to their every whim and desire?
\nThe PTI\u2019s history of using legal and moral compromises to further its agenda is well-documented.
\nFrom ignoring the rules of intra-party elections to manipulating the legal system to target their political opponents, the party\u2019s actions speak volumes about their true intentions. The recent nullification of the PTI\u2019s intra-party elections by the ECP due to lack of transparency is just one example of the party\u2019s disregard for democratic norms.
\nRegardless of how loudly their public appeal gets or how eloquently their spokespersons defend Imran Khan\u2019s case, can anyone honestly explain what went behind the entire symbol controversy?
\nFor all those who keep dismissing it as a politically motivated move, what would you say about the constant ignorance shown to the intra-party protocols? Could it be possible that the PTI\u2019s electoral symbol was taken away on legitimate grounds?
\nPakistan\u2019s election law mandates that political parties hold intra-party elections periodically to ensure transparency and accountability.
\nThe PTI\u2019s delay in holding these elections and the subsequent complaints about electoral transparency did cast doubt on the party\u2019s commitment to upholding democratic principles.
\nTheir knee-jerk statements only added to the murkiness, while a resolute stance towards the state and all institutions to either hop aboard their bandwagon or head for the highway continued. The leaders may preach about morality and integrity all they want but what good are words if not followed by examples? Their actions tell a different story.
\nThe party\u2019s willingness to compromise on legal and moral issues for their own gain exposes their true nature. Seeking assistance from external powers like the IMF and Washington instead of working within the system only serves to further erode public trust in the PTI government. The PTI\u2019s policy of going behind Islamabad\u2019s back to make inroads into the IMF and Washington is not only unjustified but also dangerous.
\nThe party\u2019s lack of faith in the country\u2019s institutions and their willingness to bypass established norms for their benefit raise serious concerns about their commitment to democratic values.
\nThe day when the reality behind their shenanigans dawns on the support base, which would itself step forward to hold the party accountable for its misdeeds is not far!<\/p>\n
The writer is a freelance columnist.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Umme Haniya As the country grapples with economic challenges and political turmoil, the recent actions of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government continue to raise eyebrows. It takes an unbelievable degree of self-delusion to trample national interests in the name of petty vendettas. The decision to bypass Islamabad and seek assistance from the International Monetary Fund […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[13325],"class_list":{"0":"post-414767","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-article","7":"tag-umme-haniya"},"yoast_head":"\n