Political Meltdown in Pakistan and the Way Forward
Pakistan has been grappling with persistent challenges of the utmost severity since its inception. The portentous demise of Quaid Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah paved a bumpy road for the nascent state of Pakistan to traverse smoothly. At that time, the country started facing a slew of issues in the form of a leadership crisis, economic turmoil, social chaos, and regional unrest, allowing military powers to unconstitutionally take over the democratic country. Shockingly, it is a matter of concern to note that Pakistan remained deprived of its constitutional framework for the first nine years of its independence, obtaining it in 1956.
The constitution of Pakistan has yet to be framed by the Pakistan Constituent Assembly. I do not know what the ultimate shape of the constitution is going to be, but I am sure that it will be of a democratic type, embodying the essential principles of Islam.
Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah
However, considering the insalubrious and labyrinthine history of Pakistan, its leaders have failed to mitigate the entrenched crisis of the present. It is for this reason that the country lacks solid political unity at the domestic, national, and international levels. Political stability is a prerequisite for maintaining and preserving the remaining orders assiduously. If the country grapples with an onerous political crisis ignited by self-interest rather than national interests, it will ultimately fail to achieve economic and social prosperity, plunging the country into regression. Hence, this article aims to scrutinize the factors leading to political instability in Pakistan and its tectonic ramifications for the socio-political and economic conditions of the country.
The lack of strong leadership has been a major factor contributing to the ongoing political crisis in Pakistan. Ever since the passing of our beloved founder, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Pakistan has been searching for leaders who possess true wisdom and genuine skills. It’s quite ironic that in the early years of independence, there was a rapid turnover of leaders until the adoption of the 1956 constitution. Unfortunately, this trend has continued, with no prime minister completing their full tenure in the history of Pakistan. This leadership gap has led the country to face significant challenges, both economically and socially. It’s a concerning situation indeed.
Another factor triggering political instability is corruption. Pakistan ranks 133rd least corrupt nation out of 180 countries, according to the 2023 Corruption Perceptions Index reported by Transparency International. There is no doubt that corruption is fomenting political stakeholders to commit and embezzle government funds for their personal gain. Political leaders of Pakistan have been particularly prone to filling their pockets since the creation of Pakistan. As a result, the economy has been badly affected, and the country has relied heavily on foreign loans and debts for its economic survival. Moreover, there is no unanimous consensus among the political parties in the country. The post-election scenario has further deteriorated the political framework of Pakistan, with political leaders spewing vitriol at each other, tarnishing the soft image of Pakistan nationally and globally.
Additionally, institutional decay poses another obstacle to Pakistan’s progress. Renowned economist and former Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan, Dr. Ishrat Hussain, highlights that institutional decay and accountability gaps hinder Pakistan’s progress, perpetuating underdevelopment. The post-election scenario in the country erects gigantic barricades in the path of its development. The country remains on the edge of a political meltdown following the ousting of former Prime Minister Imran Khan in 2022 through a constitutional process, namely a vote of no-confidence in the parliament. As a result, the government was transferred to the Pakistan Democratic Movement, a coalition of 13 parties. They left no stone unturned in flouting the Supreme Court order, which mandated holding an election within 90 days of the dissolution of the assemblies. However, the election could not be held within the stipulated timeframe, weakening the power of the judiciary.
The chaotic situation after the 2024 election in Pakistan is unfortunate. The current government is arresting opposition leaders in an unprecedented manner, promoting a sense of Machiavellianism. Political parties are too busy fighting each other and settling old scores instead of focusing on the national interest. It’s like a game of “eye for an eye” and “tooth for a tooth,” leaving the well-being of the country behind. As K.B. Sayyed mentioned in his article “The Collapse of Parliamentary Democracy in Pakistan,” it feels like Pakistan is stuck in a state of nature where every political and provincial group is fighting against each other. The constant power struggle still surrounds the country, and it seems like every party is enticed by power politics, neglecting the principles of democracy.
Lastly, the erosion of democratic norms poses another threat to the stability of the country. Divisions among political parties undermine the effectiveness of democracy. Democracy relies on public opinion, but unfortunately, the situation in Pakistan is quite the opposite, with decisions being made regardless of public sentiment. Moreover, political instability can be seen as the root cause of numerous problems in Pakistan, having a detrimental impact on all sectors of the country, leading to devastating consequences such as inflation, poverty, food insecurity, and more.
The impact of political instability on Pakistan’s economy is significant. In the fiscal year 2022–23, Pakistan’s GDP growth rate was only 0.29%, while India and Bangladesh experienced much higher growth rates of 7.2% and 6.03%, respectively. This decline in foreign direct investment is a harsh reality. Investors are hesitant to establish industries, factories, and businesses due to the uncertain political landscape. Additionally, the country’s currency faces depreciation globally, leading to inflation, poverty, and other social challenges.
Moreover, we have seen how Pakistan has been ruled by the most undemocratic forces in history due to immature political leaders. The current situation in Pakistan is giving space to the interference of undemocratic forces in the country’s political affairs. Praetorianism is not in favour of a democratic state. Therefore, it will further deteriorate the condition of the country. Hence, there is a need for mutual consensus among political parties to stifle the interference of undemocratic forces.
Furthermore, the resurgence of terrorism is another by-product of political instability in Pakistan. The rise in terrorist attacks is claiming lives in different parts of the country. For instance, the recent attack on Chinese and Japanese workers is a matter of concern. Pakistan’s leadership needs to address the looming threats of terrorism meticulously to prevent its spread.
Though the present situation of Pakistan does not offer much optimism regarding prosperity and growth, it is, at the same time, an irrefutable reality that there exist a multitude of pathways that may lead Pakistan to the destination it has been aiming for since its creation.
To start with, political stability is the most significant requirement for this purpose, as it has a direct nexus with economic growth and social development. There is a need to formulate and implement better and more sacrosanct policies with the unanimous consent of other existing parties to create a conducive environment for foreign and local investment.
Furthermore, the incumbent government should ensure that institutions are free from any political influence so that they can ensure the continuity of the rule of law. The rule of law, as described by Aristotle, is a government by laws, not by men, which means no one is above the law and all persons and institutions, including the state, are accountable to the law. The institutions need to establish and enforce equal laws in the country without making it a net to catch small fish. The government and its institutions should ensure strict adherence to rules and laws, and this will definitely lead us to prosperity and glory.
In conclusion, Pakistan’s prosperity lies in its political stability. Political parties need to understand the grave repercussions of the uncertain political landscape of the country. It poses great threats and barricades to the development of social.
