Anarchy Is What States Make of It

For the government of Pakistan, nothing seems to be changed since April 2022: neither the faces nor their troubles. Shahbaz Sharif, who had resumed the charge of prime ministership by removing Imran Khan through the vote of no-confidence, in April 2022, retained the position after the 2024 elections. The Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), a nine party alliance, which is responsible behind the political hatching had pledged people to bring economic stability. Ironically, the situation has become worsted: Pakistan has faced record inflation, even her economic has been almost defaulted. Meanwhile political instability had exacerbated, with the rise of the popularity of Imran Khan, and the PDM failed to tackle the crises politically: use of force against the opposition and controlling main stream media and the postponement of the local and general elections by using legal lacunas, had also deteriorated democratic norms in the state, which had started to flourish for last one and half decade.

Amidst of poly-crises: political, economic, judicial and executive doldrums the general elections have been held in February, 2024 everyone was optimistic: things will get better. Massive irregularities and pre and post elections riggings, more importantly the saga of Form 45 and Form 47 coupled with the controversial judicial decision, pertaining the allotment of reserve seats had made the political landscape more precarious.

The incumbent government also called PDM 2 is fuelling the agitations rather absolving them, by opening new fronts. Opposition parties are already on the roads, questioning on the credibility of the government and the alleged role of establishment in politics. Moreover the grievances of farmers, because of the recent wheat crises, as the government has redefined its policy of wheat procurement by cutting down its purchase from the farmers along with the restrains shown by the people of Kashmir under the umbrella of Joint Action Committee had also surged its troubles.

It seems that the treasury bench is not learning from its mistakes. Speeches against the judges in the Parliament and media by the ministers are widening the rifts between state institutions, which will have serious consequences in future, and the government has to pay the price. Lastly, the promulgation of the Defamation Act-2024 by the Punjab Government has brought the media in the muddle, as the media is not ready to accept such regulations, considering as draconian law which usurp their freedom to speak and right to criticize.

The State is in the state of anarchy which is perpetually becoming more complex, with the key stake holders: government, opposition, establishment, judiciary and media are encountering eyeball to eyeball, while the laymen, on one side are enjoying the tug of war of the powerful, apathetic actors and on the other side they are bearing the brunt, as their lives are akin to all these hassles.