Political polarization, leap to conclusions

 

Political polarization is not leaping to conclusions but you know political polarization will affect worse.

General elections-2018 going to hold on the 25th of July. I’m not enthusiastic at all but a bit reluctant about the event taking place on Wednesday. I have got the same reservations as other opinion makers are concerned. Numerous people believing that general election-2018 will bring a big change in favour of us. However candidly, I’m spotting many stumbling blocks which will confine a positive move. Furthermore, the difficulties will increase shortly after the GE-2018. Former director of the independent Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, I A Rahman has addressed "I am apprehensive that Wednesday's vote can improve anything. It will get worse."

Our political affairs are staggering at the moment. The election forecast is rather sensible that a hung parliament will be formed. At the back of this idea, there are some facts, causes and consequences. I don’t think any political party could barely get even 100 plus seats out of 272. Are you getting me? Another fact is our most of the political parties are based on political dynasty. If you go through past two general elections (GE-2008 and GE-2013) you will examine there was the only tug-of-war between former ousted PM Nawaz Sharif and President Zardari. A bit in 2013-elections and properly now in 2018-elections Imran Khan secured the nominee. Election results were accepted by both parties (PML-N and PPP). Now, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf will also race for the formation of a federal government.  Definitely, all these three parties will effort to win the race to form the federal government. One more reality is Punjab province decides who will form the government in the centre. But this time in Punjab PTI is obliged with a full batting pitch and prepared a dead pitch wicket for PML-N. Soon after Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Safdar’s arrest, Bilawal Zardari visited Punjab and he tried to change the political dynamics as well. Actually, the PPP is all but finished in Pakistan's most populous and electorally significant Punjab province.

The state of Pakistan is facing the severe crisis, yet none of the major political parties is addressing these issues. No leader and representative is telling people how they want to resolve them. That’s why I don’t think any single party could get the majority. If a major upset is not taking place. I think this is the first time when none of the parties is assured about their position. They are not in a position to form a separate or independent government. What I’m suspecting is a poor and defective government is resulting after GE-2018. Perhaps, PTI leader Imran Khan has also same reservations. Therefore he is saying repeatedly in his political rallies that the poor parliament will not be in the favour of Pakistan.

One more thing- do anybody thinks is there some kind of ideological relation and affiliation between our political parties? Definitely answer is a big NO. Since political polarization is not letting it. We have observed some sort of ideological understanding between 1960- 1990.  But now it’s not anymore offered. We know political polarization will affect worse. Though ideology is not an inconstant thing it directs to a certain direction, unfortunately, today our political parties have no direction. While Pakistan's two major political parties are struggling for power, hard-line religious parties are gaining strength. A number of religious parties, including some banned outfits, are contesting elections despite international concerns about their involvement. The groups are now cashing in on political divisions and the power struggle between the PML-N and the military

In the end result of GE-2018, I’m bearing in mind not only a hung parliament but weak too. As well as the ruling party and ruler will also not acceptable to many stakeholders. I wish upcoming government complete its tenure and meet up with crises effectively. But beyond my wish, I’m not guaranteed the resulted government will complete even its two years.