July 16, 2024, Islamabad — The government’s recent actions against the growing PTI movement show a dangerous level of desperation. As they tighten their control, power seems to be slipping away like sand through clenched fingers. Instead of facing reality and finding solutions, their strategies are pushing the country closer to chaos.
Despite the Supreme Court recognizing PTI as a legitimate political party just last week, the coalition government announced on Monday their plan to completely ban PTI. They also intend to review the Supreme Court’s decision on reserved seats and start proceedings under Article 6 against former president Arif Alvi, former prime minister Imran Khan, and former deputy speaker of the National Assembly, Qasim Suri.
This move raises questions about whether it is the government’s best response to losing its two-thirds majority—a majority that had been secured through questionable decisions by the Election Commission. The idea of PTI regaining its status in parliament seems to have frightened the ruling parties so much that they are considering banning the party on shaky grounds, similar to tactics used by military dictators.
Information Minister Atta Tarar’s press conference on Monday made the government look desperate and overwhelmed rather than strong. It seemed like they were testing the waters to see the public’s reaction instead of having a solid plan. Surprisingly, senior party members did not dismiss this idea before it went public.
The government and its supporters in the establishment seem unaware of the unknown territory they are in. Previous regimes that used political coercion and fear had strong economies to back them up. The current economic conditions, however, are not suitable for the risky and adventurous strategies of the current regime. If their goal is to collapse the democratic political order, they are on the right path. However, if they seek social and economic stability, they need to make significant changes to their approach.
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