Weak Governance, Misdirected Priorities

The influence and vote bank of TLP, especially in Punjab. has grown in recent years; they were the third largest party in Punjab in 2018 and, with the exception of one or two seats, failed to get their candidates elected. Considering that the TLP enjoys good relations with the military establishment and has a substantial following, their political clout is on the rise. There are speculations that in the forthcoming national and provincial elections, some of the PTI MNAs may find it expedient to join the TLP to improve their chances of getting elected. The street power of these parties is far greater than that of the political parties which is weakening democracy. Increasing social unrest mostly due to economic inequalities also favours the TLP and TTP. The growing power of the clergy recently demonstrated by the role played by Mufti Munib as an arbitrator between the government and TLP and his succeeding in pursuing the parties to reach an agreement and hailing it “as a victory of Islam, Pakistan, patriotism …..” has consequences for the future of democracy. The fact that several policemen and citizens were killed by TLP workers was not given the attention it deserved. The government’s policy of engagement with the TLP leadership to find a peaceful solution was in order but yielding to their demands is close to a sell-out or surrender. Whether the TLP is going to demobilize its military wing is still not clear. Pakistan’s image and general perception of the state is already blemished and is likely to suffer because of the amnesty offered to these groups. There was a decision that cases of minor offences would be withdrawn but the majority of those arrested have been released and it is not clear as to what criteria would be applied in determining the gravity of their offences. The accounts of the party that were frozen have been released but it is thought that their source of income and expenditure are legal and that proper scrutiny is exercised by the government.

The policy of engaging with the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) by the government has also come under severe criticism. It is the same militant group that was responsible for the horrific cold-blooded murder of 150 persons, mostly young students of Army Public School, Peshawar. A major offensive was launched against them and the operation did succeed in wiping out their sanctuaries and, for a while, it seemed the threat had receded. It, however, did not take long for them to recoup their losses and they are now operating mostly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. The Taliban victory in Afghanistan has apparently been a morale booster. Giving them general amnesty on the understanding that they would not engage in any militant activity is doubtful, considering that the TTP has gone back on agreements at least five times in the past. Not taking the opposition and the parliament into confidence and working out a deal or an understanding with the TTP and TLP in disregard of accepted democratic norms, apart from the government’s leverage weakening, has marred political sentiment and set wrong traditions. Most troubling is the leniency and compromise that is being extended to pacify these violent groups, which stands in sharp contrast to the hard position taken by PM Khan against human rights groups and political opponents. Progressive movements that demand greater freedom of press and repeal of laws are being dealt severely. These contradictory policies would adversely impact the very character and nature of the state and have serious consequences for the economy, politics and image of the country. The weakness of the state would be capitalized by the TTP and TLP for gaining maximum concessions. Experience over the years demonstrates that those countries firmly rooted in democratic values are able to weed out militant groups far easily. Similarly, countries that have functional economies are in a better position to face militancy.

Moreover, with the Taliban assuming power in Afghanistan after a prolonged struggle spanning twenty years, the fallout on Pakistan and especially the border areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan has been destabilizing. The Taliban-led government of Afghanistan may be a welcome development, considering the hostility demonstrated by President Ashraf Ghani towards Pakistan but it has a serious dark side to it. The medieval thinking of the Taliban leadership, inability to govern satisfactorily and unacceptability by US and Western countries, has implications for Pakistan. Similarly, any dominance or growing influence of TLP and TTP in Pakistan would change the character and trajectory of the state adversely. These developments that affect the nature and character of the state should be a serious cause of concern across the political and social divide.