Economy is going down rapidly, terrorism is growing continuously, but the thing which is stable in the country is political chaos. Political instability in the country which was started after the no confidence motion against the former Prime Minister Imran Khan is still continued. Since then, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is demanding from the government to announce early elections. But, the government is of the view that elections will held on time. To pressurize the government for getting the date of early election, Imran Khan has been using a number of tactics starting from daily basis protests to a grand march named ‘haqiqi azadi march’. The government kept on neglecting the demands of PTI and has been asking the party to simply dissolve the Punjab and KP assemblies to send the country in general elections. But, when Imran Khan took the decision of doing so then the government took the U turn and announced that in case of dissolution of KP and Punjab assemblies the government will hold by elections in both the provinces instead of going for the option of general elections.
In a recent move, Imran Khan announced to dissolve both the assemblies on coming Friday. After this announcement, the game entered into a decisive phase and the political instability in the country further worsened. PTI is in the government with alliance of Pakistan Muslim League Q in Punjab. Since the day of announcement the PML-Q seems to be more demanding and more lusty for power. The statements given by the CM Punjab, Chaudhry Pervez Ilahi just after the announcement made by Imran Khan were a clear indication towards the internal matters of both PTI and PML-Q. Senior leadership of PML-Q categorically mentioned that they are in contacts with the Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif and the former President Asif Ali Zardari. This was the point when the speculations further spread that PML-Q is all set to ditch PTI once again.
Imran Khan has announced to dissolve the assemblies. But, in Punjab Imran Khan is facing difficulties. The first difficulty in Punjab for Imran Khan is its loose alliance with PML-Q and the second difficulty has come in the form of no confidence motion which has been submitted by the opposition parties in the Punjab assembly. Besides this, the opposition parties have played another important card under which the Governor Punjab, Baligh ur Rehman has issued order to CM Punjab for getting the vote of confidence. Governor believes that CM Punjab Chaudhry Pervez Ilahi has lost the required numbers in the assembly so he should get the vote of confidence.
There are two things which should be discussed here. One is the no confidence motion and other one is vote of confidence. In case of no confidence motion it is the responsibility of the opposition parties to prove the number game against the CM. but, in case of confidence votes it becomes the responsibility of the CM to prove the number game in his favor. If CM Pervez Ilahi would have to go for this option then he will have to prove that he has 186 votes in the assembly. Otherwise, he will lose the Chief Ministership. But, the important thing is that the order of the Governor Punjab regarding confidence vote itself is controversial. The Governor has summoned a session for this purpose. But, a session of Punjab Assembly is already underway. So, according to the law Governor is not allowed to summon a session when a session is already underway.
Government parties and PTI are face to face for the power lust. One is standing with the justified demand of general elections and the other one is rejecting this demand without any suitable reason. Resultantly, the political chaos in the country is badly damaging the already worsened economy. The situation which has been made after this new discussion of no confidence motion will push the country towards further political instability. Political elite should show some wise attitude and try to drag the country out of this political crisis because the on going political chaos is heading the country towards the default situation.
Published in Daily Country News, December 21th, 2022.
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