Despite the claims of party leaders and ministers that it will complete the constitutional tenure, the coalition government is hanging by a thread. The PTI is pressurizing to hold early elections and the economy is deteriorating.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has been holding meetings with his allies over the future of the coalition government. The PPP wants the government to continue remaining in power and rectify the economy. However, the PML-N is unwilling to take the entire burden of tough economic decisions like increasing fuel and power prices as it comes with a huge political cost.
The incumbent government has two things to take care of – the faltering economy and a belligerent Imran Khan. While talks are underway with IMF to receive crucial funds to prop up the economy, the government has been unable to control the deprecating currency, slumping stock market and rising inflation. It is seriously contemplating passing on the burden to the next government than pay the hefty political cost.
With regards to Imran Khan, it seems the government is contemplating to either arrest or detain the PTI chairman. The indication by Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah that he is waiting for an opportunity to jail Imran Khan suggests sinister motives of the government. It is perhaps perturbed by the massive public gatherings being held across the country or wants to prevent them from marching towards Islamabad.
The fiasco which we witnessed over the temporary arrest and release of PTI leader Shireen Mazari is an indication of what lies ahead. PTI leaders could be subject to political victimization which we have witnessed of opposition leaders. The government has been warned of the grave consequences if Imran Khan is arrested, detained or harmed in any way.
The nation is once again on the brink. Political leaders are tied in their vested interests rather than tending towards resolving problems of the masses. It seems that there could be more political turmoil as the current crisis is unlikely to dissipate anytime soon. The government needs to take decisions in the greater interest of the nation rather than leading us towards anarchy and chaos.
