EDITORIAL

Pakistan Muslim League is facing even an existential challenge in Punjab. They must take a few tough decisions to come back. They must know that they cannot win coming elections, therefore, planning beyond that is the only way forward.

In early January 2022, Pakistan Muslim League-N was Punjab’s most popular political party. This statement can also be proved by the fact that it was also winning the by-elections with a clear majority. There were two primary reasons for this: the slogan “Vote to Izzat Do” was popular among democratic people, and the other was that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf was becoming unpopular among the people due to average governance and inflation.
When Imran Khan and Tehreek-e-Insaf were at the peak of their unpopularity, regime change was decided. Although the process of regime change was done constitutionally on the face of it, yet, all de-facto people involved were also known to the people. On the one hand, the people did not like the merger of Pakistan Muslim League-N with its past political rivals in the form of PDM; on the other hand, the coalition of PML-N with the establishment was also not welcomed by the people.

Against this backdrop, there was only one option left for PML-N to ensure governance. Because Tehreek-e-Insaf had become unpopular due to governance and inflation, the Muslim League-N had to overcome these economic problems. Still, it could not be done, and the PML-N became extremely unpopular ideologically, economically and administratively. The same people who would criticize PTI began to appreciate the average governance of Tehreek-e-Insaf.

Pakistan Muslim League-N has emerged as an ideologically non-democratic political party, so it must first reassess its relationship with the establishment. Besides, it can remain popular only by following the law and constitution. As an ideological and democratic party, the loss that Muslim League-N has suffered does not seem to be remedied soon. Secondly, Pakistan Muslim League-N is also committing state atrocities, so the people are outraged. Political parties cannot remain popular with the people by using force on the political workers and the people. Because Tehreek-e-Insaaf is presenting itself as oppressed in front of the people, it is unpretentiously gathering the sympathies of the people.

Moreover, Pakistan Muslim League-N has suffered more damage due to its poor governance model. The biggest challenge of PML-N is the Incumbency Factor. Tehreek-e-Insaf has freed itself from this factor by dissolving both provincial assemblies, so PML-N will now become its only victim. Inflation, unemployment and economic instability have made people dislike PML-N.

The unpretentious test of Pakistan Muslim League-N is the lack of leadership. Pakistan Muslim League-N leader Muhammad Nawaz Sharif is out of the country and is not eager to return. In such a situation, how can PML-N remain popular when problems surround it from all sides? How can a political party remain functional when the central leader is not available to the political party? The primary reason for the current popularity of Tehreek-e-Insaaf is Imran Khan’s political resolve to stay in Pakistan. In this context, it is pertinent to argue that Shahbaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz cannot be made leaders by force.

Muslim League-N is the leading political party of Punjab, and its functionality must remain firm in politics, but for this to happen, PML-N will have to make tough decisions. Holding elections on time is one such decision. Apart from this, PML-N will have to apologize to the people of Punjab and ensure the rule of law and constitution. There is a dire need to ensure fundamental human rights. Instead of traditional politics, leadership on merit will have to be brought forward. Further, PMLN should get all the political parties to the table and take decisions according to the constitution and law. Furthermore, PML-N and all political parties must introduce functional governance systems. People will not get satisfied with slogans any more.

Is this possible? Only time will tell. https://republicpolicy.com/?p=33392&preview=true&_thumbnail_id=33095