Editorial
As Pakistan reels from another surge in petrol prices and deepening governance failures, the political atmosphere grows increasingly volatile. The current coalition government, already struggling with a crisis of legitimacy due to widely perceived electoral engineering, finds itself on increasingly shaky ground. Public trust, even among traditional supporters of parties like PML-N and PPP, appears to be eroding fast.
A growing number of citizens — across political divides — believe the current political setup lacks moral and electoral credibility. This perception, combined with economic pressures such as inflation, energy crises, and administrative inefficiencies, is turning disillusionment into silent anger. In such an environment, even minor missteps by the government could snowball into widespread public resentment.
This presents a ripe opportunity for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to relaunch its political narrative and mobilize public support. PTI, which has so far remained under pressure from legal and political constraints, may now find a new opening to reassert its position — not merely as a protest movement, but as the primary voice of the disenfranchised electorate.
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What makes the situation more precarious for the ruling alliance is that it has no margin for error. Every policy decision — especially those directly impacting public life like fuel prices and utility bills — is under scrutiny. With the legitimacy of their mandate already questioned, failures in governance are no longer seen as isolated issues but as confirmation of systemic dysfunction.
If PTI plays its cards strategically, avoids impulsiveness, and stays grounded in a disciplined, issue-focused campaign, it could transform this political vacuum into momentum. The party may reclaim its populist appeal by aligning with public sentiment against a government viewed as imposed rather than elected.
The government, therefore, faces a two-front battle — to stabilize governance and restore credibility. Anything less could deepen its unpopularity and further widen the path for PTI’s political resurgence.
