After Daska plight, senate polls were no less than mayhem. The most anticipated battle ended with Yousaf Raza Gillani’s victory against Hafeez Shaikh, paving his way to the senate. This is undoubtedly a setback for treasury benches and of course a dent in PTI’s esteem amid the completion of half of their time in government that is nearly 2.5 years. It is also a significant victory for PDM since the launch of their campaign.

The credibility of the Senate election was at risk, but the alleged video released days before the senate of polls hit the nail on the head, leaving no doubts that there is something suspicious going on in Islamabad. Ali Gillani, son of Yousaf Raza Gillani was allegedly seen with MNAs and MPAs discussing myriad ways of wasting votes and other dubious strategies amidst Senate polls.

Read more: Leaked video of Syed Ali Haider Gillani adds frenzy to Senate Elections 2021

The crumbs of neutrality were already at risk. There was shadiness that something unpleasant might happen. The announcement of Gillani’s victory was shocking for PM Imran khan, but the most important question is whether democracy flourished by these hurly-burly polls? Ironically, democracy rather than strengthening got fragile. It also made clear that the black sheep still take cover under the umbrella of democracy and use it whenever required.

The confidence vote attained by PM Imran Khan was one of the consequences of this chaos, although he won with a greater majority that is 178 instead of 174 in 2018. Still, the damage that has been done is inevitable. If I call it a compromise, it would not be wrong because Khan took the votes from the same reprobates who were allegedly involved in horse-trading.

Read more: Prime Minister Imran Khan secures vote of confidence

Assessing the possibilities

What happened was traumatic. But now the question is, what next? Is this mess going to end here or should we buckle up for some more turmoil? The different possibilities that are going to happen, let us scrutinize it.

The next foremost and mammoth contest that is going to be is for Senate Chairmanship; that would not be something different from the one we witnessed in the NA earlier. The end goal of PDM is not just getting a senate seat, but their eyes are on Senate Chairmanship. By getting Chairmanship, they would have control over the Senate, and all legislations would be under their control.

Read more: Will PDM’s long march topple Imran Khan’s government?

The total seats of all opposition turn out to be 53 against 47 PTI senators. That makes it harder for PTI to get the Chairmanship of the Senate. Here, without any suspicion, horse-trading would be imminent. Back in 2018, something similar but the other way around happened, and that was when PTI was in opposition and Saddiq Sanjrani elected for Chairmanship, despite having lesser numbers in the senate. It also reminds us about the lost fellow of PM Imran khan ‘Jahangir Tareen’ who has had an immense contribution to the formulation of the PTI government.

The second opinion that has been mingling around is the dissolution of assemblies and new elections. But is this option feasible at present? The circular debt of Rs 2306 billion, widening trade deficit, and the highest ever inflation in Pakistan’s history that is more than 13 per cent is alarming.

Can Pakistan even afford a new election amidst this mayhem? And what are the likelihoods that after the elections, the political stability would be conceivable? Could PM Imran khan set aside his differences and sit with the status quo with whom he had been struggling against for the last 22 years? It may be one’s wish, but this is never going to happen in our beloved country.

Read more: Government not interested to hold talks with PDM, clarifies Pervez Khattak

Compromise; the most feasible option?

The third option is ‘compromise’. This is not something new or would be for PM Imran Khan. Ironically, the nation has been subject to “U-Turn” for the last 2 years, and now this more or less equal. Indeed, according to PM Imran khan leaders may take a “U-Turn” if required.

The compromise of continuing government with the black sheep that betrayed at senate elections would not be an easy trade. This, however, would be damaging not only for PTI’s esteem but also affect their vote bank. If Imran khan removes the culprits from treasury benches, it means losing the majority and giving chance to the opposition to gain the majority and this would pave their way for a vote of no confidence against PM Imran Khan.

As said by interior minister Sheikh Rashid in an interview recently “we would have been sitting in opposition benches if Imran had removed the culprits of senate elections.”

Read more: Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad’s reckless comments causes quite a stir

The option that is most feasible for PM Imran khan is of compromise. To continue government with the same black sheeps those who stabbed in the back amidst crucial senate elections.

This also goes against all his previously said ideologies. And government by compromise is not independent, resilient, and self-sufficient. It is also many times acknowledged by PM Khan. But what is the way forward now? After of completion of nearly 2.5 years of his government, what options PM Imran khan has left?

Need for a reform

The foremost thing that needs concern is that of good governance. It’s been now nearly 2.5 years since the PTI’s government could not manage administration effectively. The reforms proposed by the government till now are nothing but elusive. The status quo still rules here. Yet many thunderous speeches have been offered by government representatives but all in vain.

Read more: PTI governance: A series of mismanaged affairs

There is an army of spokespersons that are constantly working on media and social media reiterating about the corruption of previous governments and defending their leaders. It needs to be changed by performing and delivering rather than these elusive talks.

The second important thing is to stabilize the ailing economy. The highest inflation rate in history that is above 13 per cent and the third spike of Covid -19 that just started hitting us back needs to be addressed immediately.

Pakistan has more than 60 per cent of the young population, and the number of unemployment is increasing drastically. The rate of unemployment has crossed 5.55 per cent post covid19. Also, the FATF dagger is still not over yet. The foreign direct investment in which China is by far the largest contributor needs to be expended. More investment means more projects that would boost the economy.

Moreover, CPEC under BRI is of immense significance for Pakistan’s economy that needs to be complete meritoriously. About half of the projects have been near completion or completed, and around 12 remaining. The projects under CPEC need to be implemented successfully that indeed required political stability in the country.

Read more: China, Pakistan determined in promoting CPEC construction: Chinese FM

A host of uncertainties

But, I am uncertain, is the growth possible in such political instability? PDM is preparing for another march in the last week of March for overthrowing PM Imran khan’s government. The government needs to buckle off for another expected chaos.

PDM is in a much better position post-Senate Elections because they have defeated the strongest candidate of the treasury benches, moreover, they will use this opportunity as a weapon in defaming, degrading, and diminishing the incumbent government. That would create more uncertainty and instability in the country.

The government needs to tackle this upcoming battle effectively. What we saw outside parliament on the day of ‘vote confidence’ was utter immaturity from both sides. Such mishaps can spike flames that might not be possible to handle, thus paving way for undemocratic forces to take over.

Read more: PML-N leaders manhandled by PTI supporters outside Parliament House

Political stability is essential for the development and success of a country. Our leaders need to show some sanity, respect, and moral courage to run the system smoothly. We are already amidst myriad complications, and by creating political chaos, our political leadership is nowhere near the right path. Last but not the least, without conducting the free fairs elections and respecting the mandate of the other political parties, Pakistan cannot grow leaps and bounds.

The author is an engineer and lives in Peshawar. He can be reached at [email protected] views expressed in the article are the author’s own and do not necessarily represent the editorial policy of Global Village Space.