Pakistan, with its strategic location and cultural significance, remains a crucial player in South Asian politics. However, the current political scenario in Pakistan is one of instability and unrest, with the government and opposition engaged in a power struggle that has lasted for almost a year.
Background
It all started almost a year ago when the ex-prime minister of Pakistan Mr. Imran Khan was ousted through a no-confidence motion in the National Assembly. Imran Khan claimed that he was ousted following an international agenda against him. He specifically nominated the US government and blamed the PDM (Pakistan Democratic Movement: a nexus of different political parties to remove Mr. Khan from prime ministership) for taking directions from the US to oust him. Khan didn’t stop at accusations only, he announced a countrywide movement against the new government and quickly got a huge number of people on his back.
Political Movement
The political movement of Imran Khan got a huge public response and within a few weeks after getting ousted from the PM office, Khan managed to do some huge public gatherings. He accused the current government of PDM for sedition and also blamed the then-establishment for not helping his struggle.
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Impacts of Political Instability in Pakistan
Political instability can have far-reaching consequences for a country and its people. So has been the case with Pakistan for the previous year. Some of these consequences were the following:
- Economic Instability: Political instability lead to economic instability in Pakistan. The reason has been simple: when there is uncertainty about who is in charge or what policies will be implemented, businesses and investors become hesitant to invest, leading to a slowdown in economic growth. This resulted in job losses, reduced salaries, and decreased standards of living for citizens since the previous year.
- Social Unrest: Political instability in Pakistan also lead to social unrest. When there is a lack of political stability, citizens become frustrated and disillusioned with the government. The situation has consequently led to protests, strikes, and other forms of civil unrest in the country.
- Human Rights Abuses: Political instability in Pakistan also lead to human rights abuses. When a government is weak or struggling to maintain power, it may resort to repressive tactics to quell dissent or maintain control. This has been done by the current government of Pakistan and has resulted in the violation of human rights, like the suppression of free speech, the use of torture, or extrajudicial killings. Fake FIRs have also been launched on journalists and politicians to disrupt free speech in the country.
- International Relations: Political instability in Pakistan also has international consequences. Other countries are hesitant to engage in diplomatic or economic relations with Pakistan.
Conclusion
The current political scenario in Pakistan is causing significant instability and unrest within the country, leading to economic difficulties, social unrest, and human rights abuses. The ongoing power struggle between the government and the opposition has resulted in a lack of direction and policy implementation, leaving citizens disillusioned with their leaders. This political turmoil is also impacting Pakistan’s international relations, with other countries hesitant to engage with Pakistan diplomatically or economically. The government and opposition must find a resolution and work towards stability to ensure the well-being of the citizens and the country’s future growth and development.