Speaking at the Haripur rally, PTI chief Imran Khan issued yet another ultimatum. He warned the government to hold fresh elections or be ready to face protesters who would converge on Islamabad. Mr Khan has been holding rallies to raise the issue ever since he was removed through a no-confidence vote in April. The demand however became louder and more desperate after the PTI won by-elections and formed the government in Punjab.
Over the last four months of its rule the PML(N)-led government has managed to reset relations with the USA, which had deteriorated under Mr Khan. It has also rejoined the IMF programme. The consequent economic hardships however have considerably brought down the PML(N)’s popularity graph. The PML(N) hopes the measures taken by it will start paying dividend in a few months. It is therefore reluctant to hold elections before the completion of the present National Assembly’s tenure next year.
The disaster caused by the weather conditions has introduced a new factor in the debate raging around elections. With rains and floods continuing, what Pakistan faces is a major humanitarian disaster. Videos and photos emerging on social media show towns, villages, and cities inundated with no sign of life. With nearly 1000 dead since early monsoons, many more suffering injuries, families stranded in locations with no food or water or shelter, and with road links washed away , it is argued that this is not the time for political parties to fight for power. Presently there is a need to concentrate on saving lives which needs a gigantic effort. Once this has been done there will be the challenge of rehabilitating tens of thousands of families.
A decision to hold early elections will divert the nation’s attention from the disaster to campaigning. A considerable part of the federal and provincial administrative machinery, including the police and other law enforcement agencies currently engaged in reducing human suffering, will get involved in arrangements connected with the elections. Meanwhile opposing political parties will engage in mudslinging matches that characterize every election. Instead of joining hands, or competing with each other, to provide help and support to the suffering compatriots the political parties would be fighting it out among themselves.
