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EDITORIAL: The outcome of by-elections on 20 seats of the Punjab Assembly is a moment of truth which may well set a new direction for this country’s political future.

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) won all but five seats while the ruling coalition, headed by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) in Punjab as well as at the centre, managed to secure only four seats, while one went to an independent candidate.

In central Punjab, believed to be the stronghold of the ruling Nawaz League, the PTI grabbed five seats, including three out of four in Lahore, and as many in southern Punjab, where the PPP still retains some influence. Without a doubt, a major cause of this rout is the unbearable cost of living.

The people do not care if the prices of essential commodities soared in the international market because of the war in Ukraine, what matters to them is that they find it harder and harder to make ends meet. Another factor could be granting of tickets to PTI turncoats. Former prime minister Imran Khan’s narrative also contributed towards undermining the PML-N candidates’ prospects.

Khan blamed the manner of his ouster on the powers that be. Others before him have pointed fingers in that direction, but quietly, sometimes not so quietly, accepted extra-constitutional interventions.

He launched a tireless campaign claiming, on the basis of a diplomatic cipher, that his independent foreign policy did not sit well with Washington, and that he was removed because of foreign intervention, leading to an ‘engineered’ vote of no-confidence against him and imposition of an ‘imported government’.

Although the facts of these allegations remain to be established, his narrative seems to have resonated with the people. Many responded to his calls for protest demonstrations and flocked to public rallies he addressed all across the country.

The way the former prime minister challenged all the forces arrayed against his party helped him defeat them. Times have also changed.

It is no longer possible to suppress critical voices. There is the independent media covering live the speeches made by prominent leaders of all major political parties. Besides, anyone and everyone have access to social media where they can freely express opinions, without fear or favour.

It is good to note that the PML-N’s firebrand senior vice president Maryam Nawaz who led its election campaign has gracefully bowed before the public verdict, immediately conceding defeat and calling for introspection about the reasons behind her party’s surprising poor showing.

Despite PTI’s ‘shocking’ victory in the Punjab by-elections and its demand for immediate general election, the coalition government at Centre has announced that it will complete its term.

Be that as it may, it is about time all major parties, including the PTI, also sat together and arrived at a consensus, like the 2006 ‘Charter of Democracy’ signed by, among others, the leaders of the then two major parties, the League and PPP, so they do not have to constantly look over their shoulders while taking decisions they deem in the best interest of the country.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2022

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