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Express Tribune
5 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
PTI stares down mounting pressure
Protestors throw stones after police fire tear gas to disperse them in Lahore on May 9, 2023. PHOTO: REUTERS As anti-terrorism courts begin to hand down verdicts in the May 9 riot cases, the political stakes for the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and its founding chairman, Imran Khan, are not only intensifying but also entering a new phase of vulnerability. The reported conviction of a sitting PTI Member of the National Assembly, among others, marks more than just a legal precedent as it signals the beginning of a mounting pressure campaign on the party, just as it readies itself for yet another attempt to reclaim the streets. But before PTI can reignite its street power, it must first grapple with three compounding challenges: tightening legal nooses, growing internal disarray exacerbated by Imran Khan's incarceration and isolation, and a widening gulf between the party and the powerful quarters. Taken together, these dynamics have left the party politically disoriented, legally cornered and strategically adrift. The May 9 violence, sparked by the arrest of PTI's newly-designated patron-in-chief in a corruption case, unleashed unrest across the country, including unprecedented attacks on military installations. The state's response was swift and sweeping, with a crackdown leading to the arrest of dozens of leaders and supporters, many now facing anti-terrorism charges. As convictions begin to roll in, political analysts believe the cost of staging fresh agitation is growing by the day. Ahmed Bilal Mehboob, president of the Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency (PILDAT), sees this as a pivotal moment. "The government and the establishment have emerged stronger and more confident, especially after the recent [Pak-India] four-day war," he said, adding "the support for agitation against government & establishment by PTI and its allies has also suffered further setback". Commenting on the convictions' aftermath, the PILDAT chief noted that there was a greater likelihood for harsher punishment for 9 May accused persons, adding, "This judgment is indicative of the future trend of tougher actions". Mehboob felt that the vacuum at the top was another factor compounding the legal challenges for both Khan and the party. Regarding the question of whether PTI's call for protest would gain traction, especially after the patron-in-chief first called for talks with the establishment and then announced a protest movement from jail, Mehboob felt that Imran Khan suffers from a lack of clarity in communication because he is unable to communicate directly from behind bars. He noted that the visitors narrate Khan's point of view with a slant reflecting their personal views, which are often contradictory. "Apparently, there is no clear and well-considered policy which the party has decided to follow," he said while listing down the reasons for constantly getting confused signals from PTI. Mehboob said it shows a confused state of mind, which is quite natural in a situation where "the supreme leader is behind the bar and isolated; and the rest of the party officials lack the trust and authority to take a decision as Khan can embarrass and snub them any time". Meanwhile, PTI's relationship with powerful stakeholders has hit a new low. One example of it was witnessed when the party was excluded from a high-level field marshal's dinner to celebrate victory in the recent war, which the experts believe was a symbolic but telling snub. The only invitation extended to PTI was sent to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur. Still, he skipped the event to attend a party meeting discussing Khan's release - an act that was seen by some as defiance, but by others as a missed opportunity. "PTI should decide to either act as a "revolutionary" party by opting for the path of street agitation (which, in my opinion, may be a suicidal path) or act as a responsible political party which rules a province and may rule the country again," Mehboob said. He said that PTI should not miss its official duties as a large political party and as the government of the province, and participate in all such state ceremonies and meetings as the dinner hosted by the field marshal. "Trying to ride in two boats may land the party in mud," he concluded. While sharing his views on the challenges being faced by PTI, Professor Tahir Naeem Malik of NUML University said that the verdict in the May 9 cases made it absolutely clear that the state was not going to go easy on PTI. "The May 9 verdicts are not just legal judgments," the professor noted, "they're part of a broader message that the state intends to draw a hard line." Commenting on Khan's desire to hold direct talks with the establishment, which was swiftly followed by his announcement to begin a new protest movement, Professor Malik said that it was a result of a lack of coordination among the party leadership, as they do not get frequent opportunities to devise political strategies amid changing circumstances. "The top leadership is in jail and unable to take stock of the rapidly changing situation while those outside can't make decisions on their own," Professor Malik said, "this has created confusion whether to negotiate or resist; hence, facing paralysis." Nonetheless, Malik said that the support from voters is still there for PTI, but it seems the party's ability to turn that into action has reduced, adding that slogans alone won't be enough without proper coordination and a clear plan. On rifts, he said, with some form of reconciliation or reset, it's hard to see how PTI regains political space through traditional channels.
Express Tribune
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Call for fostering societal cohesion, tolerance
The National Academy of Higher Education (NAHE) in collaboration with the Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency (PILDAT) coupled with the Centre for Peace and Development Initiatives (CPDI), organised a seminar on "Fostering Societal Cohesion, Tolerance, and Peacebuilding" at Margalla Hotel on Thursday. The event, attended by senior faculty from Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, provided a platform for constructive dialogue and knowledge-sharing on Preventing Violent Extremism (PVE) through education and community engagement. Dr Noor Amna Malik, the Managing Director of NAHE-HEC, graced the seminar as chief guest, while Ahmad Bilal Mehboob, the president of PILDAT, highlighted the importance of proactive collaborations between civil society and academic institutions during his welcome remarks. Dr Malik lauded PILDAT's efforts and emphasised the commitment of NAHE, and HEC to strengthening societal harmony through higher education. She reiterated NAHE's dedication to promoting peace and tolerance by empowering faculty and HEIs as agents of change. Dr Dayyab Gillani, Director of Research at NACTA, served as the resource person and key speaker, presenting a comprehensive module developed to enhance the capacities of faculty, legislators, and government officials to counter violent extremism and foster societal harmony. The module, prepared as part of the HumAhang programme, emphasised understanding extremism, differentiating it from violent strands, and building community resilience through innovative approaches such as inclusive governance, critical thinking, and collaborative partnerships.
Express Tribune
10-03-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
NSC idle despite security challenges
The National Security Committee (NSC), the country's top civilian-led forum for security policymaking, did not meet even once in the past year, marking an unprecedented lapse in its functioning, according to the annual performance review issued by the Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency (PILDAT). The annual performance evaluation of the NSC conducted by PILDAT for the timeframe from March 5, 2024, to March 4, 2025, highlights a disturbing trend in the governance structure. Established in 2013, the NSC did not convene a single meeting throughout the yearmaking 2024-25 the first time in history that the committee remained completely inactive. While the federal cabinet regularly meets, there was no indication either that the cabinet committee on defence which provided such a forum before the creation of NSC, has been re-operationalised. The report noted that former premier Nawaz Sharif, during his tenure from 2013-17, convened only eight NSC meetings, while Shahid Khaqan Abbasi – during his tenure of August 2017-May 2018 – significantly increased the frequency, averaging nearly 10 meetings per year. Imran Khan – prime minister from 2018 to 2022 – averaged approximately three NSC meetings annually, whereas Shehbaz Sharif, in his previous tenure from 2022 to 2023, convened an average of five per year. However, in the past year (2024) of the current PML-N-led coalition government, which took office in March 2024, the NSC has not met a single time. The absence of NSC meetings is also reflected in the government's responses to security incidents. Instead of convening the NSC, the government seems to have relied on military-led forums such as the corps commanders conference and the apex committee of the National Action Plan. This has further sidelined the NSC's role in structured policymaking, the report noted. The report pointed out that another critical concern was the continued absence of a national security advisor (NSA), leaving a strategic vacuum in Pakistan's security policy framework. In contrast, countries with established national security mechanisms, such as the United Kingdom, ensure regular NSC meetings, often on a weekly basis, to proactively manage security risks. "PILDAT believes Pakistan's lack of an institutionalised national security approach weakens democratic oversight and limits the country's ability to respond effectively to security threats through structured consultations."
