Political instability to haunt reforms

Pakistan’s polarised elections that followed nearly two years of unrelenting political turmoil and ongoing economic crisis have intensified uncertainty. That the manipulated outcome of this election would have serious consequences for the future of Pakistan, its citizens, democracy and civil-military relationship is known to all; it would also have a bearing on the nation’s fragile economy. The elections have been conducted after a delay of several months amid unsettling political and economic uncertainty and a tense security environment. Therefore, the massive exercise was expected to bring about some semblance of stability in the country. Far from it. The widespread wins of independent candidates associated with the jailed Imran Khan’s PTI, especially from Punjab, have taken its rivals by surprise.