Many political, economic, religious, social, climatic, administrative and legal problems have cropped up which expose not only the weakness of the state but also the callousness and immorality of the ruling elite.

There is no denying the fact that the prevailing political, economic and legal system is not supporting poor people who are fated to suffer and die in pain and deprivation, while the ruling elite is protected and benefited by the system. The government has utterly failed to help flood-affected people. According to the UNHCR, “At least 1,700 people have died; 12,800 injured, including at least 4,000 children; some 7.9 million displacements; and nearly 600,000 living in relief sites”.

The economy of Pakistan is about to collapse as there are no dollars left in the interbank and the open market. Dr Farrukh Saleem writes: “The SBP’s $8.3 billion is all borrowed reserves. We need $20 billion to buy petrol and diesel. We need a billion dollars to buy wheat. We need $3 billion to buy cooking oil. We need $2 billion to buy coal to run our power plants. We need $3 billion to buy LNG. We need $2 billion to buy cotton. We need $10 billion to import machinery. Red alert: If our imports continue the way they are, Pakistan will soon – very soon – be in a state financial emergency. We need $17 billion to fill our current account deficit. We need $17 billion for debt servicing. We are running a $50 billion trade deficit. We are running a Rs6 trillion budget deficit. We have a Rs2.5 trillion circular debt. Our so-called Public Sector Enterprises (PSEs) are indebted to the tune of Rs2 trillion. The government’s so-called ‘commodity operations’ are indebted to the tune of Rs900 billion. Red alert: If we continue the way we are, Pakistan will soon – very soon – be in a state of financial emergency”.

According to data collected by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies, an independent think tank, around 42 terrorist attacks of varying magnitude have been recorded in September. Deaths in terrorist incidents rose from 37 in August to 42 in September. Twenty-four of the 42 people killed in the attacks were security officials. Meanwhile, attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and ex-Fata areas have doubled. On October 7, Swat residents protested against the TTP presence and terror activities in the area. The demonstrators said that they would no longer put up with terrorist acts or the presence of terrorists in the valley. They criticised the administration for reportedly limiting the internet access in the majority of Swat.

In another terror event, militants stopped a senior minister among several travellers, including foreign tourists, near Thak village of Chilas. They released them after negotiations with the authorities. During the negotiations, the militants gave the government a 10-day deadline to comply with their demands. The incidents show that terrorism has not yet been defeated. Rather, the TTP has been allowed to come back to Sawat. The residents of the area are protesting and criticising the decision openly which is not a good sign for the stability of the country.

Moreover, a series of audio leaks involving top political office conversations have not only exposed the lies and deception that have become ingrained in the political and social culture but also show a systemic collapse of state institutions. The leaks unfold the entire collapsing system, including security, which is very alarming and shocking because it would plunge the country into a state of anarchy.

The leaks also manifest that there does not exist any morality in Pakistani politics, as PML-N PM Shehbaz Sharif and PTI’s Imran Khan have not negated the veracity of the conversations. Rather shamelessly, both parties are using the leaks to damage each other’s reputation. The leaks also demonstrate how power struggles lead to the sacrifice of national interests. It is also said that more leaks are coming soon, which would have great effects on political power games.

Ishaq Dar, once convicted and wanted in corruption cases, has returned to take over the finance ministry. Maryam Nawaz has been freed from corruption cases, received her passport back, and reached London. The new NAB laws have helped all PML-N and PPP leaders avoid persecution. Now, the PDM government is trying its level best to crush the PTI and its leadership using the FIA and the ECP. According to media reports, the government will take legal action against Imran Khan on the issue of the cypher. The federal cabinet has also launched an investigation into the audio leaks. Maryam Nawaz, vice president of the PML-N, has even advocated for a raid on Imran Khan’s Banigala home.

On the other hand, Imran Khan openly challenges the PDM government and its supporters, the establishment. Imran Khan is at the apex of his popularity and any action against him would result in severe consequences and spark a volatile political environment. Moreover, if Imran Khan gives a call for a long march, it might lead to blood on the streets of Islamabad after a possible confrontation with law enforcement agencies. This PTI-triggered civil strife could spread to other parts of the country, plunging the country into a full-fledged civil war.

Keeping in view the dire situation of the economy, terrorism and the destruction brought on by the floods, will the PDM government, the establishment, and politicians stand by and let the country descend into chaos and anarchy?