Politics of the absurd. This is what we are witnessing in Pakistan today. What is happening in the political state defies comprehension and logic. Politicians are fighting among themselves but the victim is the common man for whom life is a daily grind which is getting tougher with each passing.

The PDM’s coalition government at the centre is about to complete nine months in office, but its performance remains dismal. Expectations from the experienced team to revive the economy have not been unfulfilled. Economic growth and exports have declined and prices have hit the stratosphere. Political instability is adding to the economic woes. In the opinion of PTI chairperson Imran Khan and many impartial observers of the national scene, elections are the only way out of the crisis. But the incumbent government is averse to the idea.

The no-holds-barred power game between the ruling coalition and the PTI is getting uglier by the day. Imran Khan has been demanding elections but the PDM is afraid of going to the electorate – for obvious reasons. Its performance has been miserable, to say the least. It came to power promising to fight inflation. But through its mindless policies it has almost tripled the inflation rate. The flour price has gone beyond the reach of the poor man and at many places the commodity is not available.

In the midst of the severest economic crisis in Pakistan’s history, the blame game is on between the government and the opposition. The PTI says that the PDM has destroyed the economy but the ruling coalition blames the outed PTI government for the economic crunch Pakistan is facing today. No party is telling the whole truth.

The dissolution of Punjab and KP assemblies has added to the uncertainties in the present political mess. The PTI has taken this step to hasten the process of holding elections in the country. But the PDM is afraid that because of the worsening economic situation it will lose and so it wants to delay them for as long as possible.

Political pundits are skeptical whether the elections will be held at all and when because the PDM government is fidgety and has been filibustering on the issue. By accepting the resignations of 35 PTI MNAs the PDM government at the centre has blocked the possibility of a no-confidence move in the National Assembly. It is also not clear whether the PDM will dissolve parliament and go for national elections.

Another question is: if elections are held, will the results be accepted? We have the example of recent local bodies polls in Karachi where the PTI has reported extensive irregularities in the voting and result compilation process. The PTI has also expressed lack of confidence in the Election Commission. According to the PTI, the latest example of partiality of the EC is its appointment of PDM nominee Mohsin Naqvi as caretaker chief minister of Punjab who is known for his close links with Zardari who is also facing charges of rigging in the Karachi LB polls. Now the PTI has announced that it will go to court challenging the decision of the ECP. This may result in further delays in the holding of elections.

The PDM may have failed to steer the ship of state in the right direction but it has succeeded in one of its primary aims. All corruption cases against PML-N and PPP stalwarts before the NAB and other judicial forums have been withdrawn and major amendments in the NAB ordinance have rendered it a toothless body. The matter has now been taken to higher judicial forums but what will be the final outcome is difficult to say.

In the midst of all this, there are unconfirmed reports of Nawaz Sharif returning from London. But his conviction stands and unless it is reversed, he will be arrested which would not suit the plans of his party.

Imran Khan’s fate also hangs in the balance. There are a number of cases against him pending in the courts relating to foreign funding and toshakhana. If he is disqualified, it will be a big blow to the PTI. In such an eventuality, the party will likely weaken or conversely it may emerge stronger with a backlash from the masses. Political analysts are of the view that Imran Khan is now a political reality with a large following and cannot be eliminated from the national scene.

The next few months will be tumultuous with the political fight becoming more intense as parties thrust and parry with no-holds barred. In the meantime, the economy is sinking deeper into recession. It remains to be seen what the role the establishment will play in bringing some order to the chaotic power game now going on in the country.