Emerging trends in national politics

Amir Jamaat-e-Islami Maulana Siraj-ul-Haq stepped down from his post on Monday following the defeat and worst performance of his party in the Elections 2024. The Jamaat-e-Islami secured no seats in the National Assembly and got only two seats in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) provincial legislature. In 2014, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s senior minister and leader of the Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) Sirajul Haq, was elected as the new Ameer of the party. Unfortunately, Siraj-ul-Haq could not deliver and failed to revive glory of his party which it enjoyed under the leadership of Qazi Hussain Ahmed in the past decade. Meanwhile, the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party Patron-in-Chief Jahangir Khan Tareen also decided to quit politics and step down from the party office after sustaining serious backlash in recent elections. Surprisingly, Tareen, who was generally perceived to be military backed leader faced unprecedented defeat and failed to grab even a single seat out of three National Assembly constituencies he contested in recent polls.

The Election-2024 has brought numerous positive trends in the country’s politics along with highlighting multiple flaws, and negative stubbornness in the political culture of our society. A majority of political parties celebrated their victory in multiple constituencies while refusing to accept their defeat and accused the Election Regulator as well as their opponents of rigging in the electoral districts where they faced a backlash. Several civic groups, their candidates, and part workers blocked roadways and launched protests against the ECP and the caretaker government due to their failure in achieving the required votes in their respective constituencies. The ECP withheld the results of those constituencies where defeating candidates officially filed complaints with the ECP and requested recount or otherwise. Offcourse, this is an official and legal process to address valid complaints and settle down disputes among the parties.

Besides, the ugly behavior of some politicians, several public leaders displayed generosity and team spirit in the face of an electoral defeat and political setback. Several leaders such as Jahangir Tareen and Malouna Siraj-ul-Haq stepped down from the parties’ leadership, while many including Khawaja Saad Rafique from PML-N, Samar Bilor and Ghulam Haider Hoti from ANP, independent candidate Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar and others acknowledged their defeat and congratulated adversaries on their victory while promising to work together for the development of the country and welfare of the public. Jamaat-e-Islami Karachi Chief Hafiz Haeem refused to accept his victory from PP Sindh and made claim that as per form 45, the PTI candidate was victorious from that Constituency. We hope Hazif Naeem will prove his allegations against the ECP at relevant forum, that is a big question mark on the transparency and credibility of the recent polls. Meanwhile, the ECP must probe that matter and admit its fault otherwise take stern legal action against the politician if he levelled false charges against election regulator.

In fact, the true politician and an ideal sportsman play a game or contest an election for his fame, the prestige of his country and in service to the nation. He neither puffed by victory nor depressed by defeat. He always remained steadfast in both adversity and prosperity. A real statesman acknowledges success with grace and maintains dignity and respect in defeat and setback. However, the leader with low caliber turn a healthy contest into personal enmity, incite hate and violence for political gain. Pakistan has experienced unbelievable damage, economic and reputational losses due to institutional degradation, political immaturity of its leaders and dysfunctional democracy. The nation can’t afford such selfish politics and rigid behaviour anymore. Let us carry forward the true spirit of sportsmanship and uphold the legacy of true leaders beyond the elections, embracing the values of our nationalism, brotherhood, and citizenship that surely payback and last long throughout history.