Chaos capital

Islamabad just can’t catch a break from protest, crackdown, more protest, more crackdown. Perhaps this is also a [valid] reason why the Islamabad High Court has now issued a directive to allocate a designated space for the PTI’s protest while prohibiting unlawful demonstrations that could disrupt the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in the capital. The PTI’s protests have once again raised alarms, with disruptions to daily life and a looming threat of clashes amid heightened tensions between the provincial and federal governments. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur getting arrested or detained from the KP House in Islamabad, where his whereabouts are still uncertain at the time of writing this, has only added to the unfolding saga of political chaos. This is not the first time such protests have paralyzed Islamabad. The planned D-Chowk sit-in, which has now disrupted the capital for two days, has led to cellular outages and road blockages, inconveniencing thousands of citizens and leading to concerns about its impact on the SCO Summit, a significant diplomatic event for Pakistan. The government is understandably anxious to maintain peace, especially as it seeks to project stability to international partners.

The right to protest is a hallmark of any democracy, and the PTI is no exception in exercising this right. However, there is a growing concern that the party’s protests are not aimed at genuine political discourse but rather at creating chaos. As political observers have noted, this penchant for disruption has become a defining feature of the party’s political strategy. Ever since its 2014 dharna, the PTI has mastered the art of bringing governance to a halt, using political instability as leverage to pressure the state. However, the timing of these latest protests could not be worse. Pakistan is on the cusp of economic recovery after securing a deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and the SCO Summit is a crucial diplomatic event that could boost Pakistan’s international standing. By threatening to create unrest just as the economy is showing signs of stability, the PTI risks undermining the very foundation of the country’s recovery. It is difficult to see how threats to storm the capital or disrupt essential services and daily life advance any meaningful political goals.

Political pundits suggest that these latest moves are part of a larger strategy to pressure the state while the PTI still holds some leverage. With the economy stabilizing and political stability potentially around the corner, the party may feel this is its last opportunity to extract concessions, particularly regarding its founder-chairman’s legal troubles. But this chaotic approach is a double-edged sword. While it may put temporary pressure on the government, it also reinforces the perception that the PTI thrives on instability, a reputation that could harm its long-term political viability. Indeed, some within the party’s own ranks have warned that this chaos strategy could backfire. With every protest that turns the capital into a battleground, the PTI risks alienating potential allies. Pakistan’s fragile economy and the importance of international diplomacy cannot be overstated. The SCO Summit is not just a diplomatic gathering; it is an opportunity for Pakistan to strengthen ties with key regional powers and showcase itself as a stable and reliable partner. Any disruptions that jeopardize the success of this event will not only harm Pakistan’s international reputation but also its economic recovery. For the PTI to risk all of this for short-term political gain shows a lack of foresight and responsibility. In a democracy, the right to protest must be balanced with the responsibility to ensure that such protests do not harm the greater public interest. Is it not time for the PTI to reconsider its tactics?