To say that it has been a fateful week would be understating the magnitude of the political and constitutional crises the country found itself in. What began as a series of extraordinary events leading to a political standoff creating a governance and constitutional vacuum on Sunday last only snowballed over the days that followed.

As political instability in Islamabad increased, its ripple effect was felt in the Punjab. Mock assembly proceedings were held by the opposition alliance in a hotel after the provincial assembly building was barricaded to prevent the alliance from showing its strength in a session.

For those who favoured the ‘surprise’ element, there are many lessons in what followed. Holding the country’s constitution hostage to one’s ambition was not unprecedented by any means. The narratives centring on accusing the entire opposition of treason and colluding with a foreign power to destabilise the government through a no-trust motion are indicative of a sharp descent into chaos.

The Supreme Court of Pakistan has since pronounced a judgment to undo some of the damage resulting from the deputy speaker’s ruling and the dissolution of the National Assembly by the president following the prime minister’s advice.

Impetuous allegations of high treason to mar political structures and suspend democratic processes have been harmful to the country and its struggling democracy. The hazards of such dangerous games are too high for sane people to even contemplate such actions. Politicians, more than anybody else, must be cognizant of the harsh reality.

Some of us might wonder if there is a method to this madness? Others claim that they understand this all too well. A few are cautiously holding their breath in anticipation of what lies ahead.