o say that political temperatures in the country are rising will be an understatement. The political chaos and turmoil coupled with economic challenges and rising inflation are testing the nerves of every citizen. The general uncertainty has added to the amplification of negative sentiments, political, social and otherwise.

One may have thought that the by-elections in the country’s most populous province would pave the way for some semblance of political stability. But the recently deposed Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s thumping victory in the heart of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s presumed political stronghold to create another political mess. While the vote in the Punjab may have settled the issue of popular support and mandate in the province, its tremors seem to have been felt at the Centre, in Islamabad, where a nervous coalition government has vowed to complete its tenure.

The scare is real. The party that had been on the verge of political isolation is back. It is making its presence felt. But apart from the political vindication on which much of the political rhetoric and commentary is being set, the recent by election results indicate remarkable trends including the diminishing significance of the electables, as we discuss in one of our pieces this week, and the popular narratives used by political parties, especially the PTI and Imran Khan. The results are also likely to influence other electoral activities, including the second phase of local government elections in Sindh.

Political trends indicate that the country is in for testing times ahead. While political rhetoric heats up in the country, one hopes that the well being of the country and its citizens will be held supreme by all actors.