KARACHI, Sept 5: Electioneering has yet to gain momentum. So far no party has addressed a single national issue confronting the country in the changing geo-political situation of the region.

A temporary veil seems to have been drawn on important, long-term trends in the national politics. Trends to which greater attention will be paid once the immediate preoccupation with the elections is over. All indications show that both the major parties—the PPP and the PML (Nawaz) are battling for survival, as for the first time the two parties are having to fight an electoral war without their key leaders.

According to some political observers, the October polls are likely to reflect the national influence of the two major political forces. Both the parties will have to focus on serious national issues and mobilize the people.

The rejection of the papers of the party’s chairperson is no doubt a serious and immediate concern for the PPP. It will of course serve the short-term interest of the party. But the party needs more homework, it needs to focus on issues of national concerns and create a national outlook for itself.

The PML (N) appears to be in a political wilderness. It has still not come out of the shock caused by the military coup which toppled the party’s government and resulted in the exile of the party leadership. If both these parties are set to fight for the cause of democracy, their manifestos must reflect this.

Unfortunately, politicians of all shades and other power brokers have responded to the situation by forming electoral alliances and with behind-the-scene “understandings” for sharing power. They have failed to focus on any national issue, as if there weren’t any.

There is a strong feeling, particularly in the intelligentsia, that Pakistani politics flourishes on the basis of personalities and clan ties. This is only part of the truth. The reality is that politicians have also been insensitive to the needs of the electorates.

Looking through the political statements of these parties, one can hardly find references to national issues. Sweeping references on such issues are made only when it suits particular interests. Local issues too are raised whenever a local leader of a party has to address his particular local constituency.

Not surprisingly, they devote considerable time and resources in their election campaigns to local welfare issues such as provision of health and schooling facilities, roads, electricity, law and order, water supply and sanitation.

Local problems are exploited by candidates in their constituencies to seek votes in their favour. After elections, these problems are never attended to and remain unresolved till the next elections. There seems to be not a single political force identifying the social, economic, demographic and ideological elements that can be assembled on a common platform with a national appeal.

No party has developed an approach to seek alliances beyond its existing narrow base. Instead of identifying themes that can unite different interest groups, political leaders themselves have fallen prey to fragmentation and discord.