IT may be a forlorn hope, but there is still time for better sense to prevail. At the moment, however, it appears that political fratricide is the likely outcome, with the country’s mainstream and leading political parties seemingly oblivious to their democratic responsibilities.

Bizarrely, the PML-N appears determined to lead the charge, attacking the PTI with a gusto that suggests either misplaced confidence or great fear. Ruling parties are not supposed to behave like opposition parties, if only because it adds to the perception of political instability rather than combats it.

Consider also the tussle over government permission for the PTI rally in Lahore yesterday. Perhaps, as police officials earlier insisted, there were genuine security concerns in the provincial capital.

Yet, there is a legitimate suspicion that the PML-N uses security excuses as a cover for political ends.

The trust that all Pakistanis, non-political or political, supporters of the government or supporters of the opposition, should have in the state stands eroded by the unnecessary machinations of the ruling party.

Of course, where the PML-N is erring, the PTI seems to be set on fomenting the maximum political instability it can. True, the core of the PTI concerns may be legitimate – as the elected prime minister of Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif has a great deal to answer for when it comes to the foreign assets and overall wealth of himself and his immediate family.

Moreover, the PTI has a democratic right to protest and nothing that the party has done so far suggests illegality. Yet, the PTI seems less concerned with systemic reforms than simply ratcheting up the political pressure on Mr Sharif.

The enthusiasm with which the PTI supremo takes to PTI rallies is matched only by the reluctance of the party to activate parliamentary channels for political and economic reform. Mr Khan looks worryingly more comfortable atop shipping containers than he does on the floor of parliament.

If the PML-N and PTI appear engaged in a personal war, the problem is compounded by the few outside parties that could help stabilise the country’s politics. The religious right that could mediate is busy choosing sides, with the Jamaat-i-Islami and Maulana Fazlur Rehman of the JUI-F pursuing narrow, parochial interests.

Meanwhile, in a bid to perhaps increase his political relevance, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has weighed in with his own attacks on Nawaz Sharif, accusing him of being soft on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, abandoning Kashmir and calling on Mr Sharif to step aside until the Panama Papers judicial commission completes its work.

With political parties shunning stability, the spectre of anti-democratic forces will loom ever larger. That is the unfortunate history of this country: enlightened actions elude politicians to the point that the political process itself is tainted and anti-democratic forces stand at the ready to reap the benefits.

Published in Dawn, May 2nd, 2016