Good or bad, power struggles and wars are harbingers of change. They often reinforce weaker trends in politics, economics or the political economy.

If restricted to rhetoric, they at least question those dominant ideas which are losing their social validity, and lend support to subdued thoughts. This seems to be happening now.

For the first time the PML-N has a prime minister, though for a brief period, outside the Sharif family, And Ishaq Dar — the economic and financial czar — has lost some of his territory, signalling a further weakening of the financialisation of the economy in an expansionary phase.

This follows the PML-N’s policy to keep the exchange rate stable.

Other ministers will have easier access to the new premier since the country’s socio-economic development has acquired fresh priority; with the PML-N leadership under pressure from the opposition, accountability, and the coming general elections, to deliver public goods.

In his first visit to Karachi, PM Abbasi announced Rs25 billion development package for Karachi and Rs5bn for Hyderabad. Though Nawaz Sharif may still call the shots but not without more intensive consultations with party leaders.

The current strength of the cabinet indicates how different party segments are finding representation in the cabinet to forge greater unity in the organisation, refusing to be divided in times of trouble as in the past.

The removal of Nawaz Sharif, or earlier Gilani, did not interrupt the political process which is capable of reforms as per historical record.

Let’s look at the bigger picture. Imran Khan wants to build a new Pakistan by eradicating corruption, establishing meritocracy and waging a war against poverty. The detailed programmes and policies have yet to be announced to realise his agenda.

The Senate Chairman says that industrialists and feudal have roots in democracy and has highlighted the consequences flowing from it.

Nawaz Sharif has turned into an ‘ideological’ person after his exit from the government and wants to change the system: amend the constitution to firmly establish civilian rule and launch a revolution, if necessary, to ensure the sanctity of vote and mandate of the electorate.

He has touched a core, fundamental and pivotal issue: Will the people’s destiny be shaped by market democracy or citizen-based democracy?

In citizen-based democracy the electorate mandate has to be respected by all, not only for completion of the tenure of the people’s representatives but also the voters’ approved policies and programmes to make representative democracy more meaningful. That is the surest way to achieve an egalitarian system and inclusive economic growth.

What may appear rhetoric now is the imperative of the foreseeable future. Nawaz Sharif is a different person now, rich in experience acquired as an opposition leader and government head. He must not be judged by his past. The PML-N is no longer a toady party.

For things to move in the right direction, different political parties have to work on a minimum common agenda while retaining their independent identities for realising their maximum programme.

After all, the country has developed some sort of participatory democracy for elitist political parties to share power at both the federal and provincial levels. Why can’t they work together for the country’s socio-economic progress in an age of networking?

Now let’s look at the historical course that economy and politics have taken over decades, shaped by power politics and wars.

For example, the 1965 war weakened Ayub’s hold over power politics and its stranglehold over the country’s eastern wing. The 1971 war provided an impetus to Bhutto’s brand of socialism which earlier took root in a dictatorial regime.

The current low profile insurgency in Balochistan and militancy, primarily in tribal areas, calls for measures for socio-economic uplift of communities in affected, long neglected areas, more than the current ongoing and prolonged military response.

Musharraf’s tenure was followed by the 7th NFC award and the 18th constitutional amendment, throwing his concept of unity in command into history’s dustbin. Many arbitrary rules have collapsed with imperatives of federal democracy at work.

It appears that democracy prospers in its fiercest struggle against dictatorship.

What is happening now is another possible turn in the march of historical events. Taking a quote from Bhutto’s writings: the people lead and the people are led.

From all indicators, it is evident that time is fast approaching for people to give a fresh mandate to put an end to the current phase of power struggle among major political players and give a fresh orientation to the country’s economic and political policies.

But not before the PML-N has completed its constitutionally mandated term.

jawaidbokhari2016@gmail.com

Published in Dawn, The Business and Finance Weekly, August 21st, 2017