LAHORE: Panelists in the virtual launch of a book, Pakistan’s Political Parties: Surviving between Dictatorship and Democracy, discussed the political history and parties of the country.

The two-day launch was organised by the South Asia Institute, University of London and Folio Books. Bilal Zahoor, the Folio Books editorial director, hosted both the sessions.

Dr Tabinda Khan discussed her chapter on the PTI and her experience of working within the party and keenly observing its workings. She said the party’s transformation from a genuine movement to a catch-all party could be attributed to its decision to allow the PML-Q to take matters into their own hands. This, she said, resulted in the alleged PTI-military nexus that gradually strengthened over the years.

Dr Sameen Mohsin shed light on the relationship between the bureaucracy and different ruling parties, and her work on the PML-Q, PML-N and PPP’s relationship with the bureaucratic structures. Dr Yasser Kureshi discussed his chapter on the judiciary as a political/interventionist institution. His chapter dissects the role of judges’ appointment gatekeepers and recruitment networks that make sure that the internal culture of judiciary is aligned with the regime in power -- civilian or military.

Dr Ayesha Siddiqa discussed the structural tenets of Pakistan. She said historically, it was unlikely for a civilian government to come into power without having a strong relationship with the military. Her chapter also presents an account of the military’s relationship with the current ruling party.

Prof Sahar Shafqat spoke about her chapter on the role of the opposition parties in a hybrid, developing democracy like Pakistan. Prof Saeed Shafqat said the book was timely, refreshing and an innovative intervention into the discourse around democracy and political parties in Pakistan.

Prof Philip Jones talked about his work on the journey of the PPP from populism to patronage, mentioning the early history of the party and how Bhutto, despite many flaws, was able to do rather well at the start of the PPP’s government in the 1970s. He spoke about the challenges Benazir Bhutto faced while balancing the “tri-lateral” form of government during her first stint. Post-Benazir, Prof Jones claimed, was the beginning of the PPP’s decline.

Johann Chacko spoke about his chapter on the religious parties’ politics in Pakistan and how he was intrigued by the disparity between their parliamentary representation and street influence.

Published in Dawn, February 25th, 2021