In recent months, the political landscape of Pakistan has been shaken by a series of protests orchestrated by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party. While protests are a part of democratic expression, the recent protests organised by PTI were illegal and have significantly damaged the country's economy, governance, and social fabric. The protests, which disrupted public life, caused chaos in major cities and inflicted heavy economic losses, have raised questions about their legitimacy and the broader implications for Pakistan's future.

Setting a dangerous precedent

One of the most critical aspects of PTI's protests has been their blatant disregard for legal processes. The courts did not sanction the protests, yet PTI leaders intentionally violated court orders. During a hearing concerning a contempt of court petition filed by Islamabad traders, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) raised serious concerns about PTI's violation of its orders. 

The Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) remarked that the government had closed Islamabad so that even a judge could not reach his office. He criticised the government's actions, saying that they had failed to restore law and order as instructed by the court. The CJP highlighted that the court's directives had emphasised the importance of considering the fundamental rights of citizens, including business owners, protesters, and ordinary people who had been severely affected by the shutdowns.

The protests were organised without proper court approval, which means they were illegal from the outset. Rather than adhering to the legal process and engaging in peaceful, sanctioned protests, PTI resorted to defying court orders. This decision to bypass the judicial system undermines the rule of law and sets a dangerous precedent for political movements in Pakistan.

Mob violence and PTI misgovernance

While peaceful protests are vital to democratic engagement, PTI's recent protests cannot be classified as such. The protests, organised hastily and without any clear purpose other than creating chaos, quickly devolved into violent clashes between PTI supporters and law enforcement. Eyewitnesses and medical personnel present during the protests have painted a grim picture of the violence that unfolded. While PTI circulated a list claiming to show the names of those injured and deceased, the reality was far less severe. Two medical staff members from the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) clarified that only two fatalities were reported, one of which was due to asthma aggravated by tear gas, and the other was related to violent clashes. Contrary to PTI's exaggerated claims, there were no large-scale casualties, and many of those injured were treated for minor injuries related to tear gas exposure. Despite these facts, PTI's portrayal of the events as a massacre is an example of disinformation designed to fuel further unrest.

The impact of PTI's leadership is not confined to the protests but extends to the governance of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), a province under PTI's rule for over a decade. PTI's promises of reform and modernisation in KP have largely failed, leaving the province stagnant. Despite promises of an educational revolution, the province's education system has collapsed, with teachers striking for better pay and working conditions. The closure of 26,000 schools due to the strike disrupted the education of millions of children. Furthermore, the province's economy has stagnated, with widespread unemployment and a failing industrial sector.

Another area of failure is PTI's inability to address security concerns in KP. Terrorist activities have once again escalated, and the provincial government has been unable to stem the tide of violence. The government's focus on national political struggles has left KP vulnerable to these threats, as the province's security needs have taken a back seat to PTI's broader political agenda.

PTI's governance in KP has been characterised by neglect and political distraction. Rather than prioritising the province's needs, PTI has been consumed with national protests and political manoeuvring, leaving the people of KP grappling with deteriorating infrastructure, poor education, and a fragile security situation.

Economic consequences of protests

Perhaps the most significant damage inflicted by PTI's recent protests has been the toll on Pakistan's fragile economy. Pakistan's economy is already struggling with inflation, unemployment, and a mounting fiscal deficit. PTI's protests, which have led to mass shutdowns in key cities like Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and Lahore, have worsened the economic crisis.

The cost of PTI's protests is staggering. Indirect economic losses have been estimated at Rs 192 billion per day, with direct losses totalling over PKR 2 billion. Over the past 18 months, the government has spent PKR 2.7 billion managing PTI's protests, with PKR 1.2 billion spent in just the last six months as the protests intensified. Public and private property has been heavily damaged, including PKR 280 million worth of Safe City cameras and 220 police vehicles destroyed. The costs of maintaining law and order during these protests have also been astronomical, with security forces incurring additional expenses for transportation, catering, and logistics.

The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) has also felt the effects of PTI's protests, with the market experiencing its worst-ever single-day drop. This reflects the broader lack of investor confidence in the country's future as political instability and violence continue to plague the nation. Furthermore, the volatility of the PSX and the decline in sovereign dollar bonds reflect the uncertainty surrounding Pakistan's economic future, exacerbated by the ongoing political unrest.

Pakistan has struggled to secure external financing despite being in an IMF program. External borrowing for the current fiscal year has yet to meet expectations and is directly linked to the political instability caused by PTI's actions. This lack of external funds further compounds the country's economic crisis as it struggles to maintain essential services and pay off its mounting debt.

People's welfare over partisan politics

PTI's protests have caused irreparable damage to Pakistan’s economy, governance, and social harmony. By violating court orders, engaging in violent protests, and focusing on political theatrics rather than governance, PTI has demonstrated a complete disregard for the rule of law and the welfare of the people. The economic cost of these protests is staggering, with billions of rupees lost each day and investor confidence plummeting due to the ongoing instability.

As the country grapples with these challenges, political leaders must be held accountable for their actions. Pakistan's future hinges on restoring law and order, protecting fundamental rights, and a commitment to effective governance, which must take precedence over partisan politics and destructive protests. The people of Pakistan deserve leaders who prioritise their welfare and work towards building a stable, prosperous future for all.

(The author is a postgraduate student of Strategic Studies at the Centre for International Peace and Stability (CIPS), a school of the National University of Science and Technology (NUST), Islamabad. Views are personal. He can be reached at waleedsami56@gmail.com )