In an anarchical international system, state is the basic unit and everyone else revolves around it. At domestic level the political, economic and social activities of the masses and state actors must be centred on the state. In a democratic system, the political parties are the main stakeholders, thus must pursue the interests of the state. In the domestic politics, the activities of political forces in any state are bound to follow some set rules, morals, values and actions which are known as political ethics. Indeed, “Ethics and politics are inseparable” hence must be practiced and demonstrated accordingly. In the politics of Pakistan, there have been some of the leaders whose moral values and ethics seriously hamper the social tenets of the country.

As observed since last few months, conflicting interests of political parties in Pakistan are taking new and dangerous trends. These self-centred interests of political parties are mostly personality orientated and damaging the state. In most of the cases, interests of political parties are contradictory to the national interests of the state of Pakistan. These political parties do everything at the cost of the state, nevertheless; contribute very little towards betterment of the state. Resultantly, the state of Pakistan is undermined and the political parties get stronger and stronger with each passing day.

Whereas the fundamental human rights of everyone in Pakistan are secured in its constitution, the people and political parties have their fundamental duties towards state and its institutions. Human rights does not mean that, people disdain the state, attack and humiliate its institutions and still demand protection under the acts of fundamental human rights. The criminals should be dealt as per the law without any immunity and mercy. Indeed, through a well-planned strategy, the security institutions of Pakistan were attacked on May 9, 2023. As per arrested workers, these attacks and violence were ordered from the top leadership of the party.

An analysis of these evidences reveals that, party workers and mid-level leadership of this political outfit were asked to attacks with the aim to destroy key military installations. Indeed, if the workers are arrested and penalized, why top leadership is left without questioning. Traditionally, threats emanating from internal factors have affected Pakistan more than external threats. In fact, external threats can only harm the country once internal factors are associated with those.

As experienced, upon reaching at the peak of their political power, the political parties undertake two things; one, ignore the well-being of the masses who brought them to power and two, confront the national institutions for promotion of their vested interests.The people of Pakistan are experiencing such an ugly situation in the contemporary phase of Pakistani politics. Through an organized campaign, the national institutions of Pakistan are being targeted and undermined. So much so the unparalleled achievements of the military towards national security are being scorned and challenged by the political forces. Some of the statements of senior politicians have solemnly criticized the role of the armed forces. Besides, the top military command was criticized from the platform of political forces in their power shows at various locations.

Deliberately or otherwise, such criticism is providing ample chances to the rival regional and international forces to destabilize the state of Pakistan. Indeed, destabilization through political unrest and chaos is the real target of the Pakistani rival forces. The political grievances of political parties against each other should not drag the institutions and the state. Let the state of Pakistan remain sacred for everyone and the institution of military as an undisputed national institution in Pakistan. The political forces must revisit motto of their political parties, which establishes relationship between state, political parties and the national institutions.

Whereas, the constitution of Pakistan has secured fundamental rights of every Pakistani, the Pakistani nationals are bound to protect the state, its sovereign status and the institutions of its security. State is the basic unit of international relations, the political parties and institutions are meant to follow and secure the interest of the state by all means. “In political theory, sovereignty is a substantive term designating supreme legitimate authority over some polity. In international law, sovereignty is the exercise of power by a state. De jure sovereignty refers to the legal right to do so; de facto sovereignty refers to the factual ability to doing so.”

It is worth mentioning that, Pakistan is the pivot state in Asian Continent. In last seventy-five years, it has played a decisive role in the international power politics. Throughout during the cold war era, the decade of 1980s and the post-cold war phase of “war on terror” Pakistan has been the centre of all major happenings between major powers. The 21st century has posed yet another critical challenge, where Pakistani geopolitical is being viewed to play a decisive role towards international power politics between major powers. It has a unique geopolitical position in the power politics of US and China on one hand and US and Russia on the other.

Indeed, destabilizing Pakistan through a political and social unrest among the masses is the real agenda of rival forces for creating chaos in the country. This is attained through creation of hatred against security institutions of the state through some political forces and media as apparatuses. The counter strategy is to analyse the emerging threats, resolve the domestic socio-political differences and present a unified national character. This can be achieved by protecting national interestsof Pakistan, respecting the institutions of national security and paving way for economic uplift of the country. The political parties of Pakistan and all stakeholders must realize their responsibilities towards this sacred mission.

— The writer is Professor of Politics and IR at International Islamic University, Islamabad.

Email: drmkedu@gmail.com