Are we heading for trouble during elections?

Islamabad : The nation is heading for general elections, which are just round the corner, and with each passing day the incidents of extreme violence are increasing at an alarming pace.

There is a sort of political polarization in the country for the last few years that we have not seen ever before and that is causing a chaotic situation in the society already.

Two major political parties of the country, which were hand-in-glove for almost two years have suddenly become open enemies in the political arena, openly accusing and even abusing each other in public rallies.

Apparently the most popular political party has already been pushed out of the elections race as a party as it has been ripped off of its election symbol, their leader has been put in jail, their nominated candidates, now ticket holders are contesting as independent individual candidates, each on a different election symbol allotted to them by the Election Commission.

But most worrying element is that the incidents of terrorism and even targeted attacks have spiked, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan while in Sindh, the MQM has restored to its old tactics of vandalism and intimidation of voters as well as rivals, creating a serious unrest. All these factors will eventually cast last shadows on the outcome of these elections and whosoever may form the government after 8 February elections, that would not be comfortable in the seat of power, both politically as well as economically as the economic challenges are spiralling with no plausible solution in sight.

The worsening law and order situation, especially in the KP and Balochistan is over-burdening the law enforcement agencies already. The terrorists and insurgents are not only attacking the law enforcing agencies but the political activities as well.

As if the two incidents of Sibbi and Bajaur district were not enough a warning, the terrorists or the insurgents have lobbed a hand grenade at the home of former Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti on Saturday, exposing the daring capabilities of these elements as well as inadequacy of the law enforcement agencies at the same time.

At a time when the army and all the law enforcing agencies should be fighting the menace of terrorism in general all over the country and the separatist elements so blatantly challenging in Balochistan, deploying a major chunk of law enforcement agencies, including the Army to election duties could lead to disastrous repercussions.

Such large chunk of Army, actively engaged in dealing with these elements, being diverted and put on election duties will create a void that will become easier for these anti-state and anti-social elements to operate, which should be worrying for everybody.

As it seems that postponing the elections is no more an option to deal with the situation, all organs of state should be mindful of what they have at hand to deal with and how?

No political party would like to curtail their electioneering with elections so close despite this serious threat of terrorism, which is something most worrisome because bloodshed and chaos would create immense problems for the law enforcing agencies, the administration and would reflect extremely negatively for the next government as it would start its stint on the wrong foot.

In the prevailing political scenario the country is heading for a general election the outcome of which would create unrest and not peace and harmony, which is so badly required to keep this nation together and guide the country on the road of peace, harmony and prosperity.