s things stand, it appears that the opposition alliance and the government are trying to consolidate their posts against each other. The grand opposition alliance known as the Tehreek-i-Tahaffuz-i-Ayeen-i-Pakistan intends to launch a countrywide movement after Eid against alleged electoral rigging to press the government for fresh elections. The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz-led coalition government, on the other hand, is strengthening its position by announcing various development and welfare schemes in the Punjab and expanding the federal cabinet to include ministers from allied parties.

Anticipating a mass movement by the opposition, PML-N president Nawaz Sharif is planning to launch a mass contact campaign in the form of public rallies after Eid to motivate his party supporters.

Shibli Faraz, the opposition leader in the Senate, while speaking to the media in Peshawar recently said, “The grand opposition alliance will launch a countrywide movement against rigged elections and a fake government after Eid.”

PTI insiders say that the party has reached the conclusion that it cannot launch a successful protest movement by itself because of the government’s crackdown against its supporters. It, therefore, is better to use the alliance’s platform for this purpose.

“Mahmood Khan Achakzai and Shahid Khaqan Abbas were given the task to galvanise as many parties as they can, for which a national conference was held,” said an insider.

The Tehreek-i-Tahaffuz-i-Ayeen-i-Pakistan (Movement for the Protection of Pakistan’s Constitution) organised a two-day national conference recently. Chiefs of the Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party and Awam Pakistan Party Mahmood Khan Achakzai and Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, both once close aides to Nawaz Sharif, were in-charge of the conference.

Interestingly, none of Islamabad’s hotels were willing to provide a venue to the organisers. One hotel finally agreed but its management refused to provide the venue for the second day of the event after a session had already been completed. Despite these hurdles, the conference continued at the same hotel.

The opposition alleged that the government had threatened the hotel managements and pressured it to refrain from providing space for the conference. Some commentators said that instead of obstructing the conference, the government should have offered a venue for the conference to reduce political tensions.

Recently, Nawaz Sharif, while talking to his aides, said that whenever the country is launched on the road to prosperity, political instability grips it. The recent episode in Islamabad only caused embarrassment to the government and added to the instability. It is disappointing that a leader of Sharif’s stature is unable to realise the significance and necessity of an opposition in democratic politics. As party chief, he could have issued instructions to his government for accommodating the conference. This would have elevated his political stature.

The opposition alleges that the government is practising authoritarianism in the name of democracy, all the while exploiting the term ‘stability’ in this context. There is a general perception that the government is employing legal and administrative tactics to suppress the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf and stifle dissent. Allowing a single party to impose an authoritarian rule under the guise of economic reform is a betrayal of the democratic struggle that the people of this country have waged for many decades. Democracy requires respect for the law and tolerance of dissenting opinions, two principles that Shahbaz Sharif’s government continues to ignore, fostering a climate of political repression. Despite being the party leader, Nawaz Sharif seems unwilling to intervene and change the situation.

Meanwhile, two international organisations have pointed out the deteriorating state of democracy and fundamental rights in Pakistan. Washington-based organisation Freedom House has downgraded Pakistan’s ranking in political rights and civil liberties by three points compared to last year. The organisation has been monitoring global democracy and threats to freedoms for over two decades. Similarly, The Economist Intelligence Unit’s Democracy Index has reported a six-point decline in Pakistan’s democratic standing over the past year, placing it among the ten countries where democracy is most under threat. This index evaluates 165 countries based on electoral processes, government functioning, political culture, and civil liberties.

It would appear that the government is least interested in such reports. It continues with its hybrid style of governance. To solidify political loyalties, Shahbaz Sharif has expanded his cabinet. This, too, has brought him criticism from various corners not least for the reason that it would further burden the treasury. Reportedly, PML-N leaders and parliamentarians have expressed serious concerns about the inclusion of some faces like former PTI leader Pervez Khattak and MQM’s Mustafa Kamal in the cabinet.

“Since the government and the Establishment are on the same page, the prime minister cannot ignore the nominees of the Establishment,” said a PML-N stalwart, requesting anonymity.

What the government is celebrating right now is US President Donald Trump’s gratitude to Pakistan for helping arrest Daesh’s top militant Sharifullah alias Jafer, who was involved in the Kabul Airport bombing during the US forces’ evacuation of Afghanistan. Government officials believe that Trump’s gesture to thank Pakistan indicates that he is comfortable with the country’s military leaders and the current government. Counter-terrorism cooperation between the US and Pakistan has resumed. Officials believe that the recent development has hurt PTI’s hopes that the Trump Administration will press the Pakistani government for the immediate release of Imran Khan.

From the looks of it, Pakistan is set to witness a huge political showdown after Eid when the grand alliance and Nawaz Sharif will both be on the roads; the former to run a protest movement against the government and the latter for a mass contact campaign.

The author is a senior journalist, teacher of journalism, writer and analyst. His X handle: @BukhariMubasher