As a result of the government's confrontation with the judiciary, political instability has returned to Pakistan. More importantly, the economic programme initiated by the government — that should have been its main focus — has started to unravel because of the perceived vulnerability of the ruling party due to the suspension of the 14th Amendment. After regaining their freedom to speak, MNAs from the ruling party promptly joined the opposition in targeting the government's downsizing efforts, which were considered essential to improve the country's fiscal viability, rehabilitate pivotal institutions, reduce inflation and restart economic activity.
It goes without saying that, for good or for bad, agreements with the IMF hinge upon downsizing. If abandoned, the agreements might fall apart. The government has already put downsizing on hold in its cabinet meeting on Nov. 6. Restructuring of the state is failing once again. The ruling elite, being the main beneficiary of the overgrown state, will do their best to undermine any restructuring effort, as been happening in Pakistan for the last 50 years.
Opposition parties usually try to put the government in a tight spot when it follows an essential but not-so-popular economic programme. During Benazir Bhutto's second government (1993-96) the PML and its allies followed a well-designed strategy to paralyse the economic activity by "Payyah Jam," "Najaat Day" strikes and other tactics. Every month markets were forced to close for several days, damaging the economy beyond repair.
The opposition always adopts the statist view i.e., blaming the government for not protecting the weak and vulnerable sections through state institutions. However, none has asked questions about the state's capacity to solve these problems.
Ironically, everyone knows that the Pakistani state is overgrown, overbearing and dysfunctional: it cannot improve the conditions of the masses even if it wants to.
And while the bigwigs fight over how to downsize the country, many people continue to live without basic amenities.
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