I TH an election date now on the calendar, the clock has started ticking. The individuals setting the agenda for national decision-making these days must realise that they cannot continue to ignore the deep political discontent bubbling just below the surface. Any attempt to forcefully dictate Pakistan`s political future to its people is unlikely to succeed given the pervasive distrust between the state and the people.

Behind the veneer of control and order, the deep structural faults in our politics, society and economy that have brought us to this point remain untouched. The country needs a credible leadership that can address this trifecta of challenges with public buy-in and support. Our present decision-makers, on the other hand, seem to be in danger of being lulled into a sense of adequacy on the back of their modest success in stabilising the economy.

It cannot be denied that a degree of economic stability has been achieved in recent months through targeted interventions in sensitive markets. It would also appear that the country is well-positioned to clear the ongoing IMF review and secure the next tranche under its Stand-By Arrangement with the lending agency. However, none of this should allow us to lose sight of the bigger picture. Given current economic conditions, Pakistan will need to enter a longer-term financing arrangement with the IMF within months. According to reports, any new deal with the agency will be subject to there being a legitimately elected government in place in Islamabad, with a strong public mandate to implement the deep reforms any future loan agreement will entail. Given recent political developments, it is speculated that we may see a coalition government similar to the PDM-led set-up that resigned in August. However, such an arrangement is unlikely to remain stable and will face stumbling blocks. The only viable path forward seems to be to hold a free and fair election to the satisfaction of the public. Doing so will place the onus firmly on the political parties to devise a turnaround plan for the country and deliver. It is time for the state to remove itself completely from the picture and let the politicians do their job. Its political experiment in 2018 created a mess; creating an even bigger mess in 2024 is not how it will be resolved.