The room for a new political party in Pakistan certainly exists, but proponents of any new association will need an aggressive governance reform agenda, that can be sold well to people in order to capture their imagination. A move towards that end has already been made; however, its patrons appear unsure of whether the launch date should be before or after the January elections.

It is no secret that the patrons of ‘Reimagining Pakistan’, a platform launched last year to discuss “the actionable improvement of Pakistan”, are working on forming a new political party.

Its frontrunners — former PPP senator Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar, former prime minister and estranged N-leaguer Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, and former finance minister Miftah Ismail — have dropped many direct and indirect hints in the last few weeks that the launch of this yet-to-be-christened party is near. Yet, its patrons still appear unsure of whether the launch date should be before or after the coming general election.

Sources tell Dawn this is because of several factors. One key reason is that the patrons have gauged the mood of the establishment and have a sense that its support to PML-N come election would hurt their chances. “In that case, the odds would be stacked against any new party,” one person familiar with the developments said.

Some term the venture ‘political suicide’; for others ‘Reimagining Pakistan’ enjoys required backing

It is understood that the yet-to-be-launched party’s patrons are having very early conversations with members of other parties. They are confident that “sensible members” of all three major political parties will join, and currently their estimate is that “up to 17 credible people” would be persuaded to join ahead of the launch.

There is even talk of some PTI candidates not contesting in some constituencies after an understanding with the new party in areas where they field candidates.

The party, which its patrons hope will be a response to “family parties” PPP and PML-N and the “one-man show” of PTI, would work to empower local governments, bring major reforms in the country and create opportunities for working class individuals.

Will it work?

One PML-N leader on condition of anonymity told Dawn they would be committing political suicide.

“What they say about economic and social development makes total sense, but I have told them: it’s very difficult to break the current party system. Even if they launch, how will they challenge the hold these dynastic parties have had on the ground for the last few decades?”

The politician added, “Most people in the general public don’t even realise how deep in trouble we are as a country — even the leaders of our existing parties just barely understand how bad the crisis is! Why would they jump into this? This platform should remain a pressure group. But as a party, they will be finished.”

Speaking to Dawn, electoral observer and joint director at the Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency, Aasiya Riaz said, “Of course there will be challenges [if the party is launched], the biggest being lack of charisma given how our politics tends to work.”

“The room for a new party is actually there. They have been aggressively facilitating public opinion polling to gauge public opinion. They will need an aggressive governance reform agenda that can be sold well to the public in order to capture people’s imagination,” she added.

Political commentators and those observing the developing situation closely, doubt about any prospects for the new political party and that too which lacks people with “charisma, history of anti-establishment struggle and qualities to become a public figure.”

‘Zero’ without Nawaz

For senior journalist Sohail Waraich, despite all competence, professionalism and background filled with successful ventures, Mr Abbasi’s political career sans Nawaz Sharif is “zero”.

“If you see the [political] rise of Shahid Khaqan Abbasi from contesting elections to premiership, it’s all due to PML-N and Nawaz Sharif,” he pointed out. “The same thing goes with Miftah Ismail. They are known in politics only because of Nawaz Sharif. No one questions Mr Abbasi’s competence. He’s a competent and upright man but it’s also a fact that he doesn’t have that charisma of leadership. I don’t see any prospects for their own party.”

Mr Waraich also “wondered” over the plans of Mr Abbasi for another interesting “historic fact”. He called the former prime minister’s political career relied solely on “politics of pro-establishment” and it’s surprising for many to see him turn anti-establishment for his own proposed party.

“I remember when Imran Khan was the prime minister, he was often quoted by his friends in the cabinet that he only took two opposition men as serious challenge while being in the government only because of their close contacts and understanding with the establishment. Those two men were Shehbaz Sharif and Shahid Khaqan Abbasi,” said Mr Waraich.

Imran Ayub in Karachi also contributed to this report

Published in Dawn, October 23th, 2023