By Sarah Nazir

Political uncertainty is often described as the breeding ground for societal unease and collective distress. In societies where political milieu lacks stability and predictability, the anxiety of the populace grows as individuals grapple with feelings of helplessness and fear of the unknown. The erosion of trust in institutions, coupled with a lack of clarity about the future, creates fertile conditions for social anxiety to take root. In Pakistan, this phenomenon has become particularly pronounced in recent years, as the political turbulence surrounding the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party and its confrontational approach to state institutions has pushed the country into an era of unprecedented uncertainty. The cascading effects of these political dynamics are felt not only in the corridors of power but also in the homes, workplaces, and communities of everyday citizens.

The roots of this political uncertainty can be traced back to the ousting of Imran Khan from office in April 2022 through a parliamentary no-confidence vote. What followed was an aggressive counter-narrative by PTI, which painted this removal as a foreign-backed conspiracy and rallied its supporters to take to the streets in protest. Khan’s messaging, which often framed the conflict as a struggle between "corrupt elites" and the will of the people, resonated deeply with his base but also polarized the nation. The resulting environment of relentless agitation, legal battles, and mass mobilizations created a sense of perpetual crisis, where governance and policymaking took a backseat to political theatrics.

As PTI ramped up its protests and public rallies, often culminating in violent clashes with law enforcement, the state was forced to respond with measures that many critics deemed excessive. These necessary legal actions, while framed by the government as obligatory to maintain order, contributed to a sense of insecurity in the larger context. Citizens found themselves caught in the crossfire of a power struggle by the PTI and the legal discourse of the state that seemed to have no clear resolution. Public spaces became fraught with tension, and even digital platforms like social media reflected the divisive and antagonistic nature of the conflict.

The economic dimension of this uncertainty further compounded the anxiety of ordinary Pakistanis. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and other financial bodies have repeatedly expressed concerns that political instability in Pakistan threatens the implementation of critical economic reforms. The delays and disruptions caused by political unrest have exacerbated inflation, unemployment, and poverty, leaving citizens struggling to make ends meet. For many, the convergence of economic hardship and political chaos creates a daily reality defined by stress and fear.

Socially, the implications of this turmoil are profound. Research has shown that uncertainty in political systems is strongly correlated with increased prevalence of mental health disorders, particularly anxiety. In Pakistan, where access to mental health resources is already limited, the ongoing instability has left many citizens feeling isolated and overwhelmed. The constant barrage of alarming news, coupled with the polarization of society along political lines, has eroded communal bonds and fostered a climate of mistrust. People increasingly perceive those with opposing political views as adversaries, further deepening the divisions within society.

What makes PTI’s role in this crisis particularly significant is the party’s calculated use of confrontational politics as a tool for gaining leverage. While democratic opposition is a legitimate and even necessary feature of any functioning political system, PTI’s tactics have frequently crossed the line into outright provocation. The party’s leadership has employed rhetoric that not only challenges the legitimacy of the current government but also undermines faith in the judiciary, the military, and other state institutions. By mobilizing its supporters to directly confront these institutions, PTI has effectively forced the state into a position where harsh responses seem unavoidable.

The consequences of this dynamic are far-reaching. As the state intensifies its measures to curtail PTI’s activities—whether through arrests, bans on public rallies, or restrictions on bias ridden media coverage—it inadvertently fuels the very narrative of victimhood and persecution that PTI uses to galvanize its base. This feedback loop of provocation and repression creates an environment where social anxiety is not merely an unintended byproduct but a central feature of the political strategy. Ordinary citizens, meanwhile, are left to navigate a landscape where uncertainty dominates every aspect of life, from economic stability to personal safety.

In conclusion, the political uncertainty in Pakistan, largely driven by PTI’s aggressive and confrontational approach, has become a primary driver of social anxiety. Far from being a passive victim of state repression, PTI’s actions have played a significant role in destabilizing the political order and forcing the state to take increasingly drastic measures. This cycle of action and reaction has left the public trapped in a vortex of fear and instability, with no clear end in sight. The party’s strategy of challenging the state at every turn may resonate with its core supporters, but it also risks deepening the divisions within society and prolonging the uncertainty that fuels collective anxiety. In the end, it is the people of Pakistan who bear the heaviest burden of this unrelenting political conflict.

*Opinions expressed in this article are the writer's own and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of The South Asia Times