Polls may not be open for another two months, but the political camps are buzzing as they launch and relaunch effective campaigns to win the lion’s share on February 8. The screws are turning fast and the machinery seems well-oiled to click into gear. Amid the usual splash of fiery accusations, political scions are trying their level best to carve a niche for themselves. Youth has become a heated buzzword as almost every banter pertains to the development of the said national asset. Struggling to grow in the shadows of their parents, both Maryam Nawaz and Bilawal Bhutto Zardari are charming jalsagahs here and commanding rallies there but the mainstream leaders have yet to come up with a quantifiable manifesto that encapsulates the essence of a shining campaign. There is swirling chatter of empty seats haunting their appearances in Jalalpurjattan and Lower Dir in what can be called irrefutable evidence of dwindling public profile. And why wouldn’t it? Campaigns hell-bent on pointing out who’s riding on the promised ride seem to have conveniently left out the emphasis on the masses and their daily battles. With almost all energy squandered on pointing out who’s set to thrive under the good graces, none of the political parties have to date unrolled an agenda that would hit at the inflation genie, whip up investment numbers and have a stab at the energy crisis. Meanwhile, the elders have their eyes set on the tried-and-tested power-sharing formula. After hammering out a seat arrangement in Sindh, Balochistan and Central Punjab, the House of Sharifs is determined to procure a green light from the recently-minted IPP. Although President Aleem Khan may be blowing hot and cold on the issue, the coming days are bound to translate into a camaraderie of sorts. Now, how does that resonate with deafening calls for a “level playing field” from Adiyala Jail and the Zardari camp remains to be seen? Since Junior Zardari has repeatedly made a case for the inclusion of all political players to ensure the spirit of democracy, a union might land on the cards, after all. Alliances or not, none of the mainstream parties seem to realise a crippling challenge to the national image. As they continue to participate in a zero-sum game, little to no attention is paid to the implications of their fiery rumblings on Pakistan’s standing in the international community. Every chaotic episode adds to the world’s apprehensions about our political faultlines. Add to that the dark cloud hanging over one of the most prized democratic exercises, and we are in for yet another storm of unflattering optics. *