The closer Pakistan gets to the general elections this summer, the more chaotic the country’s political narrative gets. It seems like all political and institutional forces are supporting their own agendas. Each has its crosshairs set on their own target, which reflects the immature and biased nature of politics in this country — which often results in the mishandling of crucial socio-political issues. While mainstream political parties push their own narrative, the judiciary and other institutions meant to bring about accountability are writing their own history. This situation contributes to the emerging socio-political narrative, which is not very judicial and could presumably lead to further anarchy in an already chaotic society. In the midst of all this, two distinct perspectives are gaining traction. The first one is related to the judiciary’s recently initiated activism, and the other is the increasing empathy for the PML-N, which is a result of steps taken against their top leadership for offences that the leadership of other mainstream parties are also guilty of. Kicking the PML-N out of the Senate elections has been termed another step towards an undemocratic climax. This is a hazard to this country’s juvenile democracy, which has already endured many blows over the past three years The opinion that the judiciary’s political activism is not devoid of a planned process meant to exclude certain political elements from Pakistan’s political playing field is becoming increasingly popular. Kicking the PML-N out of the Senate elections has been termed another step towards an undemocratic climax. This is a hazard to this country’s juvenile democracy, which has already endured many blows over the past three years. International watchdog agencies have shown grave concerns about Pakistan’s future as a republic. They have also pointed out the illegal interventions of other state institutions and non-state actors. This Monday, Senate Chairman Mian Raza Rabbani termed the expulsion of PML-N from the Senate elections a setback for Pakistan’s political system. He was of the view that the democratic process should continue and that all political forces should take part in the Senate elections in order for them to have legitimacy. Whichever political party has representation in the assemblies has the right to have representation in the Senate as well. In fact, the PML-N’s expulsion from the senate election has only exacerbated the ongoing confrontation between the higher judiciary and the ruling party. Of course, the country cannot afford anymore instability at the moment. Yet our state institutions continue to push us further towards chaos. That the judiciary has only singled out one political party reflects its bias. There is no reason to differ with the chairman Senate Mian Raza Rabbani that the civil bureaucracy, military, and judiciary should also be held accountable and politicians alone should not be persecuted under the guise of accountability. There should be a single court and a single law for accountability of the judiciary, other state institutions and political forces. This selective accountability has created many doubts on the performance and mandate of state institutions. There shall be no encroachment of authority used to damage the rights and mandate of the other state institution. This would hamper the stability and steadiness of the state itself. Undoubtedly, accountability across the board is getting more and more imperative with every passing day. There is a need for a larger consensus among state institutions to have only one accountability system for all the state institutions. Impartiality and extreme professionalism should be the only required merit to bring individuals on board in the courts and other accountability platforms. The laws and mandate of the National Accountability Bureau must be reviewed as there is an increasing need to expand its jurisdiction. Even laymen question why there are different parameters and systems for the so-called accountability of people in different sectors and institutions. Politicians at large are subject to every trial publically with little exception of accountability of bureaucracy. The encroachment of state institutions in the name of accountability shall not cause any further damage to the democracy. The yard stick shall be the same for justice for all the ‘culprits’ in any state institution. Everyone must respect the vote of the people — which is the backbone of democracy. The participation and ownership of people is the strength of every state institution, not only the democracy or the executive or the legislature. We see the judiciary and military nowhere without the ownership and acceptance of the decisions by the general people. The writer is an Islamabad-based policy advocacy, strategic communication and outreach expert. He can be reached at devcom.pakistan@gmail.com. He tweets @EmmayeSyed Published in Daily Times, February 28th 2018.