We, here at this newspaper, stand with the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) as the latter cautions against the “blatant, aggressive and unabashed” attempts to manipulate upcoming poll results. We particularly support the HRCP when it points out an inconvenient truth. Namely, that the electoral participation of a resurgent and violent religious right as well as certain proscribed outfits have emboldened militant groups like the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and ISIS into having a ‘say’ in determining the July 25 outcome. The carnage unleashed by these players left around 180 dead last week alone; in three separate attacks on political rallies. Indeed, the violence continued this week with yet another strike against the secular Awami National Party (ANP), in which Central Vice President Senator Muhammad Daud Khan Achakzai survived an assassination bid in Balochistan. No group has thus far claimed responsibility. Nevertheless, in their own bloody and brutal way, militants are trying to level the playing field. In short, they are challenging the prevailing narrative. One which provides that those who appear on global terror lists; or those who celebrate a man who gunned down a provincial governor and whose leaders incited the (non-fatal) shooting of a sitting Interior minister are being gently eased into the electoral fray. Pakistanis were assured that the militant-mainstreaming project would moderate views as particular groups downed arms in favour of the ballot. Yet as was inevitable, this simply opened a veritable Pandora’s Box. And even when the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) intervened to refuse to register known militants – the latter, as if by magic, put into force a foolproof back-up plan. Involving contesting polls on the tickets of little known religious parties that had already been entertained by the ECP. Thus from the perspective of groups like the TTP and ISIS, this represents a most unfair advantage. What Pakistan therefore has to look forward to in the coming days, as the elections enter the final furlong, is an all-out turf war. Between groups that share not overtly dissimilar ideologies; the primary difference focusing on the perceived legitimacy of the state. Political parties across the great divide, for their part, are determined that voting must go ahead according to schedule. For any delay will hand the terrorists a resounding victory. And while this is a view that we support, we cannot help but worry: at what cost? After all, the country is currently witnessing a return to the false dichotomy that pits ‘good’ militants against ‘bad’. None of which bodes well for either citizenry or state. The priority must be a country that is at peace with its neighbours. This means doing away with reliance on certain proxies to conduct foreign policy behind-the-scenes. It is the job of the state apparatus to counter extremism. Not legitimise it. That this has not happened means that, to borrow the words of the HRCP, Pakistan is poised to hold the “dirtiest election” in its history. And it is a price for which the entire country will pay dearly. * Published in Daily Times, July 17th 2018.