Need for national dialogue

The Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), an alliance of 11 opposition parties, kicked off its campaign from Gujranwala, the stronghold of PML-N, to seek the ouster of PTI government. But the PDM’s real objective, as claimed by their leadership, is to restore the rule of law and Constitution in the country. PM Imran Khan is convinced the opposition movement is only meant for seeking an NRO-type deal that was issued by the Musharraf regime in 2007 to give amnesty to politicians from corruption charges as part of a deal with PPP. The opposition parties contest this claim and insist their fight is not for seeking amnesty but to restore the real democratic order where civilian governments exercise full authority. Former PM Nawaz Sharif stated their fight is not against PM Imran but against those who brought him to power. Nawaz’s speech, which was blacked out by the mainstream media, is a clear indication the situation appears to have reached a point of no return.

The battle lines are drawn, even though the government is playing down the PDM agitation. Opposition leaders are confident the current government will go by early next year. It’s certainly part of the psychological war. The PTI government as of now is not facing an immediate threat. There are limited options for opposition parties to seek the ouster of PM Imran. If he resigns under pressure that is another matter but that is not going to happen. The trump card opposition parties may use is to resign from the national and all provincial assemblies. Given the strength of opposition lawmakers, particularly in the National Assembly, there would certainly be a political crisis in the country. Why then did the opposition keep this option as a last resort knowing well if they invoked it right away, the government would be in great trouble? The reason for this is that the opposition parties, through their protest movement, may have been seeking negotiations with the power that be or those who run the system. The tone and tenor of these leaders suggest that they are not ready to work under the current rules of engagements. The opposition fears that if the current rules of the game are not renegotiated, they may stay out of the political game for a longer period.

Amidst this political uncertainty, the common man is suffering. The PTI government has failed to turn around the economy. Prices of essential commodities are getting out of reach even for middle income people. PM Imran took notice of the price hike several times and chaired numerous meetings but there is no change on ground. The situation will only worsen if there is political uncertainty and instability because of the opposition-government confrontation. Not to mention the IMF programme. Economists are convinced if Pakistan has to restore the bailout programme, it has to accept stringent conditions that would further increase inflation in the country. The country is also facing internal and external security challenges. Terrorist attacks in the erstwhile tribal region as well as Balochistan taking precious lives are a grim reminder of the gravity of internal security challenges. The external enemies would be happy to see this situation. The question is what is the way forward? If someone says there is no political crisis in the country surely he is living in a fool’s paradise. Therefore, all stakeholders need to acknowledge this bitter reality. The challenges we are confronted with can only be overcome if there is a consensus on the minimum agenda. That is only possible through negotiations. As is often said that ultimately every issue has to be resolved through talks. The choice is ours — should we first wait for the chaos to realise this or preempt it? National dialogue is the need of the hour. Period!

Published in The Express Tribune, October 19^th, 2020.

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