The curtain has come down on a conciliatory note as the PTI’s long march was called off on Thursday morning. It was a much-desired respite as the proposed sit-in at D-Chowk, which was a battleground overnight as police and protesters clashed, was called off. Imran Khan took a pause from agitation, and wrapped it up by delivering a six-day ultimatum to the government to dissolve the National Assembly and announce polls. Apparently, a lot of persuasion and necessary guarantees from the powers-that-be had led to the climb-down. While it remains to be seen what measures the government adopts to pacify the opposition in order to avoid another showdown on the streets, the tendency to talk it out and iron out differences amicably is most welcome.
The Supreme Court deserves commendation for ensuring that none of the confronting parties went over the brink. Its directives for the government to desist from administrative highhandedness, remove blockades, release political activists, and enable the PTI to assemble and disperse peacefully by avoiding a sit-in had made better sense prevail. Likewise, on Thursday morning the five-member bench exhibited utmost magnanimity as it dismissed a petition filed by the government seeking contempt proceedings against Khan, and urged both parties to abide by law and stop being judgmental. The honourable chief justice said the bench had not been formed to accuse anyone but to protect constitutional rights. That was a generous approach in tense and divisive times. The court superbly tried to establish trust between the parties involved, and made efforts to protect citizens’ constitutionally guaranteed rights. The preemptive proceedings as a mediator, well before the long march started, made the difference.
The onus is now on the political parties to address the soaring polarisation and economic downslide by strictly adhering to rule of law and constitution. While the PTI demands early elections, the coalition government looks keen to complete the term or at least do it at a time of its choosing. There is need for the two parties to narrow down this difference as much as possible. An amicable consensus could rid the nation of the ensuing turmoil and save an economic collapse.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 27th, 2022.
Like Opinion & Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ