Hope and turmoil

P olitics is in a state of flux. Political stakeholders are in a guessing game, and the modus operandi is one step ahead, two steps back. Former prime minister Imran Khan, too, seems to be introspecting his ways and means as he gears up for his proposed final phase of agitation against the PDM government.

His stopping short of announcing a timeline to march on the federal capital, despite pressure generated from his rallies countrywide, is an indicator that dialogue has a room, and he himself is aware that street vandalism will add to the economic uncertainty. Thus, his conditional consent to return to the parliament, on the illustrious advice of the Chief Justice of Pakistan, hints at the somber picture in the making. The buck, however, stops at the demand from Khan that the Supreme Court should initiate a judicial probe into the cipher that came from Washington and allegedly led to his ouster.

Whether the apex court can interfere in a foreign policy matter, and that too which is directly related to national security, is the lone question that is doing the rounds. But all said and done, there must be a way out to defuse the standoff and reach a logical solution to the ensuing crises at home. But for the PTI it is tantamount to rolling back its entire anti-government momentum – something that could backfire in public domain where Khan is at the zenith of his popularity. The good point is that political parties, notwithstanding their radical postures, are seriously contemplating a middle ground to usher in stability.

The possibilities of going into general elections, extending the sitting army chief’s tenure till the nation goes to poll, and coming up with an interim order are cards on the table, and there is much give and take that will follow in days and weeks to come. The focus, however, should not be lost on rehabilitating the flood victims and stemming the economy, which too is going down the deluge. Enough politics is evident and the recent audio leaks related to the PM House stand to add to the turmoil.