Presidency pearls

The head of the state has made some pertinent points, and he is in need of being heard. President Dr Arif Alvi, while offering the forum of his impartial office, has called for a composite dialogue among political stakeholders so that the persisting polarisation and economic downslide could be addressed in a holistic manner. There can’t be two opinions over it and, as the symbol of the federation, he definitely has a role to play and it is good to learn that an apt process is underway in the right direction.

Dr Alvi’s hint at opting for an early election to do away with the governance discord, and his rationale was supplemented with examples from recent history. He cited as to how the present dispensation, as well as the apex court, had time and again preferred going to early ballot, and questioned as to why the same can’t be opted for to scale down animosity in the political spheres. If the recent high profile meetings, as reported by media, are any criterion, ice should be seen melting in days and weeks ahead.

The president has sought some critical attention towards national issues that demand a detailed puzzle-solving approach. The nomination of the next army chief tops the agenda, and it is high time the government and the opposition exhibited their wisdom for upholding one of the finest and professional national institutions in high esteem. Rather than politicising the new incumbent, it is better advised to cross the bridge on a consensual note.

Other simmering issues such as probing the cipher and introducing a fair and transparent ballot mechanism, by opting for electronic voting machines, was never lost on the acumen of the head of the federation. But what sent a message of harmony and prudence to Pakistan’s foreign relations is the observation from the president that he does not smell a rat of foreign conspiracy in dislodging the government of Imran Khan. This will be closely debated and introspected on the political canvas, and it’s high time for the Supreme Court also to look into it for resting the controversy in all solemnity.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 12^th, 2022.

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