On way to capital

It’s time for the political forces, including PTI, to look at the bigger picture of national interests

A massive power exponent is marching towards the federal capital. This mobilisation is in need of being dealt with in a political context, as it goes without saying that no amount of armtwisting will work at this juncture. The long march kicked off by former prime minister Imran Khan has gathered a significant response since its initiation, and if the snail pace movement is any criterion, it is set to take the roadmap of the planned route by storm.

Moreover, what made the real difference is the tone of the PTI chairman — who surprisingly came up with a passive narration, but with punches –hinting that he is leading for reforms of society and an independent governance format, and is not specifically inclined to send the sitting government packing. Likewise, his tongue-in-cheek references to the press conference of the spy chief and the DG ISPR, and his contention that he wants to strike a decent power balance and wishes to see an invincible army were olive branches of sorts at times of confrontation. The point is that masses are pouring onto the streets and that buckles up Khan’s narrative.

The long march with the passage of time is set to gather mass mobilisation, and rallies coming in from Balochistan, Azad Kashmir, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and GilgitBaltistan is expected to make a matrix of grave intensity. The government response to this day, unfortunately, has been relying on the administrative muscles, and browbeating the opposition with litigation and midnight knocks.

A jiff of fresh air, nonetheless, is evident as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has constituted a committee to negotiate with the PTI. But it is not clear whether that is meant to manage the long march or strike a political settlement to the pressing demand for holding general elections.

If it is for dissuading the march, then it is too little and too late. As Khan has resolved to stay away from the Red Zone in Islamabad and camp in the designated area by remaining peaceful all the way, it certainly will be buoyed with law and constitutional dictum. It’s time for the political forces, including the agitating PTI, to look at the bigger picture of national interests and settle down for a middle ground.

If the PTI wants immediate elections, and the PDM wants to complete its constitutional term which will finish around next August, there can be a negotiated settlement on the elections happening sometime in May-June. Opting for snap election could be a facesaving even for the battered coalition government, as it is in a fix at the hands of a strangulating economy and a divisive public opinion. With judiciary and armed forces manning their own forts, it would be better advised to stop before going over the brink