Returned hurt

Imran Khan returned hurt but is set to resume his long march towards Islamabad

Imran Khan is returned hurt. But he is set to resume his long march towards Islamabad, if the courage and conviction exhibited by his party-mates is any criterion. It is unfortunate that violence is taking roots in Pakistan, and the attack on the former prime minister by an unknown and insane shooter is condemnable. The cavalcade on wheels on its way to the federal capital came under fire, and many PTI stalwarts were injured. Reports say there is a casualty, too. Luckily, the PTI chief survived the assassination attempt, but is maimed as bullets have hit his legs. The attack, in no time, became world news as media across the board simply made a case as to how unstable is the political situation, and upping the ante as a consequence of this shootout. It is a serious lapse, indeed.

The most solacing aspect is that the PTI and other political forces were seen on the same page as condemnations poured in. The Prime Minister, who is visiting China, castigated the attack, and called for a thorough probe. Likewise, a spokesperson for the armed forces censured the attack and expressed sympathy with Mr Khan. Last but not least, the sense of responsibility exhibited by the caravan on the move by shifting the injured to the hospital and, moreover, by overpowering the assailant is appreciated. The fact that the mob did not resort to vandalism in the wake of the attack, and there were no reports of violence is a good omen, and this will act as detriment to elements who wanted to stir extreme unrest and chaos.

The long march was in the eye of the storm for long. The blame-game underway between the PTI and the coalition government, as the latter went on to lay a siege to Islamabad by barricading it with containers, and deploying more than 15,000 police and paramilitary personnel is disgusting. It had already taken the situation to nervousness, and people are keeping their fingers crossed over what’s next to come. Similarly, the series of pressers had pushed the political situation to the brink, and in the absence of a thaw, lawlessness and extra-constitutional measures were seen as viable outcomes.

It’s time to step back from the brink. Pakistanis are in need of a political solution to the mess at hand. It is evident that no amount of arm-twisting and legal maneuvering had worked, as Khan and his PTI are seen adamant in pushing their one-point objective of seeking fresh general elections. Thus, rationality demands that both sides should take a pause, and settle down for a huddle and that too away from the glare of the media. Assurances from either side to stick to law and the constitution will act as the much desired consolation in this nail-biting scenario. Apart from holding a genuine probe to fish out the real culprits behind the Wazirabad attack, the government can certainly win the confidence of the masses by kick-starting an unconditional dialogue.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 4^th, 2022.

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