Need for consensus

Unless there is national consensus on key issues confronting a country, there can be no progress. And that’s no revelation. Unfortunately though, national consensus continues to defy us on two of our foremost challenges: the re-emergence of terrorism in the country, particularly in Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa; and a tanking economy faced with a serious threat of default on foreign payments. While the situation is indeed threatening on both counts and making headlines in the international media, the PDM coalition government and the PTI-led opposition representing nearly the entire political leadership — appear more concerned about personal political gains. The two sides are locked in a political duel over the powerful Punjab throne, as well as letting each other down at the Centre.

With the two challenges getting menacing by the day, another major stakeholder in the context — the security establishment — has sought to raise alarm. Army chief Gen Asim Munir has — while addressing at a departmental event on Saturday — called for “the development of national consensus by all stakeholders to sail through the confronted challenges of economy and terrorism” warning that “Pakistan is passing through one of her most critical junctures”.

The Army Chief’s call coincides with the release of a report by a local think-tank that says that December turned out to be the deadliest month for Pakistan during which more than two dozen terrorist attacks were witnessed, among a total of 376 in the whole year. It also follows reports that the foreign exchange reserves held by the State Bank of Pakistan have fallen below $5.8 billion — barely enough to support one month’s imports — for the first time since April 2014.

Gen Munir’s call for consensus need to be taken in all seriousness, and a grand dialogue initiated on an urgent basis so as to come up with unanimous stance on both pressing challenges as early as possible. It goes without saying that the nation can afford no more delays.