Get back from the brink

It is always good to return from the brink. The message from the incarcerated former Prime Minister, Imran Khan, urging the military establishment to turn ‘neutral’ in political affairs is no less than a stride towards positivity. This hints at landscaping for a possible reconciliation between the beleaguered PTI and the powers-that-be, between whom there is a war of attrition going on, as they do not see from the same prism. The olive branch through the jailed leader’s sister, Aleema Khan, makes it all the more credible, and coincides with similar friendly messaging from party’s secretary general, a day ago, at a time when the chips are down and PTI stalwarts are in the thick for their alleged digital activism against the order of the day.

The PTI leader’s submission, however, is nothing new. Khan’s narrative has been that organs of the state should work as per their constitutional dictates, avoiding head-on collisions, as has been a norm in our checkered history. But what makes this new message attention-grabber is that he has blamed the ruling dispensation for creating misunderstanding between the PTI and the military leadership. Prima facie, this could be a great getaway to start looking anew by burying the hatchet. Signs of a thaw and PTI regaining its political space are evident as after trials and tribulations, the party has finally been designated as a parliamentary entity in the legislature by the Election Commission. The majority decision of the apex court on reserved seats in PTI’s favour has led to some ice-melting, and should be seized as an opportunity in disaster to usher in political stability.

The reiteration from the PTI leader that May 9 vandalisers should stand trial necessitates an impartial and judicious investigation. The accused should have a fair trial, and culprits brought to book. Rather than doing so, the ruling PMLN-PPP combine has sat in judgment and used this as a ploy to foment bad-blood, and that is what is at the root of all ills. Time to hear out the majority in the woods and let the discord come to an end.