Regime change in K-P?

The simmering row between Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and the federal government is a precursor to more political instability. The reported moves by the ruling coalition at the Center to dislodge the PTI dispensation in Peshawar are ill-advised.

The seasoned men at the helm in Islamabad should desist from any such brinkmanship. It is unfortunate that no lessons have been learnt from such bitter episodes of our chequered political history, as democracy and public representation are falling down the abyss. Thus, the evolving diatribe of regime change in K-P will not only have a severe political fallout, especially as the opposition is already pushed to the wall, but also grave ramifications for the restive province that is engaged in a showdown with non-state actors.

The opportunity to dismantle the PTI's two-third majority in K-P has arisen in the wake of the Constitutional Bench's decision on reserved seats. While the party has been stripped of its due share, the wafer-thin opposition in the provincial legislature is all set to grab 25 seats — something that emboldens them to usher in a change of guard by luring 35 more legislators into their ranks. But it goes without saying that this floor-crossing, under coercion, will breed discontent and instability. Other measures being contemplated are dissolution of the assembly and imposing Governor Rule. But such tactics — resorted to in Punjab, Balochistan and K-P in the past — are unlikely to stand in the court of law, or in public opinion.

The federation should avoid being judgmental on K-P government's performance, as it is not its cup of tea. The way ahead is to let the Gandapur government be on its own, and launch efforts to kickstart a dialogue for bringing down the political temperature. PTI's stance that it is open for talks should be responded to by the coalition in Islamabad with a sincere roadmap, which could entail redressing grievances of the party, especially release of political prisoners including former PM Imran Khan. Such a move would offset PTI's plans for agitation, and usher in a semblance of serenity.