Rising political heat

The PTI is in a pushback mode as it is pushed to the wall. The highhandedness and extrajudicial measures that the party is being subjected to are uncalled for, and are quite unbecoming of a civil and democratic order. The fact that family members and lawyers are not being allowed to meet Imran Khan as well as the recent manhandling of the incarcerated former PM's sisters by police outside the Adiala Jail has upped the ante.

Moreover, the mysterious obstruction that K-P Chief Minister Sohail Afridi faces in meeting Khan, despite the court orders, is compelling the opposition to take to the streets. This rise in political temperature, set off by government excesses, is in utter bad taste and deserves leniency by law. Afridi, in a letter addressed to his Punjab counterpart, Maryam Nawaz, has humbly and lawfully brought to her notice, her administration's extra-zealousness in obstructing justice.

Maryam must respond in grace and make the most of this opportunity to set in a thaw. The Punjab CM herself has been through such ordeals while being part of the opposition, and this necessitates generous feedback by letting the PTI have its due political space. That would not only stem the deteriorating political environment, as the opposition mulls a countrywide protest, but also address the prerequisites of lawful governance. The Punjab government is in need of complying with judicial dictum, and there aren't any two opinions in it.

This evolving standoff and the discrimination being meted out to the opposition should come to an end. Likewise, the ruling coalition is at a failure as it refuses to duly notify Mehmood Achakzai as the Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly. Allowing that will help in engaging the opposition on the floor of the house and create reliable channels for a well-deserved dialogue. The PTI too must rescind from its tough positions and make room for a congenial outcome. Afridi's earnest plea through his letter has put Maryam in the spotlight. She must exhibit largesse to stand tall in adversity.