Time to talk it out

The government has extended a fresh olive branch to the opposition. This new talks offer has come from the Advisor to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs, Rana Sanaullah, in response to a fiery speech on the floor of the Upper House by the Leader of the Opposition in Senate, Raja Nasir Abbas, wherein he demanded the formation of a parliamentary committee to meet the incarcerated former prime minister, Imran Khan, and examine his health condition.

Sanaullah's hint at a grand huddle to "strengthen and take forward" the 2006 Charter of Democracy is worth appreciating. In fact, that is the way to go and the opposition, led by the PTI, must respond positively. The PTI's thrust, especially of Imran Khan, to talk it out with the "real power wielders" is apparently based on the premise that the sitting government lacks a mandate to enter into a dialogue and take major decisions.

Well, that is a reality to a great extent as the PMLN-PPP combine has been seen exercising delaying tactics on the question of relief to the opposition. Even the sensitive issue of the PTI leader's soaring eye infection has not been handled with due attention and care. His visits to hospital in the shadows of darkness, without the consent of family and personal physicians, have put the government in a bad light, leaving little faith in the fresh offer of talks making any progress. Previous such offers too failed to materialise because the government fell short of fostering the required confidence building with the opposition.

An instant way for rapprochement could be to comply with the court orders on Khan's health; allow lawful room to the opposition to seek relief from courts; and subsequently release all political prisoners. The need of the hour is to rewrite a new social contract to strengthen civil supremacy, repealing all amendments that had defaced the 1973 Constitution, and jotting down a long-term economic policy. The treasury and the opposition have no recourse but to put their heads together and take step to usher in political stability at a time when the chips are down at home, and external threats are knocking on the door.