PTI chairman Imran Khan has shown some flexibility, albeit reluctantly, in his stance towards the PML-N government. The government negotiators led by Punjab governor Mohammad Sarwar was told by his team that prime minister Nawaz Sharif must resign for 30 days to allow judicial commission constituted to investigate vote rigging allegations to work independently. The government team did not accept the PTI demand of PM's removal from his office for 30 days, terming it "illogical and hypothetical". Their talks, therefore, again ran into serious snags.
PTI Chairman Imran Khan's policy of brinkmanship has gone too far to cause serious worries inside and outside the country. First, it was the US State Department spokesperson who said her country supported "the constitutional and electoral process through which Nawaz Sharif became prime minister". Addressing his supporters at his party's sit-in Khan reacted angrily to the statement accusing the US of following double standards in dealing with the issue of alleged electoral fraud, telling the US not to interfere in this country's internal affairs. It indeed is an internal dispute that must be resolved by the country's own political forces.
Almost all the major political parties have thrown their weight behind the Prime Minister. The National Assembly passed a resolution in its Thursday's special session, rejecting PTI's demands for the PM's resignation and dissolution of the assembly itself. Again, Khan used dismissive language against the legislators, even deriding Mehmood Khan Achakzai-whom he normally describes as an upright politician-attributing the motive of a personal gain to him. The same day, representatives of the country's bar associations held a lawyers convention in Lahore where they passed a unanimous resolution, exhorting the 'Azadi' and 'Inqilab' marchers in Islamabad to take the constitutional course for the fulfilment of their demands. The legal fraternity's real apprehension is obvious from a warning directed to the judges of the superior courts against taking oath under PCO (provisional constitutional order) in case of any eventuality. What Imran fails to acknowledge is that people are genuinely worried that his inflexible attitude could push the democratic system to the brink of disaster.
Given this country's chequered political history politicians have to be extra careful not to push their disputes to the point that could lead to any kind of extra-constitutional intervention. Already, PTI and Tahirul Qadri's PAT have created a situation where the Army has begun to play a mediatory role advising all stakeholders to resolve the prevailing impasse with "patience, wisdom and, sagacity." Things being where they are now, other opposition parties have a special responsibility to try and break the deadlock. They have taken a united stand inside the National Assembly, but outside some of their members have been speaking with different voices. Politicians from other parties need to put their heads together and come up with a workable solution. While Imran has agreed to negotiate his demands he must step back from his maximalist position. Negotiations are always about give-and-take. He should ease his rigid stand and accept a solution that addresses every aspect of his core demands about making the electoral system fair and free. His prediction that if the situation is not resolved [to his liking] the third umpire will raise his finger can throw up a decision he might himself regret later. Former President and PPP co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari, who plays it safe and paints the walks a clearly neutral colour, has also expressed his opposition to the potential involvement of 'third umpire' in the current political turmoil. The cricketing hero-turned-politician may be thinking his disconcerting fast bowling would send the entire opposite team packing. Other players and the spectators are not so convinced. They worry the 'third umpire' may decide to replace the players and start a new game that few in this country are prepared to watch once again.
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