An air of despondency pervades the country as both sides - the PML-N Government and Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) - have entered into a blame-game for breakdown of talks. Both are using seemingly weighty arguments to strengthen their standpoints. But at the same time, both sides are expressing optimism over the prospects of a stalled dialogue process. Caught between them are the bewildered and confused citizens who want to see an end to this uncertainty anytime soon. Insofar as businesses are concerned, businesspeople have adopted a wait-and-see attitude. Foreign investors already on the ground are worried and others are now looking elsewhere for higher security for their investment.
Politicians in the process are earning a bad name while democracy is being cursed all around as the economic indicators continue to plunge. Accountability is a fundamental requirement of good governance. People should be able to follow and understand the decision-making processes with a view to asking questions whether certain government decisions are consistent with relevant law. Hence, the need for a transparent dialogue to resolve this protracted political impasse that has shaken the foundations of the existing system. The government feels that they can wait out this sit-in which they feel has not stopped the wheels of the economy and eager ministers point towards the ongoing hustle-bustle in shopping malls; while PTI is feeling a strong infusion of adrenalin after its highly successful public meeting in Karachi. Its leadership believes that the forthcoming Lahore meeting would be a 'gamechanger'. Both sides at the same time claim that they were close to finalization before the talks collapsed on account of non-serious attitude of the other side. Without placing blame on any of them, we feel that there is no option but to restart the dialogue process and come to a settlement for the greater good of all.
Moreover, the urge to blame each other to strengthen their arguments need not be couched in bad language that would vitiate the atmosphere further as such badmouthing may haunt them when they face each other. It needs to be remembered that this is the information age. Almost everything is recorded, protected and preserved for posterity. So there is a need to refrain from getting agitated and resorting to false accusations or making promises that cannot be kept in future as the media will be there to remind them. Any attempt aimed at hoodwinking or tiring out one another or indulging in a battle of wits needs to be avoided. Similarly, appearing on television to beat the opponent in a verbal duel or a shouting match is neither helpful nor desirable. If politicians cannot or are unwilling to work out some compromise then they would be inviting intervention from outside which is the last thing the people will desire. Both sides need to hold a dialogue among themselves and the opposition 'jirga' must play a more aggressive role to bring both sides back to the negotiating table and facilitate their negotiations as 'guarantors' to the final deal on the contours of the next general election.
There is a dispute on what constitutes vote rigging. The description given in existing electoral laws needs to be updated since it has given rise to finger-pointing. Only the parliament can play a role in undertaking amendments in the election laws. Nothing stops the existing majority to introduce amendments acceptable to all sides to show good faith. The existing trust deficit between PML (N) leadership and PTI leaders must be bridged. That is the challenge that needs to be overcome for future generations, succeeding generations and those who come just after us. Although, softness is not something permitted of good leaders, both Nawaz and Imran are required to demonstrate good grace as a consequence of being tolerant. How ironic, however, it is that there was no despondency when the 2013 general elections gave birth to the present parliament; nor was there hope when the recently concluded joint sitting of this highest legislature of the country held a discussion on the current political impasse with a view to resolving it.
Comments
Comments are closed.