Step back and rethink

What kind of an impression we are creating

The army has reaffirmed its support for democracy. It has simultaneously called for a political solution “without wasting any time and without recourse to violent means”. On Monday the Islamabad administration vowed to protect the ‘innocent protesters’ and promised ‘never to use excessive force against them’. Within hours the protesters forcibly entered the PTV premises and interrupted the broadcasting while Qadri announced that victory had been won and only remained to be announced. As the army was called in to get the PTV building vacated, the lawbreakers left the premises. As no attempt was made to hand them over to police this led to surmises.

The government still has the backing of the Parliament. The multi-party conference convened by JI Amir Sirajul Haq has called for resolving issues through talks. It would be pity if Sharif was to go under despite the support provided to him by virtually the entire opposition. Instead of relying solely on the kitchen cabinet which has led him to a blind alley, the PM needs to take on board the opposition before taking any major decisions.

What Javed Hashmi said about Imran Khan implies that the ongoing protests were choreographed by the powers that be. Further that the ongoing stalemate was deliberately created to overthrow an elected government and dissolve the Parliament. The PTI has rejected the accusations and issued a charge sheet to Hashmi. If the unfolding events substantiate the charge, Imran Khan who was fast emerging as a national leader would be reduced to a pygmy irrespective of the outcome of the present crisis. The ISPR has denied that Sharif was advised to resign by the COAS who called on the PM on Monday. Sharif has meanwhile announced that he will neither resign nor go on leave. The PTI and PAT, the military and the government must not take the fight to a point where the world starts thinking that those running a nuclear state are utterly irresponsible.