Both Nawaz Sharif and Imran Khan have a chance to make it work
From shutting down big cities and finally the entire country, Imran Khan has come down to holding protests and blocking only the arteries of various cities. He does not insist on closing businesses and stopping the traffic. The children could go to schools and the employees to their workplaces. This is a far cry from the total closures initially visualised. The hawkish government ministers who are all the time on the lookout for an opportunity to pounce upon Imran Khan have suddenly gone on the backfoot. The ‘no talks under threat’ mantra was heard no more once Nawaz Sharif agreed to hold talks.
There is no shortage of hawkish elements in the PTI or the PML-N. Many think their presence has kept the pot boiling and that an understanding between the two sides might have been possible if these elements had been kept by the leadership at bay. Fiery statements from one side invariably lead to the effluence of the reserve of arrogance on the other side. The tendencies feed each other. The hawks play upon the survival instinct of their leadership which is convinced that it would be a loser if it did not give a tit for every tat. This pushes the system towards the brink.
A look at the CVs of various leaders of PTI would bear out that most of them have never taken part in any agitation, let alone the type of “gherao, jalao” advocated by the Awami Muslim League chief. In case the two leaders take the initiative, the barrier between the two sides can be broken. Being the head of the government Nawaz Sharif has a greater responsibility to act to put an end to the standoff. The prime minister could once again ask the SC to form a commission to look into Imran Khan’s complaints. Another visit by Nawaz Sharif to Bani Gala is likely to persuade Imran Khan of his sincerity. This may also provide Imran Khan a way out. Better give and take rather than push the system to the breaking point.