Disharmony could lead to disaster
The ongoing attempts to break the deadlock in PTI-PML-N talks have taken more time than was being visualised by the two sides. The final roadblocks were the three clauses related to the judicial commission in the government document presented before the meeting on Friday. The subsequent lengthy discussion was aimed at narrowing the differences. Both sides found it necessary to have another session. It would be good news for the country if the differences are settled at the earliest. Failure is no option under the circumstances prevailing in the country.
Imran Khan attended the APC called by Nawaz Sharif in the wake of the Peshawar killings. He announced support for the government’s actions to defeat terrorism, ended the four month long sit-in and called off the PTI’s protests while maintaining that he still stuck to the demand for the constitution of a judicial commission to probe election rigging. A few days later he announced another rally in Islamabad next month without stating its purpose. To all intents and purposes the move was intended to convey to the government that another series of confrontations between the two sides could not be ruled out unless both agreed on a modus Vivendi, which depended on resolving differences over the judicial commission.
The army and all parliamentary parties are on the same page on fighting terrorism. A National Action Plan has been jointly worked out. This requires an effort by the entire nation to work shoulder to shoulder to eliminate the threat of terrorism. The PTI has made constructive suggestions while taking part in talks on the issue. Dealing an effective blow to terrorists requires peace among political parties. Any disharmony, least of all another round of strikes and shutdowns, could spell disaster for national unity against the existential threat. There is a need under the circumstances on the part of other political parties to help the two sides reach a compromise if they are unable to do so on their own.