Agree to disagree
It’s been one-step-forward-two-steps-back for quite a while now between the government and PTI. And the passions that forced the dharna to fold notwithstanding, there was never really a chance of the two getting along till one drastically changed its way of working. Interestingly, Imran’s position is much changed since Aug14. The days when only Nawaz’s resignation could move him from the container are long gone. Yet the prime minister did not respond in kind in the post-dharna period, which apparently has forced the daggers out again. And it would be unfortunate if another confrontation is allowed to develop on the streets.
Not many who understand the working of the N-league believed that the judicial commission condition would be followed through; at least not the way PTI was demanding. All opposition parties, including those that defended PML-N in the House, are convinced of large scale electoral fraud. And it is not difficult to understand how the ruling party must feel about a commission exposing even minor rigging. Yet the route chosen by the government – stalling the issue repeatedly – is hardly a better option. It is aware of PTI’s street power. Nawaz must remember well the days when even his senior ministers were reportedly unsure about the government’s survival. And now his opponents have more against him with the fuel crisis adding to the list of his government’s incompetence.
It is up to the government, therefore, to ensure that push should not come to shove, again. Another standoff will not only be a huge security concern, it will also, again, hurt the economy. And the more these two parties agree to disagree, the more the common man will suffer at the end of the day. At a time of an existential war, a stagnant economy, the power, gas and fuel crises, the people can do without political battles being fought in the streets. The government must honour its promise of the judicial commission and thorough investigation and let the law take its course or bear responsibility for another protracted logjam.
