Still room for dialogue?
The month of August marks the beginning of a season of protests. Neither PAT nor PTI, who have announced their protest schedules, are itching for an all-out fight. Their opening moves indicate these would be warming up exercises. Compared to their 2014 agitation there is a visible change in tactics this time. Both are keen to avoid solo flights. PAT sought the advice of the opposition parties before announcing the schedule for protests. Pandering to the opposition’s sensitivities, Imran Khan now demands the prime minister’s accountability rather than his resignation. Instead of solely relying on agitation, both have filed references in ECP challenging the eligibility of Nawaz Sharif. The PTI would also like to attend the TORs Committee meeting whenever it is summoned.
The PAT has announced protest marches, rallies and symbolic sit-ins in about twenty cities on four different dates starting from August 6. The PTI will hold a big rally from Peshawar to Rawalpindi on August 7 led by Imran Khan. This will be followed by weekly protests in major cities which will continue, according to PTI, till the government accepts the opposition parties’ TORs. An important development is that the PPP too is considering joining the protests. While Ishaq Dar insists that Imran Khan’s protests would bring no change, a slight difference seems to have taken place in PML-N’s attitude after Nawaz Sharif’s return. This is indicated by the government’s request to the Speaker to call a meeting of the Committee on TORs.
The Opposition thinks Panama Papers have provided it a unique opportunity to expose the Sharif family and by implication the PML-N. It aims at taking the issue to every nook and corner of the country so that when the elections are announced Sharif family’s corruption becomes a burning election issue. The Committee on TORs may not dissuade the opposition from its mission but dialogue could deter the opposition from throwing the baby out with the bath water.
