Why not talk to opposition?

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Best way out

 

 

Nawaz Sharif feels confident after holding a meeting of PML-N parliamentarians and consulting allies on threats of agitation by the opposition. He has been led by the PML-N hawks to believe that the best defense is a good offense. The government has consequently filed a reference with the National Assembly speaker for disqualification of Imran Khan as MNA. A similar reference has however been filed against Nawaz Sharif by Pakistan Justice and Democratic Party, led by former CJ Iftikhar Chaudhry, seeking the PM’s disqualification on the grounds of not being Sadiq and Ameen in his business dealings. While both sides get involved in a legal battle, opening salvos in what promises to be a prolonged and bloody fight were fired on Saturday and Sunday by PAT and PTI.

On Saturday Pakistan Awami Tehrik (PAT) initiated what it called a movement for Qisas or revenge for the killings of 14 of its workers in reckless police firing two years back. The PAT took out rallies in half a dozen major cities. In Lahore the rally was addressed by the provincial leaders of PTI, PML-Q and a number of religious parties. While no PPP leader joined the march the party had earlier demanded justice for the killings. On Sunday PTI Chairman Imran Khan took out his container to lead party activists from Peshawar to Khairabad bridge, addressing several gatherings on the way. The PAT and PTI intend to continue holding rallies throughout August. After that they intend to raise the struggle to a higher level.

The government needs to deal with the opposition tactfully to avoid a head-on clash. Numerous issues continue to pester the common man including power shortages, large scale unemployment, and a widening gap between the richest and the poorest. While presently the PTI and PAT may have little following, un-redressed public grievances can help the protests to snowball. The PAT and PTI too should consider the consequences of riding a tiger. Talks alone are the way out.