Finding middle ground won’t hurt
Two reasons were given by the PTI to suddenly suspend the talks with the government i.e., crackdown on party workers and attack on Shah Mehmud Qureshi’s Multan residence by PML-N activists. Both grievances having been resolved to the PTI’s satisfaction, it has announced the resumption of talks which is a positive move. A suggestion floated by a PTI leader is for Nawaz Sharif to proceed on leave during the proposed enquiry into rigging. While the proposal indicates that some in the PTI visualise that a retreat from the demand of Sharif’s resignation is possible, this also accords with the suggestion from the Leader of the Opposition to keep the demand for resignation pending till the enquiry finds the government culpable. The negative development is that the PTI has handed over the resignations of its MNAs to the National Assembly Secretariat which some might interpret as the burning of the boats by the party.
Many eyes would be riveted on the meeting between former President Asif Ali Zardari and Nawaz Sharif on Saturday. The PPP Co-Chairman is known for a flexible approach to disputes. Whether he can make Sharif develop a more realistic strategy to defuse the crisis remains to be seen. Currently the PTI and the PAT are unwilling to listen to anyone from the PML-N except perhaps Punjab Governor Muhammad Sawrar. It would be premature to presume that Zardari would agree to play the role of a mediator. In any case his arrival at this juncture would be welcomed by those fed up with the standoff.
The continuation of the crisis does not suit the contenders. Its prolongation would demoralise the protesters whose numbers would start declining. The government is receiving reports about possible suicide attacks while the attempts to ensure safety of the protesters are seen by them as curbs on their free movement. Any minor clash between the strung up protesters and police can lead to bloodshed which both sides have been avoiding so far. There is a dire need under the circumstances to reach some sort of compromise.
Comments are closed.