THE commencement of dialogue between the government and PTI is indeed an encouraging development and offers a glimmer of hope to steer the country out of political tensions which over the past few years only served to deepen divisions.
The reality is clear: political stability is the cornerstone of economic growth and national progress. Political stability provides confidence to foreign investors, bolsters national institutions and fosters a sense of security among the people. Without it, Pakistan risks remaining in a state of stagnation, caught in an endless loop of political wrangling that only hampers the nation’s potential. The path to stability, however, will not be easy. There is, undoubtedly, a great deal of distrust between the government and PTI, and it is unlikely that these talks will be without their challenges. But it is imperative that both sides approach the dialogue in good faith, not as adversaries seeking to score political points, but as partners in the search for solutions. There is no room for egos in this process. Both the government and PTI must recognize that the goal is not to “win” the debate, but to find common ground for the betterment of the country. The people are waiting eagerly for a resolution to the political deadlock and they rightly expect their leaders to rise to the occasion. It is their hopes and aspirations that are on the line and the political leadership must not disappoint them. The stakes are high and it is crucial that the dialogue moves forward, not just for the sake of political expediency, but to fulfil the promise of a better future for all Pakistanis. For this dialogue to succeed, both sides will have to show flexibility. Stubbornness and rigid stances will not serve any purpose. Both sides must also refrain from inflammatory rhetoric and fiery speeches in the media. Public posturing and statements designed to inflame passions will only derail the talks. Instead, both sides must adopt a tone of respect and responsibility, understanding the gravity of the situation. The people do not want to hear more accusations or blame; they want to see results.
