SANITY prevailed at last and the process of dialogue succeeded in ending the state of uncertainty and confusion that prevailed due to protest and long march by Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) and its handling by the Government.
The two sides have signed yet another accord, the details of which have not been made public, and one hopes it would produce the results that Mufti Muneebur Rehman, one of the facilitators of talks, and the Government side expect to have on the overall national religio-political scenario.
It has rightly been said that the outcome of the talks is neither victory nor defeat of anyone but it is surely victory of those who wanted resolution of the crisis through discussion and dialogue and opposed both use of force and violent tactics.
The full picture will emerge when details are made public or there is manifestation of “actions speak louder than words” as Mufti Muneeb put it but it is quite obvious that the understanding reached between the Government and the TLP has avoided the possibility of bloodshed and the fresh cycle of political instability.
People of Pakistan especially those in the affected regions of Punjab and the Federal Capital have heaved a sigh of relief as road blockades and suspension of Internet and telephone services made their life miserable.
The country was passing through the worst phase of price-hike and the shortages triggered by suspension of supply lines sent the prices of essential items sky high.
In this backdrop, it is appreciable that the Government wisely decided to sort out the issue before the appearance of its crippling effects on daily life.
The credit for peaceful resolution of the problem surely goes to Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa, the doves in the Government camp and a team of Ulema and prominent personalities who worked hard as mediators.
The TLP leadership also demonstrated a positive attitude by not sticking to its extremist point of view and agreeing to call off the protest in the larger interest.
It is not yet clear but media reports claim the TLP has agreed not to resort to protests and long marches in future, which would be an encouraging development given the negative impact of such tactics on the political environment, peace and stability and life of the ordinary citizen.
It has reportedly been agreed that the TLP would vacate GT Road, shift its sit-in to a ground in Wazirabad and would gradually end its protest with the implementation of the deal.
Both sides also reportedly agreed that the TLP would abandon politics of agitation and sit-ins and in return it would be allowed to continue to function as a political party, which would be a great achievement for the organization that was facing ban and curbs on its politics.
As influential guarantors are involved on the part of the TLP and the Government has constituted a Steering Committee to oversee implementation of the accord, it is hoped there would be no backtracking as people witnessed in the case of previous accord and things would be sorted out in the national interest.
We have all along been emphasizing in these columns that instead of issuing inflammatory statements and making provocative remarks, the good offices of prominent and neutral Ulema should be used to defuse the tension.
The signing of the accord, facilitated by a team of Ulema, has once again confirmed that complicated issues can also be resolved amicably if personal egos are kept aside.
The decision of the National Security Committee (NSC) not to shut the door of dialogue also cleared the way for holding meaningful discussions and an end to the state of confusion that prevailed due to contradictory statements of some ministers.
The TLP issue, for the time being, stands resolved but repeated disruption of normal life calls for evolution of national consensus against politics of road blocks, shutter downs, damage to public and private properties and wild allegations like funding by RAW/India.
Mobilization of public opinion for a cause is democratic right of the people and the parties but there should be zero tolerance for violations of law.
All want the country to develop and prosper but this would remain an elusive dream until and unless a congenial environment is created for the purpose.
