Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reportedly extended an offer of dialogue to Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Mehmood Achakzai soon after the PTI announced its decision to postpone its planned long march. The immediate subject of discussion could be the appointment of the new Chief Election Commissioner and members of the Election Commission, for which consultation with the opposition leader is required. But there is no reason why the proposed meeting should remain confined to this matter. Other issues raised by the opposition could also be taken up, providing an opportunity to open a broader channel of communication between the government and opposition.
Though the PM’s offer is a welcome development, the bigger question, however, is: when will these direct talks actually take place? There have been repeated offers and expressions of willingness to negotiate, yet little substantive progress has been witnessed. The government and opposition cannot continue indefinitely exchanging offers, statements and counter-statements while the country faces challenges that require their immediate attention.
The recent surge in terrorist violence, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, makes political stability all the more urgent. On Saturday, a vehicle laden with explosives was rammed into the Aman Mela police check-post in Dera Ismail Khan’s , killing 12 people and injuring 35. In a further tragedy, a Rescue 1122 ambulance transporting the bodies of victims also came under fire, killing two rescue workers and injuring another. This came only days after the deadly attack at a police compound in Kohat. Thirty-one people, including several policemen, embraced martyrdom while more than 100 others were injured. These attacks are a grim reminder of the scale of the security challenge confronting the country, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Such circumstances demand political unity and an undivided national focus on defeating terrorism. When there is political uncertainty and instability, anti-state elements find greater opportunities to exploit divisions. If political parties spend much of their time in rhetoric, accusations and point-scoring, how can sufficient attention be devoted to security, economic recovery, governance and development?
KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi’s offer to resolve differences with the federal government through dialogue, while expressing his party’s decision to postpone the march in the hope of finding amicable solutions, is a welcome development. This is precisely the direction in which political discourse needs to move. Issues cannot be resolved through protests and long marches; ultimately, they have to be settled at the negotiating table.
For dialogue to succeed, however, both sides must create a conducive environment. There should be no inflammatory speeches, personal attacks or provocative statements from either side. Such rhetoric can only deepen mistrust and make meaningful negotiations more difficult. The government and opposition need to demonstrate greater maturity at this critical juncture and stop viewing each other as adversaries. Political competition is a normal feature of democracy; political hostility that paralyses the state is not.
Pakistan’s international standing has improved significantly in recent times because of its mediatory role in US-Iran war and the defeat it inflicted on India last year. However, this improved image will not translate into economic dividends unless there is political stability at home. Investors, businesses and international partners need an environment of continuity and predictability.
As the prime minister returns from the United States, there should be no further delay in sitting across the table with the opposition leadership. The people expect nothing less than maturity and responsible conduct from their political leaders. The time has come to end political animosity, resolve differences and devote collective attention to the challenges that matter most.
