IN the backdrop of an extremely tense political environment, the remarks made by PML(N) leader Maryam Nawaz during an interview with BBC are encouraging as these convey there is room for much-needed national reconciliation. She hinted at the possibility of a dialogue between her party and the army from the platform of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) — an alliance of 11 opposition parties — but said that for any such talks to happen, they would have to be held in front of the public — not in secret — and only after the “selected” government was sent packing.
Earlier, some credible reports said the establishment was not averse to the idea of institutional dialogue, for which suggestions have consistently come from different leaders, who want an end to the continuation of a vicious cycle of political instability in the country that deals serious blows to the economy as well. In fact, the idea of dialogue should be welcomed by all including the incumbent government as it could help diffuse tension and allow space to the government to concentrate on its programmes and policies aimed at improving the lot of the people, which is crucial in the context of delivery before next general elections. The Government need not fear any negative fallout of possible contacts between the opposition and the establishment as Maryam wants the dialogue from the platform of PDM and that too an open dialogue. However, the condition imposed by Maryam for such a dialogue i.e. removal of the incumbent Government is understandably unacceptable to PTI. Otherwise too, we have been emphasizing in these columns that attempts by the opposition to destabilize the Government must cease and all governments should be allowed to complete their constitutional tenure as it would also give people a clear idea as to the real performance of the rulers in deciding their fate at the time of polls.
The remarks of Maryam also assume significance as these come on the heels of a hard-hitting statement delivered by his father Mian Nawaz Sharif during Gujranwala public meeting of PDM, which has sparked controversies and even differences within the alliance itself. In a subtle change of mind, the Vice President of PML(N) said “Army is our institution. We will definitely talk but within the limits of the Constitution”. In fact, Nawaz Sharif too had not rejected the possibility of meetings and dialogue with the Army as he publicly stated that his party-men would meet military leaders if necessary, but with approval and openly. There is a need to build upon this positive gesture and no attempt should be made by any party to drag national institutions into politics. The tendency of branding national leaders as agents of India should also be discouraged as provocative statements vitiate the possibility of any dialogue and reconciliation.
