AS practical moves both by the Opposition and the Government are embittering the political environment further, leader of the opposition Mian Shahbaz Sharif has once again emphasized the need for a national dialogue to resolve problems facing the country. Talking to newsmen in Lahore after the Qul ceremony of his mother, PML(N) leader talked about economic and other challenges and said only dialogue can help improve the situation.
The Government did well by releasing Shahbaz Sharif on parole to attend the funeral of his mother and the remarks made by him convey an impression of reciprocal gesture. The former Chief Minister of Punjab is known for his politics of reconciliation and has always remained instrumental in bringing down political tension through his numerous covert and overt actions and contacts. His latest emphasis on dialogue comes at the most appropriate time as previously verbal duels between the Government and the Opposition parties are now entering into street fights creating law and order issue and that too at a time when the situation was already fragile due to renewed spread of Covid-19. His offer, therefore, needs to be welcomed by all stakeholders and practical steps should be taken to lower tension and resolve problems and irritants through talks as per spirit of the law and the constitution. Roles and responsibilities of the two sides are clearly defined in the Constitution and there would be no problem if they strictly adhere to the scheme of things envisaged by the Constitution but at times both sides exceed their limits. The clashes that people witnessed in relation to the Multan public meeting of the opposition were avoidable but things were allowed to deteriorate mainly because the two sides are not on talking terms. Parliament was the right forum to agitate and sort out grievances and differences but regrettably it has become irrelevant. This is because the Speaker, which is supposed to be custodian of the house, has lost his credibility of a neutral monitor due to his apparently partisan approach especially on the issue of production orders of imprisoned members of the house. We hope that saner voices within the Government would respond to the goodwill gesture of Shahbaz (for a dialogue) in a positive manner and the Prime Minister would restrain those members of his team who are known for creating problems for the Government through inept remarks. Administrative measures to check activities of the opposition would create more problems for the Government and therefore, it should seize the opportunity of initiating genuine national dialogue.
