In an uncertain political situation and constrained environment for taking required steps to address rapidly deteriorating economic conditions of the country, ruling coalition is holding internal meetings to discuss the possibility of convening a meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC) and holding a grand national dialogue to find a way out.
Prime Minister Mian Shehbaz Sharif held two separate meetings with PPP leader and former President Asif Ali Zardari and head of JUI (F) Maulana Fazlur Rehman in which they decided to carry forward the process of consultations as prevailing situation is sending confusing signals to the masses.
Proposals for holding a grand national dialogue are not new as similar ideas were floated in the past by different stakeholders and prominent politicians in view of growing political polarisation and its negative impact on the economy.
These, however, could not make any headway because of non-serious attitude of the government in power, which did not believe in talking to the opposition and instead continued its onslaught against almost all political opponents throughout its tenure.
The proposition, however, assumes significance as this time round it is the ruling coalition, which is mulling over initiation of such a dialogue at a time when much-needed stability is nowhere to be seen and the country is heading for a serious economic plunge.
We have been emphasising in these columns that incumbent government has necessary expertise to take the country out of existing quagmire provided political challenges and threats are managed or, at least, kept within the bounds of constitution and law.
However, government is facing a multitude of challenges and obstacles, the most important being inability of the Presidency and Governors to extend necessary cooperation in running the country in accordance with real spirit of the constitution.
A clear message has gone to the people of Pakistan during last one month that the Constitution is being interpreted differently by different stakeholders jeopardising government ability to perform and handle effectively economic difficulties of the people and country.
The issue relating to appointment of governors is quite clear in the Constitution but still we have no governor in the Punjab province and consequently no cabinet to run the province smoothly.
The federal government believes it completed constitutional requirements for removal of PTI appointed Omer Cheema and in face of inaction by the President, it issued an executive order for his removal.
A summary was also moved for appointment of a new governor that has been sent back by the President after keeping the matter pending for a maximum period provided in the Constitution telling the government that former governor was still in place.
Now a fresh summary has been moved and after ten days a new governor is likely to assume charge on completion of mandatory period required.
There is also another serious challenge to incumbent Chief Minister Hamza Shehbaz due to deseating of 25 MPAs by the Election Commission of Pakistan under defection clause of the Constitution.
There are expectations that government should take tough and difficult decisions in the long term economic and financial interests of the country but rulers believe they can’t do so in an environment where they cannot even decide postings and transfers, which is the sole prerogative of the executive.
The ruling coalition is complaining that judiciary is stepping into the domain of executive, interpreting Constitution and laws to add to woes of the government and its political opponents are getting instant relief when no such urgency was shown when the opposition was targeted in an unprecedented manner during tenure of the PTI government.
There are clear indications that government is being pressurised to go for early polls in the backdrop of a decision taken by top leadership of the coalition parties that they would complete the remaining term of the present assembly i.e.till August 2022.
Under these circumstances, possibility of a grand national dialogue seems to be the only way out of prevailing political and economic crises but it can only succeed if all sides discard their self-centred strategies and demands and think collectively for long term interests of the system and country.
In fact, our constitution offers answers and solutions to almost all situations and things can normalise within days if all sides demonstrate commitment to constitutionalism.
As for immediate elections, what is the guarantee that the loser would accept results, as there is a tradition in our country to make results controversial and deny legitimacy to elected government?
Elections without consensus and effective reforms would be meaningless and might trigger a fresh cycle of instability and political tension.
The previous PTI government introduced unilateral and highly controversial reforms in the name of electoral reforms, which all opposition parties rejected as they believed that use of electronic voting machines and right of vote to overseas Pakistanis without a foolproof and practicable arrangement could serve as tools for vote fraud.
The Election Commission also needs several months to do its homework to be able to conduct elections in a free, fair and transparent manner.
On the other hand, the idea of completion of remaining term of the present assembly is not acceptable to PTI, which is about to launch a march on the Federal Capital to press for its demand for immediate elections so as to cash upon sympathy vote.
Under these circumstances, a middle way will have to be found and till holding of elections incumbent government should be fully facilitated by all stakeholders to take necessary steps to reform the economy and provide relief to people.
It is widely rumoured that much depends on the outcome of ongoing talks with International Monetary Fund (IMF) and outcome of talks might help decide fate of present government, next set-up and timings of general elections.
Patriotic Pakistanis firmly believe that economy should be the prime focus in view of precarious economic conditions but hardly anyone is talking or focusing on the budget for next financial year, which always remains a hot topic during May/June every year.
