IN a move that has the potential to change the political landscape of the country and also bring some relief to the embattled former ruling party, founding Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan has expressed willingness to tender apology, though conditional, over the May 9 protests, demanding that the CCTV footage of the riots broke out last year should be produced. Speaking to reporters at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, the former Prime Minister said he would apologize if the party activists were found involved in the violent protest that broke out following his arrest from the Islamabad High Court premises in a corruption case.
His remarks came as the PTI is making demands for his release on the occasion of completion of one year in jail on different charges and remarks made by Imran Khan about possibility of talks with the Establishment. The offer of tendering apology seems to be in response to a clear and unambiguous statement made by the Director-General ISPR in May this year that those found involved in May 09 violent protests should seek apology and shun politics of anarchy before joining politics. At that time, the PTI founding chairman was quick to reject the proposition claiming the apology should be offered by the other side. The latest remarks, which indicate a softening of his stance, could help heal wounds if no conditions are attached and frank and candid admissions are made. The reaction of the Government spokespersons, who said there will be no pardon and those involved will be punished, is understandable keeping in view the track record of political history in Pakistan. However, it is also a fact that the country cannot proceed ahead satisfactorily in a highly polarized environment and perpetual political tension. We have been emphasizing time and again in these columns that the Government has an ambitious agenda to implement, which demands complete peace of mind. All sides must grab the opportunity to promote national reconciliation as the country has already suffered a lot due to instability and the tendency of leg-pulling of the government.
