PRESIDENT Dr Arif Alvi, who tried his level best to bring the coalition government and the opposition PTI on the negotiating table to sort out their differences, is now again active to help restore peace and stability. In the backdrop of media reports that he was approaching different sides for the purpose, Dr Alvi, in an interview, has formally asked PTI Chairman Imran Khan to openly condemn the 9 May events. He also called for taking action against those involved in heinous crimes on that day.
This is wise and sympathetic counselling for the PTI leadership, which is facing the wrath of the circumstances in the aftermath of the violent protests that erupted in reaction to the arrest of the former Prime Minister by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on corruption charges. Attacks against military symbols were not defendable and, therefore, the PTI leadership should have denounced them instantly. The President is commander-in-chief of the armed forces and therefore, his advice to IK is understandable. In fact, he should have expressed his views much earlier but still his proposition for strict action against those involved in violence is a positive development as some circles were viewing his silence on the issue with skepticism. The President expressed himself on the issue at a time when the PTI was in deep trouble because of involvement of her workers and leaders in the violent protests and attacks on army installations and buildings. We hope the PTI leadership would listen to the advice of the President and make its position clear on the issue of attacks that have enraged the entire nation as it involves dignity and respect of an institution devoted to the sacred cause of defence of the motherland. Imran Khan has also expressed his readiness for talks on elections but PPP leader Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has already made it clear that there would be no talks until PTI apologizes to the nation on what it did on May 09. The two sides also held talks only recently, some progress was made but no breakthrough was achieved as Imran Khan attached pre-conditions and this should not be repeated again.
