Dialogue Only Way Out

Asem Mustafa Awan

Islamabad: The Supreme Court has advised the political parties to resolve their differences through negotiations and consensus in the written order of the case related to the holding of elections in Punjab. While adjourning the hearing of the election case for an indefinite period, the Supreme Court expressed hope that the political parties would agree on a date for the elections.

The Supreme Court has twice advised the political parties to initiate a dialogue and on its advice for the first time, talks were held between the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) government and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). The PDM government insisted on elections in October while the PTI wanted them in May, and the two sides never moved an inch.

As time passed and events changed, the government and PTI’s policies on negotiations also changed. Last week, Tehreek-e-Insaf Chief Imran Khan suggested the government and political parties re-negotiate. As PTI is going through a tough time, the result was as expected and this time PDM refused to initiate the dialogue.

During World War II, the stubborn leadership, after killing millions of people and wasting trillions of dollars, discussed putting peace on the table. After World War II, Europe managed to protect itself from war and established the United Nations to help resolve international disputes through peaceful diplomatic efforts.

When dialogue failed, the Awami League, the largest political party of East Pakistan now Bangladesh, committed the tragic episode ‘Fall of Dhaka’. It has been part of the national archives since 1970 and it still simmers to this day.

The willingness to negotiate does not mean that it will lead to the advantage of one party and a reduction in status for the other. The crisis facing Pakistan is that the assemblies of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were dissolved so that new elections could be held in the country. The Constitution of Pakistan states 90 days for caretaker setup and fresh elections, but PDM seized the opportunity and created a stir that shook up the legality of the very constitution.

PDM took over to give relief but it failed miserably on many accounts: the economy has deteriorated manifolds, inflation is not under control, good governance is questioned every second, and overall instability is generating internal and external strife. The colossal scale is too large and PDM’s regime created such a situation that the democratic system itself looks threatened by the delay of elections across the country.

The Supreme Court of Pakistan twice gave the date of elections in Punjab and advised the warring political forces to negotiate; but instead of following the directives, the ruling coalition started a campaign against the Supreme Court. After the May 9 incident, PDM believes PTI has had its day but the very thought is an illusion, and in politics there are no miscalculations.

International surveys and polls tell another story, and in this age and time, nothing remains hidden. After Bhutto’s conviction, the National Alliance also crumbled and in history, it is the political decisions that make or break a nation. There is still time, and all the warring sides should sit down and take Pakistan out of a quagmire that deepens with each passing day.