Imran’s Willingness For Talks

Asem Mustafa Awan

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman, Imran Khan has expressed his consent to hold negotiations with the government on one-point agenda of elections.

Imran Khan in a recent interview stated that it will be the party members who will hold talks with the government, and not himself.

The political forces have fueled their differences heightening personal animosities and vendettas. Their reluctance to dialogue is a major impediment to breaking the political impasse.

Imran Khan’s offer holds major significance in the current turbulent times. It should help to bring the political temperature down. Pakistan is currently gripped by social, economic and political instability. The announcement of the election date would be a move forward.

A legal and constitutional battle is ensuing in two of the provinces namely Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for new elections. However, no one truly seems to be inclined to follow the constitution in letter and spirit.

Simply, adhering to the constitution by the government will enable Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to follow the 90 day rule and as a consequence bring the simmering political polarization to an end.

The problem is that this rule is being questioned by the political parties from left, right and center and that is not all. After the dissolution of Punjab Assembly and the vote of no confidence in the new Chief Minister Hamza Shehbaz , the entire process was of election was deemed illegal.

It is fact that Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) is only too aware of the public sentiments and the results of Gallop polls and the trends in the social media, all pointed to the Imran/ PTI clear majority. There is no second opinion to the fact that delays by PDM in holding the elections is further providing impetus to Khan’s popularity.

In the recent days PTI leadership is making contacts with other political parties starting with Jamaat-e-Islami in Mansura. JI Ameer Sirajul Haq has supported the dialogue. Chaudhary Perviaz Elahi  is also approaching other parties namely government allies.

Recently, Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari while addressing the National Assembly advised Shehbaz Sharif to hold talks with the opposition which also indicates a more mature stance from PPP.

The election process has its own woes. The losers have always complained of rigging with a trail of dead bodies and violent incidents. Could this be avoided this time around? Seems unlikely given the waring entrenchment of key players.

It is a fact that every losing party makes hue and cry for electoral reforms but does nothing when in power.

Imran Khan’s offer for the dialogue can bring normality to the proceedings whilst making the election process credible.

The caretaker government should stop obstructing the process of election as that is what is desired by the nation.

The PDM announced to boycott the Supreme Court’s hearing of the election postponement case; however, the PPP had separately their lawyers attending the three-member bench hearing headed by the Chief Justice. This indicates the growing uneasiness within the government alliance. PPP is showing more political maturity.

No matter how much the government opposes the position of PTI, it’s is obliged to abide by conduct its affairs under the constitution

The writer is a journalist based in Islamabad and writes on a wide range of issues.