Speakers in a session at a litfest at Alhamra on Saturday called for dialogue among the political parties, non-interference from non-democratic institutes and mediation by human rights organisations between the parties to end the current political crisis.

The speaker included journalists Hamid Mir and Suhail Warraich and former bureaucrat Fawad Hasan Fawad while the event was the three-day Jashn-e-Jaun Elia. The discussion happened in a session, titled Kutch Nah Kutch Honay Ko Hay, moderated by Wajih Sani.

Mir said the May 9 events were the logical conclusion of the conspiracies against democracy and unconstitutional steps taken by the powers that be in Pakistan. “It’s unfortunate that only one political side is being held responsible for it and the people affiliated with it are quitting politics but ‘those’ who should really quit interference in politics are not giving any such statement.”

Mir said the root of the problems of Pakistan was the violation of the constitution and the law. The constitution should be followed and the general election should be held in 2023 regardless of the result. “Pakistan would move in the right direction only if the election is held this year,” he declared.

Advocate dialogue among political parties to end crisis

Warraich endorsed Mir, adding that the constitution should not be violated because it’s the solution to the problems. “But what to do when the Supreme Court stands divided into two parts with both of them having valid points? It leads to the divisions among the common people too.”

Referring to the role of the judiciary, he said from Justice Munir up to Justice Saqib Nisar all blamed only the politicians.

“The army also had always taken an unconstitutional role. It did not allow any politician to do politics or any political party to run the government. The current situation is the result of it all.

“We are all witness that the PTI came into power in 2018 with the help of the army. It brought Imran Khan into power and gathered the MNAs for his party. That was wrong but whatever is happening today is also wrong,” Warraich said.

As a solution, he emphasised that the constitution and democracy were the only way forward and every political party and every politician should be allowed to work.

The Charter of Democracy (CoD) was the biggest achievement after the 1973 constitution followed by the 18th amendment and they all should be accepted, the veteran journalist suggested and added that, “I asked Imran Khan whether he accepts the Charter of Democracy. He did say that he accepted it but it did not seem he agreed with it. It would be a good omen for Pakistan if he accepts the CoD,”

Fawad Hasan Fawad pointed out that the country’s politics, society and economy all had taken a nosedive while the institutions were having a downfall.

All institutions stood divided right now, he said and added that in today’s verdict Justice Qazi Faez Isa said the SC decision announced the day before was against federalism. He said nothing would happen if the SC, which has the role of arbitrator, stood divided.

Mir dedicated a couplet of Jaun Elia to the current government, saying, Mein bhi Bahut ajeeb hoon, itna ajeeb hoon keh bus / khud ko tabah kar lia aur malal bhi nahi. He said it was obvious who was behind the formation of the government in 2018 but it should also be taken into account who was behind the government of 2022. He said those who installed both the governments could not be fought against but only requested to follow the constitution.

Warraich said a full court of the SC could have been the solution whose verdict would have been acceptable to everyone but the chance was wasted. “The political dialogue was another missed opportunity. Instead of looking towards the institutions, the politicians should reach a consensus through the dialogue,” Warraich stressed.

Fawad said the biggest failure of the current government was that when it should have taken lead, it did not do so. “It’s always the responsibility of the government, not the opposition, to resolve the issue through reconciliation. The government did not take the initiative and those outside the government had got a chance to lead to the conflict”.

Warraich said the government should show some flexibility for a political dialogue as it would have to ultimately consult the opposition for the caretaker set-up.

Mir said the dialogue was a must to reach a consensus between political parties for free and fair election. He suggested that human rights organisations and lawyers bodies should come forward to coordinate with all political parties.

“The conducive atmosphere for holding the election could not be created when the people are being jailed repeatedly under the 3 MPO.” He apprehended that the situation would worsen when the civilians would be tried under the Army Act. The human rights violations should pave the way for fair and free election and if the election would be held with all the rights violations going on, it would not be credible, Mir warned.

Published in Dawn, May 28th, 2023