THERE has been no let-up in the opposition’s campaign against the PTI government, and going by the latest jalsa in Larkana, neither is there any plan of relenting. For all its varied viewpoints and differences, as well as the dissensions within — such as the rift in JUI-F ranks — the 11-party PDM coalition appears firm on a single-point agenda — sending the ruling PTI home.

The speech of former president Asif Ali Zardari in Larkana indicated a willingness to go to any lengths to increase pressure on the government to quit. While the alliance is struggling to create a consensus on the proposed move to resign from the assemblies and organise an indefinite sit-in in Islamabad, it isn’t backing off on its declaration to march on the capital if Prime Minister Imran Khan doesn’t resign and fresh elections are not announced before the Jan 31 deadline. That could compound the political crisis in the country and create a volatile situation lasting for weeks or months. Can the PDM attain its objective in the end? It remains to be seen. But many political commentators have played down the chances of success.

Ever since it launched its campaign, the PDM has been justifiably criticised for organising public rallies in the midst of increasing Covid-19 infections in the country. Perhaps, with the approaching Senate elections, the opposition parties fear that the PTI could further squeeze the political space by tightening the accountability noose once it gets a majority in the upper house. Such fears aren’t without reason.

The way the government has pursued its anti-corruption agenda that has largely spared its own supporters but targeted its opponents has contributed to the coming together of a divided opposition. Although Mr Khan had some time ago stated he was ready to talk to the opposition parties in parliament, his administration doesn’t appear keen on taking forward this rather vague offer. Instead, the government has toughened its confrontationist stance, repeatedly declaring that the opposition would not get an ‘NRO’ and pushing NAB to speed up the process of prosecuting the opposition politicians.

The disdain the PTI has shown for parliament and the manner in which it has tried to crush its opponents during the past two and a half years have spawned fears that the ruling elite could be on their way to imposing one-party rule in the country. Such attempts have been made in the past too but have not succeeded.

The best way out of the current political impasse lies in addressing the concerns of the opposition and accommodating its demands. If the government thinks it would appear weak to its supporters by holding an open dialogue with the PDM, it should make backchannel contact with the PDM leadership. At the end of the day, it is always the sitting government that loses if there is a prolonged stand-off with the opposition.

Published in Dawn, December 29th, 2020