FOR a long time now, the country has been in the grip of relentless political uncertainty, featuring the administration’s crackdown on the PTI and the latter’s growing calls for anti-government protests. Without a meaningful and serious dialogue, the political hubbub produced by the unresolved tensions between the two sides is unlikely to recede. Recent media reports suggest that the government and opposition have shown some flexibility on their rigid positions and established a back-channel contact. If correct, it augurs well for the citizens, who are fatigued by the constant political noise amidst worsening economic conditions. The indications of a potential thaw have lately poured in from different directions. Recently, the PML-N’s Rana Sanaullah hinted at ‘progress’ in potential negotiations with the PTI, saying that talks between the government and the opposition party could make headway soon. His statement was preceded by National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq offering to facilitate a dialogue between the two sides “at my office or at my home”.

On his part, the jailed PTI founder Imran Khan is also reported to have taken a step back from his earlier position of engaging only with the establishment. He has constituted a committee to begin talks with the government, deferring his civil disobedience campaign to allow the latter time to accept his demands for the immediate release of under-trial PTI workers and leaders, and a judicial commission to probe the events of May 9 and Nov 26. But while it is a positive sign, it is not enough. To send a message that it is committed to a satisfactory resolution of the crisis, the PTI should not attach preconditions to the talks. That said, the burden of engaging the opposition lies squarely on the shoulders of the government. It has a point that negotiations based on preconditions may not produce results, but it must refrain from spoiling even the slightest chance of a resolution if it wants political stability. In fact, restricting the access of PTI leaders to their leader is not helping the objective of an unconditional dialogue that the government is trying to convince the opposition to agree on. Such tactics will only lead the PTI to harden its stance and walk away from the much-anticipated talks. Indeed, while political tumult is bad for the economy, it is worse for the government.

Published in Dawn, December 22nd, 2024