THE incarcerated leader of the opposition party, now humbled by state power after his ‘protest’ in Islamabad failed, has finally agreed to talk to the government. Though a U-turn in terms of his own stance in the past, the development can only be seen as a realistic approach under the circumstances.

The party was overconfident that the protest would take the capital city by storm, and that the government would either ‘collapse’, or bow to the demands. As it turned out, the party was mistaken.

The fact is that the party concerned is in a weak position, and that is why it has stopped talking about the earlier demand of ‘returning the party mandate’. The threat of civil disobedience also seem to be nothing but a threat.

The government is not likely to be in a rush because it knows the limitations of the opposition’s negotiating team. In fact, the team itself has time and again made it clear that the man in prison would finally approve or reject any agreement with the government.

Given the former prime minister’s past record, it is just about impossible to reach any agreement at all.

Things being what they are, the target of political stability in the country is likely to remain elusive. In this game of thrones, only the common man suffers. This shows how sincere our politicians are with the country and the nation.

Gulsher Panhwer
Johi

Published in Dawn, January 10th, 2025