Option of Talks

The only option which always remains there in the politics is the option of talks. In the current situation when there is political instability in the country this option is there to settle down the matters. The current instability was started from the day when the coalition of 14 political parties ousted the sitting Prime Minister. Since then the former PM and Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Imran Khan is in the state of continuous protest against the joint venture of these political parties. He took to streets to register his protest and during the process he got bullets in his leg when he luckily survived in a deadly attack. This attack could not stopped Imran Khan from chasing his target, so he continued his struggle announced to hold an historical session in Rawalpindi. He succeeded in gathering thousands of people in Rawalpindi. During his speech Imran Khan announced to dissolve the assemblies. This decision of Imran Khan was shocking for the government as the ruling parties are not in the favor of early elections. Government was not happy with the decision of Imran Khan, but the representatives were apparently showing that they are all set to accept this decision and will hold by elections if Imran Khan dissolves the assemblies.
Since the day when Khan announced to dissolve the Punjab and KP assemblies, there was a deadlock situation between government and PTI. But, in a recent move Imran Khan broke this dead lock by hinting that PTI is ready for talks with the government. PTI Chairman Imran Khan Friday invited the PDM-led government to talk over the possibility of early general elections and warned that if they dissolved the assemblies in two provinces, around 66% of Pakistan would have to vote for by-polls. “Give us a date for elections or we will dissolve the KP and Punjab assemblies,” Khan said in a video address to the PTI’s Punjab parliamentary party from his Lahore residence in Zaman Park. “We have the full backing of PML-Q. CM Punjab Chaudhry Pervez Elahi will disband the provincial assembly on my call.” He said PTI’s demand for early general elections was the part and parcel of the PTI’s resolve to shore up the country’s economy as the party was totally focused on bringing Pakistan back to its feet. Khan said the whole world was saying “Pakistan is galloping towards default”. “Remittances have started falling, tax collection is shrinking, default risks are growing higher and higher, while Ishaq Dar is sitting silent in a corner.”
The hint for talks given by the Chairman PTI is a good and democratic move. Government should consider this option with the good intent instead of terming it a U turn. If Imran Khan is ready to hold talks with the government then the government should also show some leverage. Imran Khan is firmly standing at his demand of early elections. But, the government parties are not ready for doing so. Imran Khan has only two options in the hand one is to dissolve the KP and Punjab Assemblies and the other one is to settle down the matter through talks. The latter is better so Imran Khan has offered this option to the government. Instead of showing un necessary strictness government should consider this option wisely. Imran Khan’s early election demand should be considered by the government.