Pakistan: A timely meeting

In his meeting over lunch with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif at the latter’s residence in Lahore, former president Asif Ali Zardari has reiterated that the solution to the current political deadlock should be found within the parameters of the constitution and that his party, the PPP, will not support any undemocratic move. He said that the prime minister should show flexibility in accommodating the legitimate demands of the protesting parties without putting the dignity of parliament at stake. Earlier, the Senate unanimously adopted a resolution dismissing the demand of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) for dissolving parliament and seeking the resignation of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. The resolution has condemned the objectionable language being used by Imran Khan and Dr Tahirul Qadri against the parliamentarians. All political parties in parliament except the PTI are standing with Nawaz Sharif. Since the process of dialogue has resumed between the government and the PTI, one could only hope that things are sorted out amicably. But for that Imran Khan has to come off his high horse and do some rethinking. So far his behaviour during the protest, now in its eleventh day, has been disappointing. As a result, the public as well as some of his own supporters have been forced to consider whether Imran Khan is mature enough to aspire to the prime minister’s office, something he seems to assume as a birthright. His macho style is simply unreasonable. Because he cannot read the writing on the wall, he does not see that his protest is not gaining momentum.

Politics is the art of the possible. There are no permanent friends or enemies. If Imran Khan has decided to commit political suicide, his present conduct is just right, but if he wants to continue with his political ambitions, his tone, tenor and mannerisms need restructuring. Asif Ali Zardari’s political acumen and his ability to manoeuvre politically have bought him back centre-stage today. People are recalling how he handled Qadri when he came to Pakistan in 2013. Without humiliating Qadri, he was given a face saving exit. Nawaz is being castigated in some circles for trying to find a solution in Asif Ali Zardari’s political wisdom. That point of view notwithstanding, Nawaz Sharif’s ability to reach out to Zardari in this moment of crisis when the entire country is caught up in uncertainty is a welcome step. One would like to see this political sagacity carried forward and if possible applied to reinvent the Charter of Democracy to strengthen parliament. Just like all the parties got together for the 18th amendment, they can join hands to strengthen parliament’s sovereignty along the lines of the Charter of Democracy. The consolidation of democracy is the right path and direction to keep the third force out. Just like all the political parties have shown maturity by rallying behind the PML-N government in support of democracy, PTI must also learn to walk this tightrope with the same magnanimity and political maturity. If Imran Khan is sure that his mandate has been stolen in the 2013 general elections, he should wait for the evidence to prove it, as is being suggested by the negotiators. The judicial commission under the Supreme Court can solve the conundrum that Imran Khan thinks could not be solved through the election tribunals. But his insistence on sacking the prime minister smells foul. Is someone pulling Imran Khan’s strings? His conduct, exuberance and unfounded excitement leave room for the suspicion. As for Qadri, his annual revolution adventure should be tackled once and for all while a transparent and credible investigation is conducted into the Model Town, Lahore incident.

Pakistan will come out of this situation eventually, but if anything happens to the democratic process, Imran Khan and Tahirul Qadri will be remembered in history as spoilers and not as the saviours of Pakistan, something they claim to be.