Pakistan - The Return Of The Container - #PTI

The government’s August strategy didn’t work and now it is turning gears again to try to squash PTI’s 30th November rally. What is to be achieved by trying to keep protesters away from D chowk again? This will just frustrate the protests, cause a scene and make the chanting of “Go Nawaz go” even louder. Some people never learn.

It seems the government is in no mood to talk to the PTI. There are reports that the PM has now begun meeting with leaders from other parties to formulate a strategy to deal with the PTI’s November 30th event. This time the government might not allow protesters to march freely down Constitution Avenue as PAT and PTI activists did in August. Things feel different. The PMLN seems more confident now; thick-skinned. It is time the government came back to the negotiation table and gave Imran Khan an honorable exit. There is no benefit from squeezing him, and it is ridiculous that with such experienced politicians, the PMLN has not been able to play politics with him. Imran is weak right now. Why not throw him a bone and reel him in? After Imran has shown flexibility on the PM resignations, negotiations over the agreed 5 demands can be a step forward.

Of course there is also the question of whether or not the people still care as much. There were rumours and reposts abound that people had been paid to sit in Islamabad, and that many supporters were there by force. Qadir’s PAT is gone, and the PTI now wants to show that it can run a show on its own. How long is Imrans tedious war going to last with this government? What is he going to do now that he hasn’t done before? Some people never learn.

We would all like to see an end to this disorder. Imran loves to climb the high horse, but his house is in disarray. PTI, PPP, PMLN are important parties and need to compete for votes though their service delivery and performance. PTI’s KPK is outlaw country, PMLN’s Punjab is corrupt and extortionist, and PPP’s Sindh is full of violence, famine and insecurity. The Sharif rule has been a joke, and they must not be allowed to run amok with power in the future. But for now, they legally rule, and they are not going anywhere. The PTI needs a drastic change in strategy.