The curtain has come down on a conciliatory note as the PTI’s long march was called off on Thursday morning
It was a much-desired respite as the proposed sit-in at D-Chowk, which was a battleground overnight as police and protesters clashed, was called off
Imran Khan took a pause from agitation, and wrapped it up by delivering a six-day ultimatum to the government to dissolve the National Assembly and announce polls
Apparently, a lot of persuasion and necessary guarantees from the powers-that-be had led to the climb-down
While it remains to be seen what measures the government adopts to pacify the opposition in order to avoid another showdown on the streets, the tendency to talk it out and iron out differences amicably is most welcome
The Supreme Court deserves commendation for ensuring that none of the confronting parties went over the brink
Its directives for the government to desist from administrative highhandedness, remove blockades, release political activists, and enable the PTI to assemble and disperse peacefully by avoiding a sit-in had made better sense prevail
Likewise, on Thursday morning the five-member bench exhibited utmost magnanimity as it dismissed a petition filed by the government seeking contempt proceedings against Khan, and urged both parties to abide by law and stop being judgmental
The honourable chief justice said the bench had not been formed to accuse anyone but to protect constitutional rights
That was a generous approach in tense and divisive times
The court superbly tried to establish trust between the parties involved, and made efforts to protect citizens’ constitutionally guaranteed rights
The preemptive proceedings as a mediator, well before the long march started, made the difference
The onus is now on the political parties to address the soaring polarisation and economic downslide by strictly adhering to rule of law and constitution
While the PTI demands early elections, the coalition government looks keen to complete the term or at least do it at a time of its choosing
There is need for the two parties to narrow down this difference as much as possible
An amicable consensus could rid the nation of the ensuing turmoil and save an economic collapse
Published in The Express Tribune, May 27th, 2022
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| Date: | 28-May-2022 | Reference: | View Original Link |
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