ISLAMABAD: As the prevailing political crisis deepens, it appears that the Jamaat-i-Islami (JI), which has so far been playing the role of mediator between the protesting parties and the government, may now finally have to choose sides.

The JI – which is also a coalition partner of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) in the provincial government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa – has convened a meeting of its central shura to deliberate a future course of action.

Now that both the government and the protesting parties have taken highly polarised positions, the JI leadership must decide whether to continue to sit on the fence or pick a side to support outright, a JI office-bearer told Dawn.

Speaking to Dawn, JI Emir Sirajul Haq said the political crisis was too important for the party to remain indifferent to it. Therefore, a meeting of the party shura had been convened to decide a “future line of action”.

Jirga urges govt to release political workers

“I took upon myself the role of chief negotiator following approval from the shura. Now that the situation has entered a critical phase with both the government and protesting parties taking extreme positions, the shura will meet again and give its final word on what the party’s next move should be.”

However, Mr Haq was quick to add that a negotiated deal was the only solution to the persisting political deadlock.

Since Imran Khan landed in Islamabad on August 16 with his Azadi March, Mr Haq has been shuttling between the two sides, calling for ceasefire. Heading a six-member Jirga, consisting of politicians from several parties represented in parliament, Mr Haq has been seen virtually begging the quarrelling sides to find some middle ground.

“It will be a collective decision,” the JI emir said when asked which side he would pick in case the deadlock persisted. Mr Haq said that JI was a genuinely democratic party and took its decisions with a majority vote.

However, a JI source told Dawn that as a coalition partner, the party was under increasing pressure from within and without to take a position.

The PTI side exuded similar vibes. “So far, the PTI hasn’t asked the JI leadership to stand with the party in its march against the government but the two sides are in constant contact with each other,” PTI MNA Dr Arif Alvi told Dawn.

“Of course, if the government fails to address our concerns and the impasse continues, we will surely ask the JI for their support,” said Dr Alvi, adding, “At the end of the day, JI has to stand with one side.”

Over the weekend, both PAT and PTI leaders called off the talks with the government, accusing it of launching a countrywide crackdown on their workers.

Until now, the JI chief has supported PTI’s demands for electoral reforms and took pains to present himself as an impartial mediator.

Last week, at a press conference, the JI emir had said the six-member jirga had worked out a formula which carried the potential to defuse the crisis. Otherwise, he warned, the jirga would go public with its blueprint and let the people decide.

In an off-the-record comment, a PTI leader told Dawn that JI could not afford to continuously sit on the fence and would have to take sides sooner rather than later.

Syed Irfan Raza adds: A member of the jirga has urged the government to release all jailed political workers so dialogue could resume.

“If the prime minister assures us that all PTI and PAT workers will be released and there will be no further arrests, we will bring both protesting parties back to the table,” Senator Rehman Malik of the PPP said.

He said it was quite possible that the protesting parties and the government could reach a consensus on the ‘formula’ presented by the jirga, but the mass arrests had derailed the entire process.

Senator Malik also warned Prime Minister Sharif that if dialogue failed the whole democratic process could be derailed.

Published in Dawn, September 15th , 2014