The long-running saga that is the PTI’s quest to get the PML-N government to create a high-powered commission to investigate allegations of electoral fraud in the May 2013 general election is set to take a new twist – hopefully the last in this most wretched of affairs.

PPP Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Khurshid Shah is set to mediate between the two sides this week and, with both sides welcoming mediation by Mr Shah at this stage, there is surely a chance to put the finishing touches on an agreement that has proved elusive for so many months.

Read: PTI, govt welcome Khurshid Shah’s mediation offer

Until recently, the problem essentially was that the PML-N wanted an inquiry commission to work on terms that would ensure no possibility of mid-term elections while the PTI wanted a commission that could pave the way for mid-term elections, either directly or indirectly by giving the PTI enough ammunition to reinvigorate its anti-government street protests.

So whether PML-N leaders like Finance Minister Ishaq Dar spoke endlessly about their being only minor differences on the terms of reference for the inquiry commission or the PTI leadership spoke innocently of just wanting the facts to emerge, each side was ultimately suspicious of the other’s true intentions.

Also read: PTI announces decision to run for Senate

Now though the situation has changed significantly. A series of concessions by the PTI has made it clear that the party is retreating from its position of demanding mid-term elections – the decision to contest the upcoming Senate elections being just the latest sign that the PTI is returning to full-time participation in parliamentary politics.

In the present scenario, even were the PTI to try and twist the facts and findings of an inquiry commission to once again demand the ouster of the government, it would be perhaps one too many a flip-flop for the public to digest – and without mass public support the PTI will never be able to topple the government.

So the risk of betrayal by the PTI is lower than ever, while the onus of responsibility on the PML-N is greater than ever. Much as the PTI and PML-N would like to cast this as a private, albeit high-stakes, dispute, what the affair is really about is the goal of free and fair elections where every vote cast is counted and is legitimate.

That is the people’s right – the right that the government owes to the people and which needs to be delivered to the people.

Published in Dawn February 2nd , 2015

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