POPULAR political parties encompass various sets of opinion, each coming to the fore at its turn. There is a time for the belligerent, the acrimonious and the incorrigibly quarrelsome; once these have caused whatever impact is required of them, it is time for saner minds to take over and appear to save the day — for their parties, for national politics, and for the country as a whole. For the various outcomes of the process the PTI started back when it embarked upon its dharna, that time seems to have come.

Much muck has been thrown around over whether PTI lawmakers should be de-seated or not. It is time now for sober elements to step in and perform the task of reconciling everyone to a compromise. This is true for all parties to the dispute — the PTI, the PML-N, as well as those who have so far stuck to their plan of moving a resolution in the parliament seeking the disqualification of PTI members on technical grounds. Resolution is, by definition, to remedy a situation — not complicate and threaten further. Thus those behind the de-seating resolution must be careful to not take their advance against their common opponent too far — unless they want to risk being viewed as irresponsible elements looking for an answer to the issue through unravelling. The dangers of the drive getting out of hand are very much there; the point has been taken and it is time to move on.

There are a few obvious lines that need to be taken. The PTI must be a little more consistent and far more convincing in its expression of trust in evolving a system. It has been at the receiving end of an intense campaign to discredit it as a political party. A cool-headed analysis will, however, appreciate Imran Khan’s contribution to accelerate the process of reform, including — significantly — in the manner in which the elections are organised. The PTI can — and ought to — take the confidence gained from these successes and invest its energies in effecting improvements wherever it can. The government, on the other hand, must set an example in how committed it is to not wasting time over frivolities and distractions that must be avoided in aid of the people and an urge to tackle their real issues. This is not to say that the PML-N’s refrain against Mr Khan and his party for the ‘wasteful’ sit-in in Islamabad cannot be challenged. But a government which is so eager to point out the damage caused to the national economy by an obdurate opponent must show character when its gets the opportunity. De-seating must not distract; there are serious issues of the people awaiting the kind attention of the elected elite. The bickering has to stop and some real debate should be heard being conducted in its place.

Published in Dawn, August 2nd, 2015

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