THE door is still open for talks, National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq has reminded the PTI. What matters, however, is the mood in the opposition camp. Key opposition leaders agreed this past week on the common agenda of seeking fresh elections. Their meeting created enough of a stir that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif took it upon himself to visit JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, bouquet in hand, at the latter’s residence. Though the details of their discussion were not formally shared, a few media outlets reported that the maulana had spoken his mind. It seems pertinent to mention here that the JUI-F chief recently publicly reiterated a demand for fresh elections, describing the option as the only solution to Pakistan’s crisis. The opposition seems upset with the high-handedness on display by the ruling parties, especially after the enactment of a slew of legislation aimed at solidifying their grip on power. There appears to be a growing realisation that a concerted pushback may be necessary, which could lead to a showdown.

Though the PTI may be tempted to take the confrontational path once again, especially if it feels the rest of the opposition may also rally around it, it is worth giving the offered talks a chance. The previous round of negotiations was called off too abruptly and prematurely by the PTI side, apparently because the party’s leadership sensed the government was not serious about forming judicial commissions to probe the Nov 26, 2024, and May 9, 2023, incidents. Now, the prime minister is inviting the party back and has offered a commission to investigate both the 2018 and 2024 general elections, which does not seem like a bad idea. Indeed, with the incarcerated PTI chief also pushing for politics to be left to politicians, this may be a good time for a dispassionate inquiry into how non-democratic forces prevailed over the last two elections. Ordinary voters deserve to know how they have been wronged. Such a commission could uncover the injustices suffered by the various political parties, provide them catharsis and closure, and prompt an honest discussion among the civilian stakeholders on how the country should move on. If both sides can cede some space on each other’s demands, they will be off to a good start.

Published in Dawn, February 9th, 2025