The political wrangling between the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) continues unabated. The much-awaited verdict of the election tribunal for NA-122 has further escalated the crisis while the game of allegations and counter-allegations is still on from both sides. PTI chief Imran Khan is sticking to his demand for formation of a judicial commission to carry out a vote audit to prove alleged massive rigging in the 2013 elections while the government seems in no mood to accept this demand now. The situation has led to a persistent political deadlock. Under these circumstances, when no party is ready to budge on its stance, the masses are becoming the ultimate sufferer. Despite the fact that most of the verdicts in election-related cases before the election tribunals have not gone in favour of the PTI, the government does not seem ready to form a judicial commission. Rather, it is urging Imran to shun the politics of protest and get his grievances redressed through parliament. Rigging or no rigging, the focus should be on resolution of this election controversy. The key agenda of PTI’s protest campaign is that the ruling PML-N in connivance with the judiciary and caretaker set-up massively rigged the general elections and bogus votes were cast in various Punjab constituencies, which have already been challenged by the PTI before election tribunals. Although there was never any guarantee that the eventual outcomes would be in favour of the PTI, and this has been borne out in the majority of cases of challenging the election results, the government does not seem inclined to accept the terms of the PTI. The matter is once again generating heat and the PTI has given a deadline of January 18 to the government, threatening to launch a second phase of its protest movement all over the country.
In the broader national interest, the government should show some flexibility and accept the persistent demand of PTI about formation of an independent judicial commission. The government should understand that this is a do or die situation for Imran, who is struggling for his political credibility. It is nevertheless the responsibility of PTI to remain peaceful in its protests. The whole nation is bearing the brunt of this political gridlock. Already, a long march and dharna for a record number of days in Islamabad caused a huge dent to our economy, which is already plagued by terrorism and recession. Our country cannot afford a further round of the politics of agitation and protest. It is time for both parties to refrain from their war of words and work together for ending the crisis. *