For the last three days, a refreshing ice-breaker between Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and Pakistan’s premier on the heels of his refusal to attend the oath-taking ceremonies of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari has prompted analysts from all across the country to put their heads together and spell out the implications. And, why wouldn’t they? The proverbial faces of these two governments have been fighting a ruthless battle for as long as one can remember, and, therefore, the fact that some unidentifiable force of reason has hammered out the semblance of cooperation calls for a spring soiree. The surprising twist might be a cause for joyous–albeit cautious–celebrations because nothing gives the whiff of things moving towards business as usual than the federation realising its priorities. This meeting is rightly being called a crucial moment in the effort to foster collaboration and unity within the country’s political landscape. When key figures come together positively and constructively, it sets a precedent for the rest of the country to follow suit: governance cannot wait for political squabbles to be settled. Any rift within the federation would only serve to hinder progress and development on a national level. We saw how signs of trouble in paradise had continued to steal the limelight amid row upon row between PTI’s federal government and the PPP in Sindh. The uneasy equation did not provide solace to either party; adding to the “masala” of newspaper headlines. Only by setting aside personal agendas, Mr Gandapur can focus on the greater good. There’s a lot that remains to be discussed. Improving relations with the centre could lead to increased provincial shares in the National Finance Commission (NFC) awards and enhanced profitability in the electricity sector. This, in turn, could boost the overall economic growth and development of the province. A working relationship would also encourage the federal government to discuss the potential for regional development initiatives that can easily improve the quality of life for people in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on top of stimulating the country’s economic growth. Pakistan’s political elite may have taken their first step in the much-needed direction of mending ties and fostering collaboration for the greater good of Pakistan but it needs to be followed by many, many more such initiatives that seek to avert the dreaded meltdown. *