Grand dialogue inevitable for political, economic stability after CM offer amid postponement of long march: Experts
PESHAWAR (APP): A broad-based political dialogue between the government and opposition parties is essential to address the prevailing political, economic, security and socioeconomic challenges and strengthen democratic institutions in the country.
Political analysts and lawmakers said on Sunday that the sustained dialogue among political stakeholders could help reduce confrontation, resolve all differences through negotiations and create favourable conditions for democratic continuity and a smooth democratic process.
The postponement of the proposed long march by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister and his offer to hold talks with the centre have created an opportunity for both sides to engage in meaningful negotiations and ease political tensions.
“In a democratic system, the doors to political dialogue among government and opposition entities are always open to take decisions in the national interest,” said Professor Dr A.H. Hilali, former chairman of the Department of Political Science at the University of Peshawar, while talking to APP.
He described the one-week postponement of the long march by CM KP as a golden opportunity for the government and opposition to set aside political differences and address genuine issues through negotiations and table tasks.
“Confrontation between political forces will serve nothing but weaken democracy, and increases masses problems manifolds,” he said.
Dr Hilali said Pakistan’s political history showed that the absence of dialogue among political parties had contributed to political instability and institutional disruption, with serious socioeconomic and political consequences.
Referring to the political crisis of 1977, he said agitation by the Pakistan National Alliance (PNA), comprising nine religious and political parties, over allegations of rigging in the general elections led to widespread unrest and ultimately the imposition of martial law on July 5, 1977.
He said the political crises of the 1990s also demonstrated the consequences of confrontation, as the elected governments of former prime ministers Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif were dismissed on charges of political confrontation.
The political instability among politicians, he added, was followed by another military takeover on October 12, 1999.
“Unfortunately, our politicians have not learnt lessons from history and have again started wrangling by closing the doors of political dialogue despite the country’s difficult economic situation besides rise of terrorism incidents on KP,” Dr Hilali said.
He stressed that negotiations remained an integral part of democratic politics and that political parties should retain flexibility to find common ground on issues of national importance.
“The political mercury that touched a new height of confrontation after the PTI’s long march call for September 27 needs to be brought down through constructive political dialogue between the government and opposition parties,” he said.
On legal cases involving a political leader, Dr Hilali said such matters should be decided by the courts, adding that political parties should pursue their legal cases through constitutional and judicial forums.
He said dialogue was also needed on electoral and judicial reforms besides collective efforts are required to improve governance, combate corruption and terrorism, particularly in view of the security challenges confronting Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
He pointed to recent deadly attacks in Dera Ismail Khan and Kohat, saying the province faced a serious terrorism challenge requiring greater attention to policing, intelligence and counterterrorism capabilities.
Dr Hilali said the KP government should focus on good governance and strengthen the police and Counter Terrorism Department through improved training, modern equipment and adequate resources, including armoured vehicles.
He also called for greater attention to illiteracy and unemployment, saying targeted programmes were needed to create employment opportunities for educated youth.
Meanwhile, PML-N MPA Malik Tariq Awan said Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif had extended dialogue offers to opposition parties on several occasions, but, according to him, the PTI had not responded positively.
He claimed the proposed long march could cause substantial economic losses and estimated the potential loss at Rs120 billion per day.
Awan also questioned the performance of PTI-led provincial governments during their 14 years tenure in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, asking the party leadership to present its record of governance and development before the people of the province.
The lawmaker also criticised PTI leaders over their positions on development projects, citing the Peshawar Bus Rapid Transit project as an example of a project that, he claimed, the PTI government ultimately pursued despite earlier criticism of similar initiatives at Lahore snd Islamabad.
He said political parties should compete on the basis of their performance, policies and programmes rather than confrontation.
Awan said PML-N governments had contributed to infrastructure, education, health and energy projects in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, adding that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was continuing the development approach associated with PML-N leader Muhammad Nawaz Sharif.
He said the PML-N would focus on education, healthcare, sports facilities, youth empowerment and infrastructure development in the province and continue its political activities across KP.
The PML-N lawmaker also alleged that the Kohistan corruption case had exposed corruption and maladministration in KP, and claimed that the postponement of the long march reflected a lack of public support.
He further claimed that the arrest of several PTI leaders by themselves had weakened the party’s mobilisation efforts especially in KP.
On the possibility of imposing governor’s rule, Awan said it was a constitutional mechanism and claimed that the federal government could invoke it if the provincial government failed to perform its functions in accordance with the Constitution and law.
