Point of no return
THE confrontation between the two major political parties of the country which began in February seems to have reached a point of no return. As a last bid to foster reconciliation, the allies of the government held talks with the PML-N leadership. But the PML-N is adamant about having its demands met without softening its stance. Likewise, the government is not willing to accept these demands and thus there are indications of a further deepening of the crisis. The prob- lem is that if this crisis is not averted it will prove to be detrimental to democracy.
This is what is haunting the wise in the country. History is witness to the fact that whenever such situa- tions arise they not only result in a loss to one party but to all. That is why dia- logue should take place and de- mands should be changed ac- cordingly.
Whenever the government has been at fault regarding the PMLN, it has been criticised. Thus the PML-N should be more compro- mising. The tone of the Sharif brothers is extremely hostile and they seem set on taking on the government.
Holding public meetings and targeting one personality, the PML-N seems to have discarded the option of dialogue. The rul- ing coalition had indicated that it wanted to talk to the PML-N leadership, which meant that the government wanted to resolve the issue. But the PML-N leadership was not in a compromising mood….
The forces that are opting for confrontation should focus on the fact that such quarrels have kept civilian leaders out of the country for 10 years. Not only did they suffer in exile but the people were also deprived of democracy.
If there had been a democrat ic government in the country for these 10 years, the people of the country would not have to bear the brunt of the policies and actions of a dictator. The political leadership, whether in or out of power, should think of the loss the country incurs when non-democratic forces assume power and this thought, we hope, will make them soften its stance.
Ten years back the situation was quite different. The internal and external situation of today demands that political forces should avoid confrontation. The nation wants reconciliation because confrontation will weaken the country. — (March 06) ¦ Selected and translated by Sohail Sangi
This is what is haunting the wise in the country. History is witness to the fact that whenever such situa- tions arise they not only result in a loss to one party but to all. That is why dia- logue should take place and de- mands should be changed ac- cordingly.
Whenever the government has been at fault regarding the PMLN, it has been criticised. Thus the PML-N should be more compro- mising. The tone of the Sharif brothers is extremely hostile and they seem set on taking on the government.
Holding public meetings and targeting one personality, the PML-N seems to have discarded the option of dialogue. The rul- ing coalition had indicated that it wanted to talk to the PML-N leadership, which meant that the government wanted to resolve the issue. But the PML-N leadership was not in a compromising mood….
The forces that are opting for confrontation should focus on the fact that such quarrels have kept civilian leaders out of the country for 10 years. Not only did they suffer in exile but the people were also deprived of democracy.
If there had been a democrat ic government in the country for these 10 years, the people of the country would not have to bear the brunt of the policies and actions of a dictator. The political leadership, whether in or out of power, should think of the loss the country incurs when non-democratic forces assume power and this thought, we hope, will make them soften its stance.
Ten years back the situation was quite different. The internal and external situation of today demands that political forces should avoid confrontation. The nation wants reconciliation because confrontation will weaken the country. — (March 06) ¦ Selected and translated by Sohail Sangi
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