President Asif Ali Zardari hailed the recent meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, saying it was time to begin the process of healing the divisions, restoring confidence in democracy and keeping Pakistan above all. The president’s statement connected with the ice-breaking development wherein the K-P chief minister met with Shehbaz Sharif on March 13. He asked the Prime Minister for civic engagement with the PTI founder, Imran Khan.
The recent outreach between the ruling coalition government and the PTI-led opposition is a major development and ice-breaking activity in a highly polarized and split society. There had been wide-ranging admiration for the meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz and the KP Chief Minister during which Gandapur raised the issue of impending payments to the province on account of Hydel power reality along with disbursement of 3% NFC share under the 25th amendment for development and integration of newly merged districts of Erstwhile FATA. Prime Minister Shehbaz and his team assured Chief Minister KP of fulfilling all financial needs of the province despite monetary constraints and economic slowdown in the country. Both sides displayed political resilience, and maturity, throwing away the baggage of the unpleasant past and moving forward with fresh team spirit and motivation to build a better future for the country and the public who gave them the mandate to steer the nation out of prevailing crises.
Historically, the nation suffered enormously from continued political clashes and economic crises that significantly polarized society and brought the country to the verge of an economic collapse. The unceasing political instability resulted in a zero-sum game that neither benefited the opposition nor rescued the treasury. There are certain rules and limits for political work, civic activities, opposition, and criticism that are determined by the country’s interests and public needs. During these pages, the Frontier Post has been advocating for securing national consensus, achieving a charter of democracy, and a charter of the economy to draw clear lines for the politicians and civic groups not to endanger the country’s democracy, risk the economy, and violate foreign policy. Politics must cover public issues but not trade in national interests, the country’s prestige, and territorial sovereignty.
In fact, political resilience is essential for democratic countries to navigate uncertainty, adapt to changing circumstances, and protect their citizens. Political consensus on national issues plays a crucial role in fostering stability, progress, and sustainable peace within a country. Addressing national issues through consensus contributes to lasting peace and prevents cycles of crisis and instability. Our nation consists of multiple communities, tribes, and clans with diverse traditions and pluralistic cultures. A variety of political views and affiliations hence no single party can claim a 100 percent mandate from across the country, wherein each civic group represents a specific school of thought and political legacy. This country belongs to 240 million people, not a single clan, ethnic group, or a political entity. Hence, all stakeholders must accept each other political worth, mutual consensus and peaceful coexistence are the only way forward. There is a divided mandate and no single party is in the position to solely form its government. If the sole purpose of our leaders and civic groups is to steer the nation through prevailing challenges there is no way forward except dialogue, engagement, teamwork, and cooperation.
The recent contact between the two political opponents has lowered the boiling political temperature and rekindled the hope of reconciliation, and cooperation in the larger interest of the nation. The ruling coalition must respond positively by engaging with the PTI leader to forge consensus and better working coordination across the political spectrum. Our leadership must demonstrate political maturity and resilience, which is the essence of politics, to overcome current challenges and pave the way for a better future.
