Not many in Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) and rival Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) were happy over Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ali Amin Gandapur’s onstructive meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the Prime Minister House in Islamabad.
I was glad to see the picture in which both dignitaries sat comfortably and Gandapur was feeling at home. I wanted to give a call to Gandpur for his constructive gesture. I also conveyed my gratitude to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for welcoming a rival politician.
When the governments set off, many were predicting a war of words and war of administration between the centre and KP provincial governments.
But the meeting marked a departure from the usual politics of blame game, with political parties and their leadership hailing it as a pivotal development for enhancing governmental relations.
Other than inside meeting story, what was issued to the media was also welcoming.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif extended a warm welcome to Ali Amin Gandapur, and discussed the importance of collaboration among the four provinces as federal units for the nation’s progress. In response, CM Ali Amin Gandapur conveyed his commitment to advancing the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government’s agenda with sincerity, underscoring its dedication to national development. He provided a comprehensive overview of the province’s administrative affairs, to which Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif assured that all legitimate demands of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa would be met within the constraints of the economic situation, prioritizing public welfare. The federal government reiterated its belief in fostering harmonious collaboration with all provinces.
Post-meeting, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister described the interaction as positive, noting the Prime Minister’s assurance of cooperation and acceptance of demands.
Both sides spoke to the media as well.
Alongside Federal Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Mr Gandapur pledged to abstain from making unrealistic demands from the federal government, highlighting the Prime Minister’s commitment to settle the province’s dues.
The meeting, though being resented by PTI cadres would bring about a positive change for PTI’s troubled workers.
CM Gandapur raised the issue of meeting with the imprisoned founder of PTI concerning Senate elections, to which the Prime Minister pledged to facilitate a meeting soon.
Minister Ahsan Iqbal was equally positive in his remarks, though PML-N social media activists have opposed the meeting.
Ahsan Iqbal stressed the government’s dedication to promoting peace and development in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The meeting, attended by Federal Ministers Ishaq Dar, Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Amir Maqam, and senior government officials, signifies a collective effort towards fostering inter-provincial cooperation for national progress.
Regrettably, the political landscape in our nation has descended into a realm of personal animosity, where political differences have morphed into bitter enmity. This extreme polarization has led to unabated political confrontations, threatening the stability of our democratic system. Such discord not only undermines the fabric of our nation but also inflicts severe damage on our already fragile economy. Opportunistic elements, including adversaries of the state and undemocratic forces, exploit these divisions to sow seeds of instability and jeopardize our national security.
While political dissent is an inherent aspect of democracy, escalating differences to the level of personal vendetta tarnishes the very essence of our democratic ideals. While constructive criticism within elected bodies and party forums is vital for rectifying systemic flaws and enhancing governance, transforming political disagreements into personal feuds risks derailing the pursuit of stability and exacerbating pressing economic challenges. A path towards national reconciliation must be sought.
We have endured the repercussions of transforming political disputes into personal vendettas in the past, witnessing the repeated subversion of democracy through extra-constitutional means. These actions only exacerbated our problems, fostering a culture of hatred that permeated through institutions, families, and society at large, threatening to unravel the very fabric of our nation. Over the past decade, this blame game culture has eroded our social values, casting a shadow over our democratic processes.
