The government must grasp the opportunity presented by key opposition leader Imran Khan’s offer to meet with the government to discuss the election schedule, or else he will dissolve the provincial assemblies of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. In truth, the offer is an attempt to save face for the former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chairman, who announced his resignation from the “corrupt system” earlier on November 26. The administration, on the other hand, responded as expected, saying that “talks do not come with conditions,” that “Imran Khan should be serious if he truly wants negotiations,” and that “threats, accusations, and abuses and talks cannot coexist.” Imran Khan said in a speech to the Punjab Parliamentary Party that he had decided that either they would sit down with us [and choose a date for the elections] or imagine that there would be elections in almost 66 per cent of Pakistan – in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab – if the assemblies were dissolved. If we dissolve the assembly, all 12 to 13 of the Pakistan Democratic Movement’s currently in-office parties will run in the elections, putting an end to the current administration.
Imran Khan has made a wise U-turn after refusing in the past during his four years in power to engage in dialogue with the opposition. Instead of interpreting Imran’s offer as a sign of weakness, the government ought to start negotiations with him over the election schedule. Imran Khan vowed to dissolve the provincial assemblies this month, in December 2022, after hearing taunts from the opposition. Imran Khan said in a video message to the members of the Parliamentary Party of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly that if the government wants to announce a date for the general election, we are prepared to talk, that our members should get ready for the election whenever one is held, and that the PTI must win right away. Elections are never certain to win or lose, but given the administration’s record on the economic front, it is safe to predict that the coalition governing parties will face formidable opposition in the upcoming elections. Former finance minister Miftah Ismail claims that the current administration is pushing the nation toward default, while current minister Ishaq Dar claims that the IMF no longer has his faith. The economic conditions of the country are gradually getting worse, and there is no clear plan for them. The common man’s life has become challenging due to historical inflation. Relief and rehabilitation are still needed for flood victims. It appears that farmers are experiencing uneasiness regarding the crop-growing process. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, terrorists are regrouping. Looking at the economic situation, it is clear that the foreign exchange reserves are falling quickly; since the end of June, they have dropped another 2.2 billion dollars. abnormal reductions in remittances and, on the other hand, a substantial decline in the balance of accounts in foreign currencies. Imran Khan, the leader of the PTI, needs to be adaptable to election dates. He must be aware that unexpected polls don’t lead to political stability. The government must also understand that the nation needs political stability since it is a prerequisite for economic stability and because elections will give the nation momentum. Whatever the choice, all parties must leave their egotistical states and consider the best interests of the nation.
