The PTI is headed for a collision course with the PML-N-led coalition government. The political drama witnessed on the streets in Islamabad, Lahore, and rest of the country shows the PTI is adamant on holding the ‘Azadi March’ despite the obstacles in their way.
As expected, police resorted to high-handed tactics in dealing with the protesters as several cavalcades began reaching from across the country. These attempts were futile as the party leaders managed to evade arrests and activists broke all barriers to continue with the long march.
The PTI’s demand is simple: Dissolve the government and call immediate elections. The government made an abrupt shift in strategy and decided to deal with the marchers head on which seems to have been backfired. There are immense concerns over what happens next and whether the ruling coalition will remain intact.
Interestingly, the PPP seems to have an ambivalent approach and has left the decisions on Prime Minster Shehbaz Sharif. It knows well the measures could be counter-productive and the PML-N will face the brunt of the political cost. The PML-N maintains it had no option but to go for pre-emptive arrests and detentions to maintain law and order.
The decision on dealing with the PTI’s long march was a double-edged sword for the government. If Imran Khan manages to reach Islamabad, it will be a greater test for the government which was under the impression it can regain ground over the PTI. Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah was given the task to deal with the PTI marchers and it happened exactly as expected. Police resorted to violence, firing tear gas, arrests, detentions, road closures and harassment which was widely condemned.
All eyes were on the powerful quarters to diffuse the situation or help the government survive the political storm. Both sides refuted rumours that a deal was reached to reduce the long march to a rally. However, it is necessary to keep the dialogue open to prevent any further escalation. Perhaps it might be too late for it and the situation has moved beyond. The nation is no stranger to such incidents and is once again on the crossroad.
