Elections or no elections? This is the million dollar question facing the nation today. Imran Khan’s demand is that elections should be held immediately to defuse the ongoing political crisis. But the PDM government is adamant that polls will be held next October as scheduled. The debate has been going on endlessly with the two parties firmly holding their ground.

Imran Khan wants early elections because he is at the height of his popularity and is sure that he will win with an overwhelming majority of seats. On the other hand, the government does not want elections now as it is fearful that it will lose badly, given the worsening economic situation, rising prices and bad governance.

Backing up his call for elections, Imran Khan has threatened to dissolve the provincial legislatures of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab. This is clearly a move to increase pressure for the acceptance of his demand. In response, the PDM-led federal government has begun taking counter-measures to save the two assemblies from being dissolved.

Some PML-N leaders have talked of moving a no-confidence motion against Punjab Chief Minister Pervez Elahi. But following the Supreme Court judgement on floor-crossing which sealed the fate of horse-trading, a reenactment of April’s National Assembly no-confidence vote is not possible. Further, since the respective assemblies are in session, the option of Governor’s rule can also not be exercised.

What we are facing today is a political deadlock which is not in the interest of the country. Political uncertainty and instability is having an adverse impact on the economy. Rising inflation, the rupee’s free fall and the dwindling foreign exchange reserves have pushed the country to the brink of default. The country is confronted with huge repayment liabilities which it cannot discharge due to its precarious financial position. It is estimated that at least $15 billion are needed to stay afloat during the first quarter of the next year. But the government’s treasury is empty. It cannot be emphasized too much that without political stability, sustainable economic growth is not possible.

It is a good sign that lately some conciliatory statements have emanated from both the government and the opposition which are said to be holding informal parleys. While the PTI is said to be using the good offices of President Arif Alvi, the ruling coalition is banking on some of their senior members for the purpose.

Mellowing down a little, PTI Chairman Imran Khan a few days ago said that they would not dissolve the provincial assemblies in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa if the ruling alliance at the Centre agreed to hold general elections across the country by end-March next year. He also said that his party won’t agree on a date after March and assemblies will be dissolved by the end of December if the government disagrees.

On its part, the government invited the PTI to hold “unconditional talks”, saying that negotiations are a part of the political process and complex problems are resolved when two sides hear each other out. Addressing a joint press conference with Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah, Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique said that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf should sit down and negotiate with the government to resolve the impasse over holding early general elections. But they said that threats and talks cannot go together.

With the change of command in the military, a new hopeful scenario has developed in the country of which the political leadership should take full advantage. This is the time for both the government and the PTI to show maturity and wisdom to begin a new era of much-desired political stability. Politics is the art of the possible. It is about showing flexibility and a spirit of accommodation. This is how democracy works. It is time for all stakeholders to sit together and hammer out a compromise solution acceptable to all concerned.

Analysed closely, the positions of the government and the PTI on the holding of next elections are not too far apart. As stated repeatedly, the PDM wants elections in October next year, while Imran Khan demands early polls. If both sides relent a little and concede five months each, the polls can be scheduled midway around April-May next year. This can be a face-saving formula and win-win situation for both. The country is in the clutches of a severe politico-economic crisis. It is a test of the mettle of the political leadership. The question is: Will they rise above their narrow partisan considerations and act in the larger national interest?