Impassable impasse

Despite the fact that the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaaf has postponed its much-touted ‘long march’ from September 27, 2026 to October 4, the state of heightened tension between the government and the opposition remains firmly in place.

Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sohail Afridi has returned to his song about the input of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa being included in national counter-terror policy.

His argument revolves around the deteriorating security situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa being due to the Centre’s faulty approach to the problem of terrorism.

He does not refrain from returning time and again to his old and worn tune of the need to distinguish between ‘good’ and ‘bad’ Taliban, despite the fact that by now, given the Afghan Taliban regime’s continuing support to the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan in their unrelenting and escalating campaign inside Pakistan, such nuances no longer make any sense. In essence, the ‘good’ ‘bad’ Taliban swan song betrays a soft corner for the Taliban per se, a position the Chief Minister has no doubt inherited and picked up from his incarcerated leader Imran Khan.

There are cross currents within the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaaf regarding the way forward. Chairman Gohar’s repeated arguments that the party will only mount a peaceful protest (whenever it now takes place) find few takers within the government or the establishment. The suspicion on this side that another May 9, 2023 incident can be expected is still held firmly.

Even after Islamabad and its approaches have been sealed off against any such intrusion, arrests of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaaf workers and leaders continue. Adiala Jail, where Imran Khan currently resides, has been put under heightened security. Prohibitive fines are envisaged for a repeat of the destruction of Islamabad’s security cameras and architecture on May 9, 2023.

While the impasse between the two sides continues, there are a few voices arguing for dialogue still. One such is Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi. On the one hand he argues that the given prevailing law and order situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa militates against any ‘long march’ on Islamabad.

He goes on to suggest that all political forces should sit across the table and devise a joint strategy for establishing peace in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. But just under the surface of these seemingly reconciliatory remarks, Governor Kundi insists that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government neither speaks against terrorism emanating from Afghanistan nor has it passed any resolution in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly against the menace. These latter statements must be juxtaposed with the current idea being floated for Governor’s Rule being imposed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaaf ‘dares’ the government to do so. Hothead Advocate Naeem Haider Panjutha threatens that, in such an eventuality, they will cause an uprising of the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa that will sweep Governor’s Rule away.

While this extremism may be forgiven as desperation, it says little about the strategic and tactical soundness of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaaf’s campaign. In essence, the campaign is about the release of Imran Khan, the prospects for which appear dim, to say the least.

Another voice preaching dialogue and a peaceful end to the current political deadlock is that of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s Khwaja Saad Rafique. He argues that since the entire country is paying the price of the deadlock, both the government and the opposition must rise above “ego, stubbornness and factionalism” to pursue dialogue.

The former federal minister stresses that the state must take the first step forward toward reconciliation to prevent further loss of life and property. If there is a genuine intention to resolve issues, he pleads, a way forward can always be found. He argues that both sides tearing apart each other’s self-respect is a sign of petty-mindedness, not something to take pride in.

While there is weight in the soft cadences of Governor Kundi and especially Khwaja Saad Rafique, they seem to fly in the face of the impassable impasse in which both sides and the country is stuck for the foreseeable future.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026