Maryam’s olive branch

Maryam Nawaz has hinted at dialogue with the establishment on the precondition that the PTI government is sent home packing. After months of confrontation and a hostile narrative, the PML-N has finally extended an olive branch to state institutions.

There seemed to be a rift within the PDM after Bilawal opposed Nawaz Sharif’s narrative and said it was not part of the alliance’s agenda to mention any names of the military leadership. But days later, he took a step back saying no one was stopped either and it was the decision of the PML-N. The strategy was well played out as the PPP does not want any confrontation with the military and is more concerned about tackling Imran Khan’s government.

The PDM will be holding its next political gathering in Peshawar – the stronghold of the PTI government. Maryam Nawaz has attempted to pacify all stakeholders by hinting at possible dialogue with the army. However, this will not involve the PTI government and the talks will be held openly. It needs to be seen if the military reciprocates and agrees to any dialogue bypassing the prime minister.

The military leadership was expected to brief parliamentary leaders on national security issues. The meeting was abruptly cancelled after PM Imran Khan refused to sit with the opposition and other parties are considering whether they should attend the briefing. Although it concerns matters of national security, it is likely that political issues will be brought up in the meeting.

The PDM wants to give the impression that it is not splitting away but the situation states otherwise. PML-N leaders in Balochistan such as Abdul Qadir Baloch and Sanaullah Zehri have resigned, while JUI-F spokesman has been removed for opposing Nawaz Sharif’s narrative. The PDM may find it hard to maintain the burden of the anti-narrative and collapse on its own weight.

The PML-N has refused to acknowledge that its politics is heading towards a dead alley. Maryam claims this is the way forward but such a narrative had seldom found ground in the complex world of Pakistani politics. Apart from the rhetoric and rallies, the PDM has not mounted any significant threat to Imran’s government. By reaching out to the military, Maryam Nawaz has played a move out of the playbook which could backfire if the PML-N does not receive any response.