Excitement is in the air. Something is about to happen. A domestic ceasefire may be in the offing. Talk of some deal is getting louder. Is the anticipated breakthrough around the corner?

Wait. Take a deep breath. There is more to this than meets the eye.

To get a sense of the state of play, one fact is key. The relationship between the establishment and PTI was pegged on May 9. Now it is defined by May 10.

Consider the scope of this change and suddenly things become clearer. The central question about Khan’s release is now framed inside the new power differential between the two antagonists. If Khan is to receive any relief, such relief will be premised less on what the establishment can deliver, and more on what Khan can offer. It is a layered premise.

The top layer is all about building national unity anew. India has, ironically, healed many of our internal fissures. It has also given us a moment of national euphoria that most craved for. The recent conflict has reminded us that domestic disputes pale in comparison to external threats. The state, above all, recognises and – quite possibly – acknowledges the need to settle such disputes. The........

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