THE talks between the government and the opposition were doomed from the outset, even though the fact that the two sides sat face to face at the negotiating table was a positive sign. The meeting took place under the shadow of the PTI’s threatened long march to Islamabad, while the government brandished the option of governor’s rule in KP. The tension was palpable. The capital was sealed off with containers and the highways were blocked.

Days before the talks, the military leadership warned against any repeat of a May 9-like situation — a clear message to the opposition not to cross the red line. Some opposition leaders, for their part, wanted a negotiated deal to bring down the political temperature. The prolonged discussions suggested a measure of seriousness on both sides, but mutual distrust and brinkmanship blocked any breakthrough.

The two sides gave contrary accounts of why the talks collapsed after a marathon sitting. The government contended that the opposition backed out after agreeing to a final draft; the other side denied this, saying the differences were too wide to bridge. That so-called final draft is not in the public domain, but two major points of difference appear to have defeated the agreement. The PTI insisted on a meeting with Imran Khan, while the government wanted the KP provincial government to give unqualified support to the counterterrorism operation being carried out by the security forces.

While conceding to the opposition’s demand that the former prime minister be allowed to meet his family and his lawyers, as ordered by the Islamabad High Court, and agreeing to........

© Dawn