Former president Asif Ali Zardari has started reaching out to everyone in the political spectrum in order to break the ice, senior anchorperson Javed Chaudhry said. The PPP co-chairman, also revered by his supporters as eik Zardari sab pa bhari [one Zardari prevails upon everybody], maneuvering comes at a time cascade of crises collide in Pakistan.

“Asif Ali Zardari has been tasked with the job to start the dialogue and he is very active on this matter,” Chaudhry said at Shaukat Piracha show Rubaroo on Aaj News on Saturday. “I think before April 15 or April 16 or after Eid, the dialogue will start in Pakistan. In this, Imran Khan’s own partners have played a major role by highlighting that they have no other option than talks.”

Though he did not mention who has given the task, the PPP announced its decision on Friday to approach all the parties in the coalition government for taking a joint position on the issue of dialogue among the political parties.

According to Chaudhry, Zardari’s task was decided after the National Security Committee. But the NSC statement did not mention anything about the political situation.

Pakistan is dealing with a political crisis that turned into a judicial crisis, with the Supreme Court’s decision to conduct snap Punjab polls on May 14. The National Assembly and the cabinet have rejected it. The National Security Committee has agreed to launch a fresh anti-terror operation, hinting that the elections were not possible next month.

All this is happening when the South Asian country is grappling with the financial crisis, waiting for the staff-level agreement with the International Monetary Fund. Once signed, the board would release more than $1 billion. Experts say it would pave the way for funds from other donor agencies and friendly countries.

Amidst this, the political parties have been divided on dialogue as they hold their grievances against each other.

When asked whether Khan would sit for the dialogue, Chaudhry gave a green signal as it was the last resort. He was of the view that statements against each other were part of the political rhetoric. The PTI chairman was learning like his predecessors—Nawaz Sharif and Asif Ali Zardari—after five to six years of his confrontational politics.

Khan has always maintained that he would not sit with his archrivals, who he accuses of corruption. He believes that it would be against his promise to his supporters.

Chaudhry, who is also a columnist, was of the view that the PPP co-chairman is the only person having great potential to bring everyone to the table. “This time Zardari is in connection with the Chaudhrys, Nawaz Sharif, and Imran Khan as they have a mutual friend. So the PPP will lead the talks and call an APC [All Parties Conference] which will be attended by Khan.”

He reiterated that would be the last dialogue, warning that if it failed the country would lead towards martial law.

PPP leader Qamar Zaman Kaira was also a guest on the show. He is serving as the adviser on Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit Baltistan in the federal cabinet.

He did not give any information when asked whether Zardari would contact Khan or not. But he gave hints that in order to break the ice, there are ways: common friends, the second tier of party leadership, and another forum like journalists. Such a process reaches the final stage of talks.

Kaira went on to add that direct talks lead to bitterness that makes it difficult to correct the course.

“We have made an attempt, hopefully, the situation will be better,” he said while speaking about the party’s core committee meeting on Friday.

The PPP leader wondered if there was any other option than talks. The consensus from all parties would also help in reaching a consensus on the charter of economy.

When asked whether Zardari was leading the talks, Kaira said that his party’s core committee of Friday called for talking to allies. The PPP co-chairman would start contacting leaders and have meetings after coming back from Karachi, he added.

Government, establishment on ‘same page’

The senior anchorperson described the timing of the National Security Committee meeting as “important”. He claimed that it could have been delayed or held before 10 days, however, it was conducted when the SC’s temperature was high and polarisation in the country.

“The only purpose was to give this message that we are with the government. That establishment and government are on one page,” he said. Chaudhry lauded the response from political parties to the NSC statement.

But Kaira negated the senior anchorperson’s claims that the political situation was discussed.

Social media campaign

According to Chaudhry, the social media campaign against state institutions was held from three to four offices in Houston, United States. These were operated by Indians and Israelis, he said, adding that the office in Canada was also operating it.

He claimed that such information was given by the people to the police and the FIA who were recently arrested.

The senior anchorperson claimed that the government was making a law to determine the kind of language and material to be used for state institutions. The punishment could be “horrifying”, he warned in case of violation.

Will government appeal?

“The point is that the confusion in the SC can only be resolved by them as four judges have objected to the decision and maintained that the petition was not maintainable. So obviously, when SC judges are saying so they have to decide and form a larger bench. I think the March 27 decision will have no value in this case. When ECP will appear in court with a statement that they have not received the Rs21 billion required to hold polls, as per my reports, the commission will seek a plea that we are confused and seek guidance from the court that whether this decision was of 4-3 or 3-2.”

What about CJP decision

Chaudhry: “The CJP decision stands but so does the government, which has rejected the ruling in cabinet and the National Assembly. When ECP is unable to understand then the government will be summoned by the court. They will say we are also confused as the cabinet and Parliament has said they will not accept the decision. So I think it will be very difficult for the SC as to who will be punished, will it be the PM? But the PM is not government as the top court has said in its decision that the cabinet is the government. So will it punish the more than 75 cabinet members? When you will call the cabinet you will have to individually deal with the members who will separately have lawyers. So it cannot be finalized in this way. Members will say the NA told them. I think there are two ways to clear it: SC itself forms a larger and full court bench, if not, then in order to undo it whether you will have to impose martial law or emergency. There is no option other than this to clear this mess. You will have to make a big decision than the Constitution. So Pandora’s box of crisis is open.”

Kaira agreed with what the senior anchorperson said, adding that it was the judges who have objected to the top court decision.

“I still believe the CJP and other judges should shun their ego,” he said.