A dialogue is vital to set policy directions.

In complex, challenging conditions, political confrontations and even armed conflicts tend to end in a stalemate. Then, finally, the most contentious issues are settled on the negotiating table.

It would be pertinent to note that the move for a dialogue between the PDM government and the PTI was initiated when the police and the PTI workers were engaged in one of their worst street confrontations. And the country, trapped in a political stalemate and economic stagnation, was sinking into a deepening quagmire.

Yet the government's dialogue initiative seems to have been somewhat eclipsed by political confusion, particularly by the apparent official anti-democratic move to arrest ex-prime minister Imran Khan or ban PTI. The political confrontation between the two main political rivals and the all-pervasive polarisation in the country seems to already push the 'neutrals' into political territory.

In two high-level meetings chaired by Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, one of which was attended by two top military officials, it was agreed that elections to all assemblies should be held simultaneously.

The government's initiative seems to have been somewhat eclipsed by political confusion, particularly by the apparent official anti-democratic move to arrest Imran Khan

In a citizen-based democracy, political parties compete to promote the welfare of their voters, which helps them build a strong political base. Poor government performance, however, results in economic and political instability, as witnessed now.

The quagmire in which the country has landed underlines the need for all movers and shakers of the economy to evolve a consensus, to begin with, on a common minimum national agenda. In economics, the top priority must be developing a strategy and a roadmap to achieve sustainable, inclusive and indigenous development with macroeconomic stability. That can happen only through democratic governance.

The deepening political polarisation, stalemate and stagnation and the corresponding worsening economic crises are two faces of the coin. To put the political economy on an even keel, political and economic solutions must be synchronised and implemented simultaneously and effectively.

To strengthen democratic norms in politics, the first priority in any dialogue should be accorded to settling issues relating to the election process and fixing the national election date.

Confronted by the complex ground realities, the PDM and PTI leadership seem to be...