Political heat in Islamabad as winter sets in.

Byline: SHAFQAT ALI

ISLAMABAD -- Islamabad is set to 'boil' politically while the temperature falls down at the onset of winter.

The government is not taking the Azadi (liberation) March casually but is reluctant to hold a top-level dialogue with the opposition to find a middle way out.

The marchers are meanwhile moving non-stop and eyeing to reach Islamabad in time - on October 31 - to 'expose' the government and its 'failed' policies.

The lack of initiative for talks by both the sides is pushing Islamabad into uncertainty less than two years after the general elections.

Prime Minister Imran Khan is not ready to give an inch to the protesters and believes the opposition parties want to create hindrance in the implementation of government's policies.

Last day, PM Khan had said the march organisers were scared of the successes of the government on the economic front. Terming the protest March a blackmailing tactic, the Prime Minister categorically stated that no amnesty will be given to the corrupt elements, no matter they hold the march or resort to any other 'blackmailing.'

The Prime Minister, however, admitted the first year was difficult for the PTI-led government but 'now the country is rapidly moving forward as a result of our policies.'

The premier referred the international institutions such as the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank which, he said, were acknowledging the reforms agenda of the government.

The Azadi March led by the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (Fazl) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has the support of the Pakistan People's Party and the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) which is good enough to pressurise the government.

A normal Pakistani government would have tried to engage the opposition or even attempted to divide them but PM Imran Khan is certain the opposition parties...