The way ahead.

As political reconciliation seems to be getting remote, it is literally getting jittery. The immediate casualty is the economy as it sits at the cliff. The government's stunt that it will not engage the PTI in a dialogue, despite the latter's one-conditional point of holding elections, is pushing the entire mosaic in a critical zone of confrontation. Pakistan ironically faces not only political instability but also an acute constitutional conundrum and economic nervousness. This entails some serious introspection from all stakeholders. The issue at hand, these days, as inflation rides high and the IMF has categorically conditioned its terms, is to find a way out of the messy situation and not only avoid a default but also societal degeneration.

IMF spokesperson Nathan Porter's concerns must solicit some detailing from the powers-that-be. The Fund has pointed out in unequivocal terms that 'overcoming the present economic and financial challenges would require sustained policy efforts and reforms for Pakistan to regain strong and inclusive private-led growth.' There cannot be any two opinions over it and, at least, the government...