A VETERAN politician who was “booted” out of electoral politics more than five years ago, but who was expected to win the 2024 election after coming back from the wilderness has now resolved to hold negotiations with other major players to form a coalition government despite failing to emerge as chief of the largest party in the latest electoral exercise.

IN a clear indication that the real powers behind politics in Pakistan are in no mood to grant a respite to the leaders of Imran Khan’s party just prior to the general election, police have been raiding their houses as well as offices in Punjab.

The abhorrent attacks of May 9 have proved to be singularly disastrous not only because they have literally broken up the PTI but also because they have destroyed all hopes of us Pakistanis having a polity devoid of military intervention in the foreseeable future.