Pakistani politics is stuck in a loop. Talks are offered, talks are rejected, and nothing changes. Any attempt for dialogue gives the appearance of a ritual. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) rejection of the government’s offer for talks shows how entrenched the divisions have become.

But let’s be honest, neither side expected a breakthrough. Although the government appeared open to dialogue, the PTI wanted to appear defiant. The result? Another deadlock. The refusal, however, did not come as a surprise. The PTI has argued from the start that any dialogue under the current circumstances is useless. From their perspective, the government is not serious about negotiations. It wants to show strength, to assure its electoral base that it will not compromise on what it sees as a matter of principle.

On the other hand, the ruling coalition insists that the opposition is rejecting a democratic process. It argues that dialogue is the only way forward in any functional system. Political conflicts are not resolved through stubbornness. Shutting the door on negotiations will result in street politics, institutional paralysis, and, eventually, violent confrontation.

Pakistan now stands at a dangerous impasse. The opposition does not want to engage, the government insists it has done its part, and the public finds itself caught in the middle. This political paralysis might do more than just stall governance. The trajectory is not sustainable for a country grappling with multiple challenges, including economic uncertainty, and might weaken investor confidence and hamper policymaking.

The tragedy is that Pakistan has seen this movie before. The government needs stability to function, while the opposition wants an ideal political environment to operate.

Chaos will ensue if every decision is made with an eye on public perception rather than putting national interest first. Both sides know that endless confrontation will benefit no one. At some point, they would have to decide whether they want to keep playing a zero-sum game or actually work toward political stability.

The tragedy is that Pakistan has seen this movie before. The government needs stability to function, while the opposition wants an ideal political environment to operate. Neither side will get what they want if the crisis continues. Pakistan cannot afford leaders playing chess while the board is on fire. They must demonstrate political maturity and focus on long-term solutions rather than short-term battles. The country needs solutions, not just slogans.