This long list of grievances places the government on the wrong side of the law. Apart from deepening mistrust with the opposition, it has resulted in furthering political instability. The way forward is to start dealing with the opposition as per the law, and provide it with its due political space. It's time for the government to realise that its brinkmanship of cornering the opposition has bred discontent. The path ahead is to reconcile by releasing political prisoners, including Khan, and to collectively work inside the parliament for some instant fence-mending on issues of national interest.