When there are signs of a changing season, preparations begin well in advance. A ten-day Basant festival has been announced in Lahore, the vibrant springtime of kites is about to arrive, and to celebrate the freedom of Basant, important negotiations are currently underway between two major parties. One group is led by Paddi Ustad, the uncrowned king of kite flying and the commander of line-tangles (peechas), while on the other side, Ziddi Ustad (written as Zhiddi in Urdu) is an open advocate of bringing revolutionary changes to the rules of Basant. He wants restrictions on strings to be lifted, and for no objection to be raised whether someone uses chemical thread, creates chaotic uproar, plays music bands, or sets something on fire. The final decision of the negotiations between Paddi Ustad and Ziddi Ustad is to be made by Falaki Shah, who holds the ultimate authority over freedoms and restrictions in Basant.
Paddi Ustad is short in stature, and age has now made him frail. Paddi Ustad ruled the kite world for many years, but over time, his popularity among kite flyers has diminished; however, he still enjoys acceptance in the royal court (sarkar darbar). Paddi Ustad is experienced; in the art of line-tangles and cutting the rival’s kite, he had no equal. Even now he is called the king, but the populace is alienated from him. On the other hand, Ziddi Ustad is inexperienced, relatively powerful, and extremely popular, but the freedoms he demands for kites in Basant have previously led to several riots and clashes. The public is rebellious against Paddi Ustad’s compromises and, out of desperation, has lined up behind Ziddi Ustad. They view the restrictions on kites as contrary to the spirit of the game, desire the release of prisoners arrested as a result of the Basant held in May, and also wish that Paddi Ustad would make Ziddi Ustad the king of the country’s Basant.
Negotiations are progressing in very good faith; both parties desire to celebrate Basant in a fitting manner, but Paddi Ustad’s realm of authority is limited. He is a king in name only—the actual work is to be done from elsewhere—and therefore he cannot decide on his own whether to accept or reject Ziddi Ustad’s demands. Whatever is agreed upon in the negotiations, the actual decision rests with Falaki Shah. The decision regarding rain, wind, or sunshine during Basant will be his alone. If a light breeze blows, Basant can take place; otherwise, in rain and stagnant air, a kite simply cannot fly. In other words, whatever game of big and small kites (Gudda Guddi) is played on the negotiation table, the ultimate verdict will belong to Falaki Shah.
Paddi and Ziddi sitting together at the table is welcome and pleasant, but these negotiations have a limited scope. The sooner both parties understand this, the better it will be. Master Paddi must remember this lesson of history: that negotiations have often proven to be a trap. Any agreement made beyond the will of Falaki Shah will only accelerate Master Paddi’s decline. In politics, when the Geneva talks were held against the will of Falaki Shah, the Sindhi Prime Minister Junejo was sent packing. In the negotiations between the National Alliance and Bhutto, Falaki Shah and the National Alliance cooked up such a mess together that Bhutto was completely overthrown. Furthermore, after accepting the opposition’s demands at Ayub Khan’s Round Table Conference, the new Falaki Shah, Yahya Khan, sent Ayub Khan home. In the light of these experiences, Paddi Ustad should remember the proverb “Kya Paddi aur kya Paddi ka shorba” (What is a tiny bird, and what is its broth?), otherwise these negotiations could entangle him as well. On the other hand, Ziddi Ustad must also understand Paddi Ustad’s limited domain. Ziddi Ustad must realize that Basant has been under a complete ban, and the wind required to adorn the spring of kites is in no one’s power except Falaki Shah’s. Falaki Shah does not like Ziddi Ustad either, and knows full well and with certainty that any ease granted to Ziddi Ustad will turn into a proportional difficulty for the system. Ziddi Ustad may certainly practice politics in the fields as an unsheathed sword, but at the negotiation table, he should consider getting even a little as a great deal. At this moment, even a small opening of a door could prove to be a breath of fresh morning breeze for Ziddi Ustad and reinfuse life into his lifeless body.
Due to years of reporting, this pen-pusher estimates that as a result of the negotiations, Imran Khan’s visits to the hospital may begin, Bushra Bibi might be shifted to Bani Gala, and the sisters might be released; these are the limits beyond which there seems no possibility of going. There is currently no possibility of Imran Khan’s release or return to politics. Bushra Imran’s transfer to Bani Gala will actually be part of a new strategy aimed at separating the Aleema Khanum and Bushra Imran groups from each other, because shifting Bushra Imran to Bani Gala will weaken Aleema Khanum’s power, as Imran Khan listens to his spiritual guide wife more than to his sister. Both the government and the establishment are very fed up with the narrative-building of YouTubers and want PTI Overseas and PTI to form two distinct factions. The establishment and political figures have reached a juncture from where the respect and credibility of both can increase, but if the negotiations fail completely, there is also the likelihood that despair and darkness will deepen further.
Both Paddi and Ziddi must act with prudence and reconciliation for the betterment and prosperity of the country, and Falaki Shah must be taken fully into confidence. Ziddi Ustad should make a formal announcement to end the sit-in, and a principle should be jointly established that no sit-in will be held in Islamabad in the future. The slight progress possible in the Paddi-Ziddi negotiations depends solely and entirely on Falaki Shah. Both Paddi and Ziddi should understand the delicacy of the situation, consider a little as a lot, and steer the boat out of the political whirlpool. In the recent past, the fight between Paddis and Ziddis has brought matters to a point where political and democratic freedoms have become limited, space has shrunk for political workers themselves, and there are restrictions on speaking and writing. Political actors can engage in politics only if democratic freedoms are available, and if there are freedoms rather than restrictions on freedom of expression. Politics and democracy will be possible only when political workers can breathe.
There is no need to pin high hopes on the Paddi-Ziddi negotiations; no revolution is going to come, nor is the government going to change. However, if the atmosphere cools down, parliament begins to function, interaction between the government and opposition commences, and Imran Khan’s hospital check-ups along with lenient treatment for female prisoners begin, this will be a massive success of the negotiations. Otherwise, the needle will remain stuck right where it is!!!