The lion’s den is separate, and the leopard’s hunting ground is separate. Their encounter or face-off is rare. The lion has grown old, and despite doing much for the jungle, he could not make the name in history that he desired because of the jungle’s internal politics. He wanted to make history by establishing peace in the forests of Hind and Sindh, but General Musharraf and General Raheel Sharif came in the way. By making an agreement with the PPP elephant, he wanted to strengthen the democratic system through the Charter of Democracy. Then General Kayani and General Pasha brought the leopard into the field to challenge the lion and elephant’s agreement and eliminate them. Although the old lion’s family still holds power, he surely feels the sting of his unfulfilled dreams.

Now he remains distant from the daily politics of the jungle and is busy handling family affairs and transferring inherited assets to the next generation. Yet, it is clearly written on his face that his dreams remain incomplete. It is said about the lion that when he gets angry with someone, he does not easily untie the knot in his heart. He is very deep; probing his heart and mind is an extremely difficult task. But since he is very experienced, he knows that the share his family has received in the hybrid system is unstable. If the votes are taken from the jungle’s people, the lion group will not be able to secure a majority. Initially, he might think that with developmental works and a successful economy, the public mood will change, and the animals of the jungle will shift their thinking. But this is not happening, as the leopard’s allies have crafted such a narrative by mixing truth and lies that there is neither sympathy nor support left for the lion’s family. Instead, they now look upon even their own supporters and leaders with suspicion.

In such a situation, what can the old lion do to make a name in history, end political hatred from the country, and lay the foundation for reconciliation? Somewhere in his mind or through some bold journalist, the problem and its solution must arise. On the other hand, he must also remember the leopard’s excesses and inflicted wounds — how the then judiciary and establishment, in collusion, first stained the lion’s robe and then tore it completely, and still were not satisfied. His supporters chased him all the way to London, camped outside his home, and kept striking arrows at his chest. Forgiving the leopard’s transgressions and simultaneously choosing the path of reconciliation is not easy.

The leopard is an old acquaintance of the lion — from cricketing days, there was contact between the lion and the leopard. The leopard was General Zia-ul-Haq’s beloved cricketer, and the lion his beloved politician. Their mutual opposition to Benazir Bhutto was a common trait. Their relations remained strong even until the granting of the plot for Shaukat Khanum Hospital. But then the right-wing establishment filled the leopard with so much pride that the lion began to appear as a mere goat to him. During General Pasha’s tenure, the leopard turned the lion into a wet morsel and openly started opposition. The leopard would insult the lion on stage, but still, the 2013 election was won by the lion, and the leopard went into exile in the jungle of Bani Gala. At that time, the lion went to the leopard. The leopard may have a hundred flaws, but if the lion, the fox, or any jungle animal stands before him, he never misbehaves. Behind their backs, he may curse everyone, but in person, even if silent, he never crosses the line of decency.

A mutual friend from Chakri arranged a pleasant meeting between the leopard and the lion, but its lasting pleasant effects never materialized. Soon after, the same blame games, verbal abuse, and protests resumed.

Suppose the lion even goes to visit the captive leopard — what would happen? There is only one throne, and two claimants to it: on one side, the lion’s brother, the little lion; on the other, the leopard himself. The elder lion cannot remove the younger lion to hand the throne to the leopard. The leopard desires to negotiate and make deals only with the main lion of the system, but for now, the main lion doesn’t seem ready for it. Suppose, hypothetically, the lion, with an angelic mindset, says: “Come, Leopard, now you manage the jungle; our lion family will go into exile” — even this offer is irrational to accept.

A third possible wish and effort could be a proposal for joint governance. But for now, neither will the leopard accept this offer, nor will the lion make it — because this condition is presently unacceptable to the main lion of the establishment. Even if the lion and the leopard reconcile and shake hands, the main lion still holds the power of veto.

The only logical path that can create an atmosphere of political peace and reconciliation in the jungle is one — but that path has yet to open. It will open only when the leopard’s party becomes exhausted after losing the political battle. Like the defeated Caliph of Baghdad before the Mongols or the defeated Mughal emperor before Nader Shah, only then will decisions be imposed. At that time, forming a national government of N-League lions, PPP elephants, and PTI leopards will be possible. This national government would conduct fair elections after two years, and on the other side, its stability will rest upon the full support of the establishment.

In return, all three political parties must unanimously accept the establishment’s main lion, and as a reward, the main lion would allow the political system to proceed towards elections through this national government. If this sole path of reconciliation does not emerge, then the lion will not go to jail, no meeting with the leopard will take place, no door to reconciliation will open, and stagnant politics will not become dynamic. Hypotheses, fictional tales, and speculative futures will continue to be narrated — but unless a national government through reconciliation is formed, the democratic future will remain locked away. And that lock will keep the gate of Adiala Jail sealed too.