Many experts and political observers have given the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM)—the opposition alliance—up for dead. But parties within the former coalition might not have lost all hope yet, as indicated by PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif’s dinner in Islamabad on Monday. This event saw all the original alliance members in attendance once more, with PPP also participating.

Both PML-N and PPP have had difficulty seeing eye to eye on a number of issues. The seat for the opposition leader in Senate was the first indication of a serious rift developing, followed by the hotly contested by-elections in Karachi and the widespread allegations of rigging as a result. However, the opposition can only mount pressure on the government if both PPP and PML-N can manage to pool their efforts.

It is too early to draw any conclusions from one meeting over dinner, but members of the alliance must try and change tack. Daggers must now be sheathed against one another, and attentions turned to the government instead.

There is an important role opposition parties can play in making sure that the business of governance is handled capably by the sitting government. Beyond protests and sending the government packing, the opposition can unite in parliament and make the business of lawmaking a little more transparent as a result. But for this as well, there must be a modicum of cooperation amongst the major parties on the opposition benches to push any issue across.

With all that has happened in recent months, this overture by the PML-N might as well be laying the groundwork for a new alliance altogether because of how far apart both sides are at the moment. If there is to be any joy for the opposition, it must now chart a clear path forward with identified roles, to ensure there is no encroaching territory once more.