Senator Irfan Siddiqui says govt expects good outcomes of the meeting.
Govt & PTI begin crucial talks to ease political tensions. After months of political deadlock, the government and the opposition party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) have finally initiated negotiations in Islamabad, with both sides expressing optimism for a positive outcome.
The talks, held at the Parliament House on Monday, are aimed at reducing political tensions and bringing stability to the country. National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq chaired the meeting, which included Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, PM’s Adviser Rana Sanaullah, PPP leaders Raja Pervaiz Ashraf and Naveed Qamar, and MQM-P leader Farooq Sattar, representing the government side. PTI was represented by former National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser, Sunni Ittehad Council Chairman Sahibzada Hamid Raza, and Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, among others.
The negotiations come after an extended deadlock, fueled by initial reluctance from both sides to engage. However, the formation of a high-level government committee led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to hold talks with PTI has paved the way for this dialogue. The committee, which includes senior coalition members, is tasked with addressing PTI’s concerns.
The talks opened with a recitation of the Holy Quran, followed by prayers for the success of the dialogue and the betterment of the country. Speaker Sadiq emphasized the importance of moving forward with an open heart, noting that the success of the talks would depend on the cooperation of both government and opposition committees.
Key issues discussed include the release of political prisoners and the establishment of a judicial inquiry into incidents such as the May 9 and November 26 events. PTI leaders have repeatedly called for these issues to be addressed before moving forward with the negotiations.
Asad Qaiser, speaking to Geo News ahead of the meeting, highlighted that while some of their key negotiators were unable to attend, the session would set the framework for future discussions. He stressed the need for political stability, citing the economic challenges and law and order issues facing the country.
Senator Irfan Siddiqui expressed hope that the talks would yield positive results, while MQM-P Convenor Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui underscored the importance of dialogue in a democracy. He emphasized that the outcome of the talks would shape the future course of action for all parties involved.
PTI’s senior leaders also highlighted the role of the establishment in supporting the negotiation process. Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, a key ally of PTI, urged the government to prioritize national interests over personal gains and warned that this could be the last opportunity to resolve the political crisis.
The negotiations come amid ongoing PTI protests, which have significantly disrupted the capital over the past year. With PTI’s demand for the release of under-trial political prisoners and the formation of a judicial commission still pending, the party has warned of resuming its protest movement if their demands are not met.
As part of efforts to unite opposition parties, PTI founder Imran Khan has tasked KP CM’s Adviser on Information, Barrister Muhammad Saif, with reaching out to opposition leaders to build a unified front against the government’s actions.
As the dialogue unfolds, the nation watches closely, hopeful that these talks will lead to a resolution of the political standoff and contribute to much-needed stability in the country.
