ISLAMABAD:Talks between the government and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) have begun, with senior leaders from both sides participating in discussions on the country’s current political situation and other key issues.
PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate Allama Nasir Abbas, Asad Qaiser and Aamir Dogar are representing the opposition side. Pakistan Peoples Party leaders Naveed Qamar and Sherry Rehman are also part of the talks.
The government delegation includes Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Prime Minister’s Adviser Rana Sanaullah, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry, Federal Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry and Amir Muqam.
Before the talks, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry met National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq. The meeting covered the country’s political and law-and-order situation as well as matters related to the upcoming meeting between the government and opposition committees.
The government’s strategy for negotiations with PTI was also discussed during the meeting.
Talal Chaudhry said the government had never hesitated to engage in dialogue and had not allowed ego to become an obstacle. He said the PML-N and PPP had traditionally sought to address political issues through negotiations and expressed hope that the opposition would not miss the opportunity for dialogue.
Prime Minister’s Adviser Rana Sanaullah said matters concerning the courts would have to be resolved through the courts, while political issues could be discussed and addressed at the negotiating table.
He said the government would respond in accordance with political principles and the law, adding that political dialogue requires mutual engagement and tolerance.
Federal Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said the invitation for talks had been extended by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif himself to the Leader of the Opposition. He said the government’s doors for dialogue had always remained open.
He added that the government would participate in the talks with positive expectations and that several issues were likely to come under discussion. According to him, the government would present possible solutions where matters fell within its authority.
Tariq Fazal Chaudhry also urged the opposition to adopt a political approach and avoid confrontational protests in Islamabad. He further said that the provincial government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa would need to play its role in addressing the province’s security challenges.
Break for Prayer
The participants also took a break during the negotiations to offer prayers. The talks resumed after the prayer break.
Earlier, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a meeting at the President House to discuss the country’s overall political and security situation.
According to an official statement, the meeting also reviewed the security situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The president and prime minister stressed the need to further strengthen the national resolve against terrorism and improve coordination among relevant institutions to promote peace and stability in the country.
The meeting also discussed the planned meeting between a joint delegation of the federal government and the Pakistan Peoples Party and the PTI leadership to hold talks on the prevailing political situation.
The government-opposition negotiations are taking place against the backdrop of ongoing political developments in the country.