The National Dialogue Committee (NDC) is organizing a conference in Islamabad to discuss the political situation in the country. Photo:X
ISLAMABAD:
A group of former Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders, along with politicians from other parties, on Wednesday proposed a series of confidence-building measures, including the formation of high-level negotiating teams comprising government and opposition representatives, to help lower the country’s political temperature.
The proposals were outlined in a joint statement issued by the National Dialogue Committee (NDC), an initiative launched by former PTI leaders Fawad Chaudhry, Imran Ismail and Mahmood Moulvi. The NDC has convened a national conference to initiate a dialogue process aimed at bringing the government and the opposition to the negotiating table.
The NDC meeting was attended by senior politician and former Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, expelled PTI leader Sher Afzal Marwat; Liaqat Baloch, representative of Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), and Wasim Akhtar, former mayor of Karachi, representing Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM).
However, despite the invitation, the three major political parties – Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Tehreek Tahafuz Ayin Pakistan (TTAP) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) – were conspicuous by their absence at the meeting.
Senior PTI leader Barrister Saif, who had served as advisor to former Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, attended the event. His presence raised questions, as the PTI had explicitly asked its members not to attend the NDC.
Intellectuals, journalists, lawyers and other stakeholders associated with the political and democratic system of Pakistan were present. At the end of its session, the NDC issued a joint statement presenting a series of proposals.
He called for the immediate appointment of opposition leaders to the Senate and National Assembly, an end to media censorship and the withdrawal of charges against political figures. He said the release of political workers would help build confidence in the negotiation process and reduce political confrontation.
The statement urged the government to form a committee comprising President Asif Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif to take forward the dialogue process. Once this process begins, the NDC will consult with incarcerated senior opposition leaders and then announce the members of the opposition committee.
The statement proposed that the government and opposition form separate committees composed of their representatives to conduct the negotiations. He also called for lifting restrictions on political activities, ensuring the appointment of opposition leaders to Parliament and safeguarding political freedoms.
The NDC also demanded the release of female political workers, including Bushra Bibi and Yasmin Rashid, as well as other detained activists. He called for an end to media censorship and urged both sides to stop using state institutions for political purposes.
The meeting expressed concern over the ongoing political unrest and economic difficulties faced by the state and its people. The statement also calls on the government and opposition to avoid involving the armed forces in politics or spreading negative propaganda against state institutions.
The meeting paid tribute to the sacrifices made by the Armed Forces, Police, Rangers and other security personnel of Pakistan in the fight against terrorism. Prayers were offered for the martyrs and solidarity was expressed with their families. The participants reaffirmed national unity in safeguarding the sovereignty, security and dignity of its institutions.
The participants agreed to continue the national dialogue, stressing that the NDC would continue its efforts in the public and national interest.
The NDC was formed recently by a group of PTI leaders, including Fawad Chaudhry, former Sindh governor Imran Ismail and Mahmood Maulvi, all of whom held key positions under the PTI government.
The committee positioned itself as a bridge-building forum to bring the country out of prolonged political paralysis. However, the initiative faced resistance within the PTI.
Hardline party members have publicly distanced themselves from the NDC, with the party’s central information secretary previously dissociating the PTI from the committee’s efforts. Despite this opposition, NDC members continued to advance their agenda.
