ISLAMABAD:
After months of political impasse, the federal government and the opposition alliance made their first formal contact on Friday in a bid to initiate the negotiation process, signaling an attempt to move from confrontation to engagement.
Federal ministers and Opposition Leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai met Prime Minister’s Advisor Rana Sanaullah and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry at Parliament.
Senior PML-N leaders urged the opposition to move forward on the path of political understanding and dialogue.
According to sources, the Prime Minister himself will respond to the opposition’s agenda items and conditions. Sources further said that Achakzai would present his concerns and reservations directly to the Prime Minister. He also expressed his desire to meet the PTI founder.
Opposition alliance Tehreek-e-Tahafuz-e-Aain Pakistan spokesperson Akhunzada Hussain Yousafzai confirmed the development to The Express PK Press Club, saying the meeting focused on confidence-building measures and preliminary discussions regarding the expected meeting between the prime minister and the opposition leader, including its agenda.
So far, he said, it was only a preliminary discussion, and further developments are expected on Monday.
From the government side, a positive tone was observed. Akhunzada Hussain added that the Prime Minister and the Opposition Leader may also meet on Monday.
The Prime Minister’s advisor on public and political affairs, Rana Sanaullah, has repeatedly renewed the government’s call for dialogue with the opposition.
The opposition’s latest response follows its call Monday during a Senate session, where it called on the opposition to lead negotiations and “strengthen and advance” the Charter of Democracy.
Sanaullah said the government was ready to engage in dialogue that would strengthen democracy rather than continuing confrontation and stalemate.
