Politicians and civil society call for restoration of political activities and release of political workers, including women
The National Dialogue Committee (NDC) is organizing a conference in Islamabad to discuss the political situation in the country.
The National Dialogue Committee (NDC) has called for immediate and comprehensive negotiations between the government and the opposition to address Pakistan’s deteriorating political and economic situation.
According to the statement issued after the committee’s conference held in Islamabad, the forum recommended that President Asif Ali Zardari, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Nawaz Sharif and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif lead the negotiations on behalf of the government, while the opposition forms its own committee to initiate a structured dialogue process.
The declaration states that political activities must be fully restored within the constitutional and legal framework and that all restrictions on political engagement must be lifted. He stressed that democracy cannot function without a strong opposition and urged the immediate appointment of opposition leaders to the Senate and National Assembly.
The commission further stressed that the government and opposition must refrain from using the armed forces for political purposes or engaging in negative propaganda against state institutions.
The participants strongly demanded the immediate release of all detained women political workers, including Bushra Bibi and Dr. Yasmin Rashid, and called for providing them with proper medical care. He also called for the withdrawal of cases against political workers and the release of all political prisoners.
They further demanded an end to media censorship and the removal of restrictions on television presenters, reaffirming that press freedom is essential to a healthy democracy. The forum expressed deep concern over the deteriorating political, economic and security conditions in the country and highlighted the urgent need for political unity and national consensus.
He paid tribute to the sacrifices of the Armed Forces, Police, Rangers and other law enforcement agencies in the fight against terrorism and offered prayers for the martyrs. The declaration reaffirms that the entire nation is united for the sovereignty, defense, security and dignity of its institutions.
The NDC also proposed a detailed road map to restore political stability. It calls for ending unconstitutional practices, ensuring full political freedom, holding transparent elections, respecting public mandate, strengthening institutions, ending corruption and ensuring accountability.
He urged the government and opposition to resolve their differences through dialogue rather than confrontation and warned that political polarization was causing serious damage to national unity and governance.
The conference concluded that lasting political stability can only be achieved through continuous dialogue and consensus building. He decided that the National Dialogue Committee would continue to play its role in facilitating negotiations at the national level in the supreme interest of the country and its people.
Convened by former leaders of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), it brought together political figures, legal experts, journalists and representatives of civil society. However, no representatives from PTI and Tehreek-e-Tahaffuz-e-Ain Pakistan attended the rally, drawing criticism from participants who expressed disappointment and stressed that both sides should have joined the dialogue.
