PML-N leader Rana Sanaullah. PHOTO: Express
ISLAMABAD:
The Senate was informed on Monday that the government had repeatedly invited the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to engage in dialogue, but the opposition remained reluctant to sit at the negotiating table.
Speaking in the Senate, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political and Public Affairs, Rana Sanaullah, stressed that political progress and national stability could be achieved through consultation rather than confrontation.
He urged opposition parties to participate in the “Economy Charter” and the “Democracy Charter” for the country’s development, stressing that democratic systems flourish through dialogue rather than political deadlock.
During the Senate session, chaired by Speaker Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani, Sanaullah also raised concerns over the health of PTI founder Imran Khan. He said a medical report on Khan’s condition was submitted to the court in accordance with court orders.
He added that anyone dissatisfied with the medical assessment could approach the Supreme Court. He said all legal requirements regarding the treatment of the incarcerated PTI leader had been fulfilled and a group of doctors had carried out a detailed examination under the supervision of the court.
The statement comes as opposition members, including PTI senators, again demanded that Khan be shifted to hospital for specialized eye treatment. Opposition leader Raja Nasir Abbas, along with Mohsin Aziz and others, have called for allowing medical care outside the prison.
Abbas claimed that false charges were registered against Khan and that his sisters were not allowed to meet him in Adiala jail. He demanded the formation of a joint parliamentary committee to facilitate Khan’s meetings.
He called for establishing the tradition of allowing peaceful protests. “Isn’t locking down Parliament and confining parliamentarians an insult to Parliament?” he asked. He said that if the government improves its relations with Imran Khan, “we will not let the government down.”
Responding to the opposition’s demands, Rana Sanaullah said the government had ensured provision of legal medical facilities. He said other objections could be addressed through the courts.
He said the opposition did not want dialogue. “What can be done if someone remains stubborn and does not want to accept any point,” he asked. “You do not negotiate with those who want to talk to you, while you have submitted demands to those who do not want to negotiate.”
Sindh Unity
The Senate also witnessed a heated debate over a Sindh Assembly resolution passed on February 21. Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Senator Sherry Rehman has strongly opposed any suggestion of dividing Sindh, saying such ideas go against constitutional and democratic principles.
She warned that any attempt to partition the province would require a two-thirds majority and ultimately weaken national unity. She described Sindh as a symbol of harmony and rejected what she called backdoor political maneuvering.
Senator Khalida Ateeb of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) opposed the interpretation of the resolution as a move to divide the province. She said her party advocated administrative reforms and the creation of administrative units.
Afghan strikes
The government also clarified its position regarding air operations in Afghanistan. Federal Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said the airstrikes only targeted terrorist hideouts and training camps in three Afghan provinces, in which more than 100 terrorists were killed.
Chaudhry pointed out that no civilian casualties were reported during the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) strikes, adding that the operations were carried out in response to terrorist attacks inside Pakistan, including incidents in Tarlai, Bannu and Bajaur.
The minister said Pakistan had held talks with the Afghan Taliban regime several times regarding removal of terrorist hideouts from the border area. He said the Afghan Taliban had requested Pakistan to provide Rs 10 billion to shift terror camps across the border, but even after this demand, no guarantee was given for complete elimination of terrorism.
He reiterated that Pakistan reserves the right of self-defense and will continue its operations until the terrorist networks are dismantled. He said Pakistan would avenge the blood of every martyr and respond not just by collecting the bodies but by taking decisive action.
Meanwhile, the Senate unanimously passed four private member’s bills, including amendments relating to administration of Zakat and Ushr, ban on corporal punishment in the Islamabad Capital Territory, National Security Council and criminal procedure laws.
Two other bills – the Al-Biruni International University Bill, 2025 and the Corporate Social Responsibility Bill, 2026 – were referred to the relevant standing committees for further deliberation.
The session was then adjourned until Tuesday.
(WITH NEWS DESK ENTRY)
