ISLAMABAD:
After months of political stalemate, the federal government and the opposition alliance on Friday established their first formal contact in a bid to initiate the negotiation process, signalling a tentative shift from confrontation toward engagement.
Federal ministers and Opposition Leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai met Prime Minister’s Adviser Rana Sanaullah and Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry at Parliament House.
Senior PML-N leaders urged the opposition to move forward with political understanding and dialogue.
According to sources, the prime minister himself will respond to the opposition’s agenda points and conditions. Sources further said that Achakzai will present his concerns and reservations directly to the prime minister. He has also expressed his desire to meet the founder of PTI.
Opposition alliance Tehreek-e-Tahafuz-e-Aain Pakistan spokesperson Akhunzada Hussain Yousafzai confirmed the development to The Express Tribune, stating that 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, with further developments expected on Monday.
From the government’s side, a positive tone was observed. Akhunzada Hussain added that the prime minister and the opposition leader may also meet on Monday.
Prime Minister’s Adviser on Public and Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah has repeatedly renewed the government’s call for dialogue with the opposition.
The opposition’s latest response followed his appeal on Monday during a Senate session, where he invited the opposition to hold talks and “strengthen and take forward” the Charter of Democracy.
Sanaullah said the government was willing to engage in dialogue that would strengthen democracy rather than pursue confrontation and deadlock.
