PML-Ns Ayaz Sadiq in the National Assembly. Photo: Screengrab
ISLAMABAD:
National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq once again positioned himself as a bridge between the government and the beleaguered Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Friday, reiterating that the only viable path out of the prolonged political deadlock was dialogue.
His latest attempt came during a meeting with a delegation of opposition legislators who called on him shortly after the lower house was adjourned for lack of quorum.
Welcoming the opposition members in the NA and Senate to his chamber, he reaffirmed his commitment to dialogue, stressing that all issues could be resolved through meaningful engagement.
Among those present were Senator Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, Senator Faisal Javed, former NA speaker Asad Qaiser, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, and MNAs Iqbal Afridi, Atif Khan, Sardar Latif Khosa and Jamal Ahsan Khan.
“I have always advocated for dialogue. All issues can be resolved through meaningful engagement.”
He said that the relationship of mutual respect and fraternity among parliamentarians transcends political differences. “I have been in contact with you since 2014. Politics is not permanent but the relationships among Members of Parliament should endure throughout life.”
According to the handout, Sadiq reminded the delegation that personal and institutional relationships should transcend political rivalries.
“Our bond of brotherhood and mutual respect is greater than politics. I have been in contact with you brothers since 2014. Politics does not last a lifetime – it ends eventually,” he said, adding that parliamentarians “should have a relationship that lasts throughout life”.
He stressed that he had consistently supported negotiations, asserting that “dialogue was the means to resolve issues”.
Barrister Gohar used the opportunity to highlight PTI’s foremost grievance about the denial of family meetings with the party’s incarcerated founder Imran Khan.
Despite their strong reservations, the visiting opposition members “appreciated” the speaker’s efforts to restart talks.
However, it is pertinent to note that the history of failed engagement looms over the renewed push. After months of political hostilities, both sides tentatively opened communication channels in late December last year.
However, discussions collapsed over irreconcilable demands: the establishment of judicial commissions into the May 9 and November 26 protests and the release of PTI prisoners.
Similar initiatives in the past have fizzled out, with major points of contention, including May 9, 2023 and November 26, 2024 investigations, and the continued incarceration of PTI leaders, still hanging in the air.
