ISLAMABAD:
After months of political deadlock, the federal government and the opposition alliance established their first formal contact on Friday in an attempt to start the negotiation process, signaling a tentative shift from confrontation to engagement.
Federal Ministers and Leader of Opposition Mahmood Khan Achakzai met Prime Minister’s Adviser Rana Sanaullah and Parliamentary Affairs Minister 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 react to the opposition’s agenda items 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 Pakinomist and stated 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.
A positive tone was observed from the government’s side. Akhunzada Hussain added that the prime minister and the opposition leader may also meet on Monday.
The 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 carry forward” the democracy charter.
Sanaullah said the government was willing to engage in a dialogue that would strengthen democracy instead of pursuing confrontation and stalemate.
