The National Dialogue Committee (NDC) is calling a conference in Islamabad to discuss the political situation in the country. Photo: X
ISLAMABAD:
A group of former Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders, along with politicians from other parties, on Wednesday proposed a series of confidence-building measures, including the formation of strong negotiating teams comprising government and opposition representatives, to help lower the country’s political temperature.
The proposals were outlined in a joint statement issued by the National Dialogue Committee (NDC), an initiative launched by former PTI leaders Fawad Chaudhry, Imran Ismail and Mahmood Moulvi. The NDC convened a national conference to initiate a dialogue process aimed at bringing the government and the opposition to the negotiating table.
The NDC meeting was attended by senior politician and former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, expelled PTI leader Sher Afzal Marwat; Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) representative Liaqat Baloch and former Karachi mayor Wasim Akhtar, representing the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM).
However, despite the invitation, the three major political parties – Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Pakistan People Party (PPP), Tehreek Tahafuz Ayin Pakistan (TTAP) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) – were conspicuous by their absence during the meeting.
Senior PTI leader Barrister Saif, who had served as advisor to former Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, attended the event. His participation raised questions as the PTI had explicitly instructed its members not to participate in the NDC.
Intellectuals, journalists, lawyers and other stakeholders associated with Pakistan’s political and democratic system were present. After the meeting, the NDC issued a joint statement with a number of proposals.
It called for the immediate appointment of opposition leaders in the Senate and National Assembly, an end to media censorship and the withdrawal of cases against political figures. It said the release of political workers would help build confidence in the negotiation process and reduce political confrontation.
The statement called on the government to form a committee comprising President Asif Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif to promote the dialogue process. Once this process begins, the NDC will consult with the opposition senior leadership in prison and then announce the members of the opposition committee.
The statement proposed that the government and the opposition form separate committees of their representatives to conduct negotiations. It also called for the lifting of restrictions on political activities, ensuring the appointment of opposition leaders in parliament and ensuring political freedoms.
The NDC also demanded the release of female political workers, including Bushra Bibi and Yasmin Rashid, and other detained activists. It called for an end to media censorship and urged both sides to stop using state institutions for political ends.
The meeting expressed concern over the ongoing political unrest and the economic difficulties facing the state and its people. The statement also called on the government and the opposition to avoid involving the armed forces in politics or spreading negative propaganda against state institutions.
The meeting paid tribute to the sacrifices of the Pakistan Armed Forces, Police, Rangers and other security personnel in the fight against terrorism. Prayers were offered for the martyrs and solidarity was expressed with their families. The participants reaffirmed the new national unity in safeguarding Pakistan’s sovereignty, security and dignity of its institutions.
The participants agreed to continue the national dialogue and stressed that the NDC would continue its efforts in the public and national interest.
The NDC was recently formed by a group of PTI leaders, including Fawad Chaudhry, former Sindh Governor Imran Ismail and Mahmood Maulvi, all of whom held key positions under the PTI government.
The committee has positioned itself as a bridge-building forum to pull the country out of prolonged political paralysis. However, the initiative has met with opposition in the PTI.
Hardline party members have publicly distanced themselves from the NDC, with the party’s central information secretary previously removing PTI from the committee’s efforts. Despite this opposition, the NDC members have continued to press ahead with their agenda.
