No Breakthrough in Govt-Opposition Talks, Dialogue to Resume Saturday

The first round of talks –between the government and opposition concluded without a breakthrough on Friday, with both sides agreeing to resume negotiations on Saturday in an effort to resolve political differences through dialogue.

The talks followed the formation of a joint committee by the federal government and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) to engage with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) over the prevailing political situation.

The decision to form the committee was taken on Thursday during a meeting between President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the Presidency, according to a statement issued by the President’s Office. A joint government-PPP delegation was subsequently tasked with holding talks with the PTI leadership.

The friday meeting was held in National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq’s chamber, where he received the opposition delegation.

The opposition delegation included Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, Asad Qaiser, Amir Dogar and Salman Akram Raja.

The government delegation included Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Sherry Rehman, Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry and Talal Chaudhry. Ejaz Jakhrani, Naveed Qamar, Rana Sanaullah and Amir Muqam were also part of the government team.

Speaking Media earlier, Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said discussions had only just begun and both sides were trying to make progress.

Opposition Insists on Meeting Imran Khan

The opposition made a meeting with PTI founder Imran Khan a central issue during the talks, saying consultation with him was necessary for further progress.

Salman Akram Raja said the opposition wanted justice and a meeting with Imran Khan for consultation, adding that progress would depend on such a meeting. He also demanded the PTI founder’s release.

Asad Qaiser said the opposition wanted to meet Imran Khan to consult him and determine its agenda before moving forward.

He said issues concerning Imran Khan’s sisters would also be discussed, but a meeting with the PTI founder remained the opposition’s foremost priority.

Amir Dogar said he had supported dialogue from the beginning and political issues should not be turned into confrontation.

“We do not want confrontation or a fight with any institution,” he said.

Allama Raja Nasir Abbas said the issue of Mahmood Khan Achakzai meeting Imran Khan would also be raised, maintaining that the political issues could not be resolved without consultation with the PTI founder.

Government Rejects Threats of March on Islamabad

According to sources, the government team told the opposition during the negotiations that any attempt to march on Islamabad would not be permitted.

The government side maintained that threatening a long march or talking about an attack on Adiala could not be accepted, adding that flexibility was required from the opposition as well as the government.

Sources said the talks became heated several times between members of the PTI and the government team, while members of the Pakistan Peoples Party largely remained quiet.

Tensions also rose between Rana Sanaullah and Senate Opposition Leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas during an exchange over judicial matters.

Raja Nasir Abbas expressed disappointment over what he described as the non-implementation of court decisions and criticised restrictions on meetings with Imran Khan and other government measures.

Rana Sanaullah responded that the courts were performing their role and said court decisions relating to long marches would also be implemented.

Speaker Ayaz Sadiq urged both sides to move forward through mutual understanding and exercise restraint.

The first day of negotiations ultimately ended without an agreement, with the government and opposition delegations agreeing to meet again on Saturday afternoon for a second round of talks.