Amid mounting political tensions and PTI’s threat of launching a civil disobedience movement, efforts to foster an “atmosphere of reconciliation” have gained momentum, as both the government and the former ruling party agreed to utilize parliamentary channels for dialogue, sources revealed to Geo News.
The breakthrough reportedly occurred during a meeting at the Speaker’s House in Islamabad, where National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq hosted top PTI leaders, including Asad Qaiser, Omar Ayub, and Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) Chairman Sahibzada Hamid Raza. This pivotal meeting followed a telephonic discussion between Qaiser and Sadiq, paving the way for a negotiation framework without preconditions.
Government sources confirmed that PTI extended the dialogue offer, retracting its earlier preconditions, to facilitate reconciliation. “The government has consistently advocated for dialogue as the cornerstone of political resolution,” a government insider stated, emphasizing that engagement through talks is the only viable path forward.
PTI, meanwhile, has established a five-member negotiation committee comprising Omar Ayub Khan, Ali Amin Gandapur, Sahibzada Hamid Raza, Salman Akram Raja, and Asad Qaiser. The party’s primary demands include the release of political prisoners and the formation of a judicial commission to investigate the May 9, 2023 incidents and the crackdown on PTI protesters on November 26.
The party founder, currently incarcerated, had earlier warned of initiating a civil disobedience movement starting December 14 if these demands were not met. However, this ultimatum has since been deferred.
Following the meeting, SIC Chairman Sahibzada Hamid Raza commented that the five-member committee had been entrusted with handling the dialogue process. Responding to inquiries about who initiated the talks, he deferred the question to Omar Ayub. Meanwhile, PTI Secretary Information Sheikh Waqas Akram clarified that informal discussions should not be misconstrued as formal negotiations.
Sources indicated that the ruling alliance has yet to form its committee to engage with PTI, as no formal negotiation request has been made. Key coalition partners, including the PPP, reportedly remain uninformed about these developments. According to government insiders, any decision on negotiations would require approval from President Asif Ali Zardari and PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif.
Reacting to the developments, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar highlighted the existence of a previously formed negotiation committee under the NA Speaker, suggesting that this committee could be reactivated for discussions with PTI. However, PPP sources stressed that no negotiations could succeed without their involvement.
Separately, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan refuted claims of formally approaching the government for talks. Speaking in the National Assembly earlier, he called for justice for PTI supporters and warned against pushing the party to return to the streets.
“Our peaceful protests were met with violence—something unimaginable in any civilized society,” Barrister Gohar stated, lamenting the state’s heavy-handed response. He emphasized the need for accountability and reform to prevent further injustices, asserting that oppression, no matter how severe, cannot endure indefinitely.
This unfolding scenario marks a critical juncture in Pakistan’s political landscape, with dialogue emerging as the key to easing tensions and fostering stability.
