Political talks between government and opposition take place at Speaker’s house

Islamabad: The first round of negotiations between the government and opposition has concluded. The government committee demanded a charter of demands, after which the next meeting of the negotiation committee has been postponed until Janu 2.

The first in-camera meeting of the government and opposition committees, chaired by National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, took place in Committee Room No. 5 of the Parliament House. The meeting was attended by 7 members from the government and 3 members from PTI.

In the first in-camera session of the negotiation committee, the government is represented by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Advisor to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah, and Senator Irfan Siddiqui. On behalf of the opposition, former Speaker Asad Qaiser, Sahibzada Hamid Raza, and Senator Allama Nasir Abbas were part of the committee.

Additionally, prominent figures such as former Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Syed Naveed Qamar, Dr. Farooq Sattar, and Aleem Khan are also present at the meeting.

Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq had welcomed the members of the government and opposition negotiation committees to the session. Addressing the gathering, he stated that the initiation of dialogue between the government and the opposition is a positive sign. “The process of dialogue is the essence of democracy,” he remarked.

The Speaker welcomed the process of forming a negotiation committee between the government and opposition, stating that the coming together of the government and opposition will strengthen democracy, as negotiations are the only solution to political issues in a democracy.

He further stated, “This country belongs to us, and we have been sent by the people to solve their problems. Parliament is the elected body of 240 million people, and the public has high expectations from it. As public representatives, it is our responsibility to find solutions to the people’s problems.”

Ayaz Sadiq added that cordial relations between the government and opposition can resolve the country’s issues smoothly. He emphasized that the nation’s economic development is linked to political stability, and the current situation of the country demands the promotion of political harmony.

Before the meeting, Senator Irfan Siddiqi of Pakistan Muslim League (N) expressed optimism for positive negotiations between the government and opposition, stating that the solution to issues lies only in negotiations.

He said that in our view, the development of Pakistan is the people, it is hoped that the opposition will also participate in the negotiations with an open heart.

Senator Irfan Siddiqui further said that there is hope for significant progress in the negotiations, it is expected that the results of the negotiations will be good for the country and the nation.

Earlier, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, on the suggestion of the Speaker of the National Assembly, formed a negotiation committee comprising members of the ruling coalition.

The committee includes Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Rana Sanaullah Khan, Senator Irfan Siddiqui, Raja Pervez Ashraf, Naveed Qamar, Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Aleem Khan, Chaudhry Salik Hussain, and Khalid Hussain Magsi from the Balochistan Awami Party.

PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar had urged the Speaker of the National Assembly to play a role in facilitating the negotiations, emphasizing the importance of talks with the PTI.

Following the Speaker’s suggestion, the Prime Minister formed the ruling coalition’s negotiation committee and expressed hope that national security and national interests would be prioritized.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said, “If there is Pakistan, there is all of us. I appreciate the efforts of the Speaker of the National Assembly.”