The Pakistan government and the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party held their first meeting on Monday, agreeing to continue discussions on contentious issues, including the release of imprisoned former prime minister Imran Khan, news agency PTI reported.
The meeting presided over by Pakistan’s National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, aim to defuse the prevailing political tensions. Sadiq had announced last week his intention to facilitate dialogue between the two sides.
Government representatives included Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, the Prime Minister’s political aide Rana Sanaullah, Senator Irfan Siddiqui, former premier Raja Parvez Ashraf, ex-minister Naveed Qamar, lawmaker Farooq Sattar, and Privatisation Minister Aleem Khan. Representing PTI were former speaker Asad Qaiser, Sahibzada Hamid Raza, and Senator Raja Nasir Abbas.
Sadiq expressed gratitude to the government’s leadership and senior opposition figures for engaging in the talks. He announced that the next session would take place on January 2, during which the PTI delegation would present a charter of demands.
“We discussed things about past and present and I hope that if we work together for the country’s betterment, it will strengthen the political stability, strengthen democracy and help in dealing with challenges faced by Pakistan,” Sadiq stated following the meeting.
Senator Irfan Siddiqui read out a communiqué regarding the talks. Both sides described the meeting as a positive development and stressed the importance of maintaining ongoing negotiations, the handout said.
The communiqué highlighted goodwill on both sides, emphasising that Parliament is the appropriate forum for resolving issues. PTI’s Asad Qaiser informed attendees that several committee members were unable to join due to court proceedings.
Both parties reaffirmed their unity in combating terrorism and paid tribute to the martyrs for their sacrifices. A declaration of support for standing alongside the security forces in the fight against terrorism was also issued.
(With Inputs from PTI)
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