PM Shehbaz says govt ready for 'meaningful' talks with opposition

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Thursday that the government was ready for “meaningful” parleys with the opposition and again invited them for talks.

The premier made these remarks during a televised federal cabinet meeting in Islamabad, where he said the government had always expressed its willingness for talks with the opposition.

“I once again invite the opposition for talks from this forum […] to support Pakistan’s economic progress and to strengthen democracy.

“But it takes two to tango. Now it’s on them how soon they agree for constructive dialogue,” he added.

The government and the opposition have been at odds since the 2024 elections, after which the PTI had demanded a judicial commission to probe May 9, 2023, and November 26, 2024 protests.

The 2023 protests were held across the country after PTI founder and former prime minister Imran Khan was arrested and the 2024 demonstration in Islamabad was held to demand his release. Both protests had turned violent.

The scope of sticking points between the two sides has widened in the following period, including PTI founder Imran Khan’s health.

However, the government, including the prime minister, has repeatedly urged the PTI-led opposition to engage in dialogue.

PM Shehbaz’s invite for the talks today is the latest one, and it came merely days after Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry told the opposition during a Senate session that the government’s offer for dialogue remained on the table.

The minister said, “The solution lies in seriousness,” and called on the opposition to agree on a time and venue for negotiations.

The same day, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar and Chaudhry met the opposition leader in the National Assembly, Mahmood Khan Achakzai, and the leader of the opposition in the Senate, Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, in the NA opposition leader’s chamber.

The two sides discussed the appointment of the chief election commissioner, the country’s political situation and mutual political matters, according to a statement issued by the spokesperson of the opposition alliance Tehreek Tahafuz Ayeen-i-Pakistan (TTAP).

The two sides agreed to continue the meetings, the spokesperson said.

Later, Chaudhry said while speaking on Geo News show ‘Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath’ that Achakzai had written a letter to the prime minister seeking a “constitutional consultative meeting”. The parliamentary affairs minister expected that the prime minister would respond in the “next two days”.

These developments take place as the PPP — an ally of the PML-N in the Centre — has established formal contact with the PTI amid a rift in the ruling coalition over the recently held Azad Jammu and Kashmir elections.

More to follow