First round of govt-PTI dialogue ends amid rare cordiality

ISLAMABAD: The first round of the much-awaited dialogue between the government and PTI kicked off on Monday on a positive note at the Parliament House, with both sides optimistic about closing the chapter of political polarization in the larger national interest.

It was decided with consensus to take the negotiation process forward. “A positive environment prevailed during the meeting, and I am thankful to the leadership of the government and opposition and their senior members who talked positively,” National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq told newsmen after the conclusion of the initial round of talks.

He said the next round of dialogue would be held on January 2 when the opposition members would come up with their charter of demands and points in writing for discussion. “As some members of the opposition could not reach; therefore, it was proposed that the next round will take place on January 2 when their charter of demands would be taken up,” he said.

The speaker said the meeting talked about future and the things happening in the past and present. “We are trying to end political polarization inside and outside the parliament for Pakistan’s betterment,” he said.

He was of the view that politicians will have to sit together for the country’s better future and make a resolve in this connection. He requested the media to refrain from speculations so that the process could reach its conclusion.

Ayaz said, “A brief statement has been drafted for the media. It will be in the better interest of the dialogue process if the media makes less speculations.” A statement issued by the National Assembly Secretariat said the in-camera meeting, chaired by Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Senator Ishaq Dar, Adviser to the Prime Minister Rana Sanaullah, Senator Irfan Siddiqui, federal minister Abdul Aleem Khan, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf and Syed Naveed Qamar from the PPP and Dr. Farooq Sattar of MQM from the government side.

The opposition team comprised ex-speaker Asad Qaiser, Raja Nasir Abbas and Sahibzada Hamid Raza. Asad apprised the government team that the other members could not turn up, as they were either out of the country or had to attend cases against them,” said the statement.

Sources said opposition leader Omar Ayub, who was also a member of the PTI negotiating team, had to appear in court in Peshawar on Monday. The statement said the first formal sitting of the dialogue process was held at the Parliament House on Monday.

Both sides welcomed the start of the dialogue process, terming it a positive progress. They were of the view that parliament was a better forum to resolve issues and it was decided to continue the process.

The opposition members presented a sketch of their demands and conditions so that the dialogue could be taken forward in light of their charter of demands. The participants also offered Fateha for the martyrs, who sacrificed their lives in the war against terrorism, and expressed their resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with the nation to eliminate terrorism.

Speaker Ayaz Sadiq thanked both the teams and appreciated their efforts for the start of the dialogue process. Addressing the participants prior to the start of the meeting, he termed the start of the process a good omen for the country’s future.

“The government and the opposition while sitting together will strengthen democracy,” he said. Dialogue is the only solution to political issues, he said, adding, “We need to promote political harmony in view of the country’s present situation.”

PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan vehemently denied that some of his party members, including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister, were opposed to the dialogue.“There is absolutely no truth in such reports. Given the political scene, there is a need to be more careful in filing reports,” he said while talking to The News here after the conclusion of first meeting between the two sides.

He explained why some of the seven-member committee of PTI were unable to be part of the proceedings of the two committees.He noted that on having been contacted by him on telephone, Senator Hamid Khan said that he was in Bangladesh in connection with some function; Salman Akram Raja was in Lahore and he tried but could not make it to the meeting.

Likewise, he said that Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur was to chair a cabinet meeting and was engaged in activities regarding Kurram and had to meet some elders also.He clarified the party founder himself had formed the negotiation committee.

Regarding Omar Ayub’s absence from the meeting, he pointed out that the leader of opposition was busy in a case, seeking bail from the court. Earlier, speaking to the media after the meeting, Asad Qaiser said that in the meeting, they put forward their position vigorously.

“We demanded the release of all prisoners including Imran Khan. We also put forward a demand regarding the formation of a judicial commission, we will present a proper charter of demand on January 2,” he said.

The former speaker said Omar Ayub was busy with his cases before Peshawar High Court, CM Ali Amin Gandapur had a cabinet meeting as well as a session with Kurram elders and Salman Akram Raja was also not available and Hamid Khan was in Dhaka.

Qaiser said the PTI requested the government to facilitate their meetings with the party founder Imran Khan, a demand that was accepted. “We also discussed the plight of workers imprisoned across the country,” he noted.

Qaiser concluded by saying that today’s discussions were preliminary, and formal negotiations will begin on January 2.SIC chief Sahibzada Raza said that the opposition was not making any unconstitutional demands.

“We are not seeking relief but rather a fact-finding process,” he emphasised, adding that they specifically seek inquiries into the events of May 9 and November 26.Online adds: Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah Monday emphasised that a parliamentary democratic system could not progress without political dialogue.

Speaking to the media after the first round of negotiations, Sana said both sides engaged with open hearts presenting their respective stances. He said political dialogue was the only way to find a middle ground.

He further stressed the importance of listening to each other’s perspectives to reach a solution noting that expecting one side to agree entirely with the other was unrealistic. “If the PTI labeled us thieves, we also had much to say about them,” he remarked.

PMLN Senator Irfan Siddiqui Monday said there was a strong wish to make the dialogue process result-oriented. Speaking on Geo News programme “Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath”, he said “PTI team expressed a desire to hold a meeting with its founder which we have accepted. We also want a contact between the PTI team and Imran.”

“We have asked the PTI to bring their charter of demands in writing for progress in the next dialogue process,” he said while talking to a private television channel. “The govt committee didn’t raise any issue but the PTI members demanded Imran’s release and constitution of a commission to investigate the November 6 incident,” he added.

Federal Minister for Industries and Production Rana Tanveer Hussain Monday said the govt-opposition dialogue will help strengthen the country’s political and democratic system. “It is a good step of PTI to talk with the government’s committee for resolving the political issues,” he told a private television channel.

Political stability is vital for the country’s economic progress, he said. Replying to a question about Imran’s release, he said unconstitutional demands [of the PTI] could not be fulfilled. MQM-P leader Farooq Sattar said that negotiations are an important part of democracy as dialogues can resolve problems.