First in-camera session of govt-PTI talks kicks off in Parliament
The first in-camera session of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and coalition government negotiating committee has been kicked off under the chair of the National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq at the speaker’s chamber.
Asad Qaiser, Hamid Raza, Allama Nasir Abbas are attending the meeting while Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Rana Sanaullah, Irfan Siddiqui are part of the government negotiating committee.
Federal minister Abdul Aleem Khan, MQM’s Farooq Sattar, PPP’s Pervez Ashraf, and Naveed Qamar are also present.
The federal government negotiating committee member Senator Irfan Siddiqui expressed optimism as he arrived at the Parliament House for talks.
“We are entering these negotiations with open hearts and minds, carrying positive expectations,” Siddiqui said. He emphasized that they are moving forward with good intentions, setting aside past differences, and hope for positive outcomes.
He added that both parties will present their positions during today’s discussions, with the well-being of Pakistan’s citizens and the country’s development at the forefront of their minds.
MQM’s reshuffle in committee
Farooq Sattar has been named as Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui’s replacement in the negotiation committee.
Dr. Farooq Sattar will sit on the negotiation committee today.
Talking to media persons, Farooq Sattar emphasized the need for individuals who closely monitor politics, as the people of Pakistan are currently affected by the ongoing political crisis.
Dr. Sattar stressed the importance of not letting this opportunity with the negotiation committee go to waste. He stated, “Politics is about finding solutions in difficult times,” and expressed confidence that today’s discussions will present demands, leading to potential solutions.
He highlighted that both face-saving and solutions are required in the current situation. Dr. Sattar remains hopeful that the political parties will work towards a resolution.
On Sunday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced the formation of a negotiation committee comprising members of the ruling coalition to address proposals regarding the National Assembly.
The decision comes after PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar requested the Speaker of the National Assembly to play a mediatory role in initiating dialogue.
The committee includes key figures from the government and coalition parties Senator Ishaq Dar, Rana Sanaullah, Senator Irfan Siddiqui, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Naveed Qamar, Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Abdul Aleem Khan, Chaudhry Salik Hussain and Sardar Khalid Magsi.
