Government, PPP step up contacts with opposition parties

The federal government and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) have separately intensified contacts with opposition

The federal government and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) have separately intensified contacts with opposition parties amid political developments surrounding PTI founder Imran Khan.

National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq has invited Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders to his chamber for a meeting. The talks are expected to focus on the implementation of the court’s decision regarding Imran Khan’s possible transfer to a hospital.

Before meeting the speaker, PTI leader Asad Qaiser said the party would demand full and immediate implementation of the court’s decision. He said the matter of Imran Khan’s transfer to a hospital would remain a key point of discussion.

Former PTI secretary-general Asad Umar also commented on the latest political contacts. He expressed hope that the renewed political engagement could lead to a positive development. However, he stressed that the immediate issue was Imran Khan’s health and that attention should remain focused on it.

Meanwhile, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has also stepped up contacts with opposition leaders. A day earlier, he met a delegation comprising opposition alliance chief Mahmood Khan Achakzai, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate Raja Nasir Abbas and other opposition figures.

According to PTI Secretary-General Salman Akram Raja, the PPP welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision and requested the opposition to resume political contacts. He said the development could help reopen channels of communication between the political sides.

According to a statement issued by the opposition alliance, Bilawal Bhutto also requested the opposition parties to return to parliamentary committees. The alliance leaders told him that a decision on the matter would be taken after consultation with Imran Khan.

PPP leader Raja Pervaiz Ashraf said contacts between parliamentary parties were a normal part of the political process. He said political parties could continue discussions on important national and parliamentary issues.

The latest contacts indicate increased political engagement between the government, PPP and opposition parties. However, the issue of Imran Khan’s health and the implementation of the court’s decision remains a major point of discussion.