Negotiations between members of the ruling coalition and the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) regarding elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are set to resume tomorrow. The dialogue was initiated at the Parliament House and representatives from both sides met in Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani’s chamber.
The talks lasted over an hour and were concluded, pending a written order from the Supreme Court regarding the elections. Yousaf Raza Gilani from the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) stated that the PTI would present its demands during the next round of talks, where the ruling coalition would be informed of the PTI’s positions.
Finance Minister Ishaq Dar emphasized resolving matters within the framework of the Constitution. Senator Ali Zafar, part of the PTI’s negotiating team, expressed the need for a solution that benefits the country and its people, pledging not to employ any delaying tactics.
It was agreed that all aspects of the issue of the election would be discussed during the negotiations, with a focus solely on elections. The PTI intends to conclude the talks before the week’s end and submit their findings to the Supreme Court by Monday. Both sides maintained a constructive approach during the talks, avoiding the exchange of allegations.
Shah Mahmood Qureshi, another member of the PTI’s negotiating committee, conveyed that the ruling coalition stressed the importance of consulting all allies. Qureshi affirmed that the PTI was open to discussing any solution proposed within the constitutional framework.
The intention behind the talks was to find a way forward rather than employ delaying tactics, and both sides recognized the potential for political problem-solving through sincere and meaningful negotiations. The talks were centered on the one-point agenda of elections.
