PM Shehbaz invites Achakzai for fresh negotiations

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has once again invited Opposition Leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai to hold talks with the government, sending him another letter seeking a meeting.

Sources said the prime minister’s latest letter contains an invitation for negotiations and also seeks a meeting with Achakzai. The letter reportedly discusses consultations regarding appointments to the Election Commission as well.

The development comes as the government continues efforts to engage the opposition on political and institutional matters. The prime minister has previously contacted the opposition leadership in an effort to maintain dialogue and reach agreement on issues requiring consultation.

Opposition spokesperson Akhunzada Hussain Yousafzai confirmed that the letter from the prime minister had been received.

However, Yousafzai said the opposition believed the government appeared to be moving away from commitments made during previous meetings.

“We have received the letter,” he said, adding that the opposition expected Rana Sanaullah and other government representatives to honour the commitments they had previously made.

The latest communication is expected to determine whether further talks between the government and opposition leadership will take place. The issue of appointments to the Election Commission is among the matters requiring consultation between the government and opposition.