Rabbani urges govt to hold talks with protesting parties

Rabbani urges govt to hold talks with protesting parties

Former Senate chairman and senior Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Senator Raza Rabbani has urged the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N)-led federal government to engage in dialogue with political parties staging protests, stressing that negotiations and peaceful demonstrations are essential components of a democratic system.

In a statement, Rabbani said dialogue and protest represented “two important wheels” of democracy. He maintained that peaceful protest constitutes a constitutional right and that political parties should exercise this right within the limits prescribed by law.

The senior PPP leader also called on the federal government to avoid what he described as an excessive response to political demonstrations. He questioned the need for arrests at the current stage, arguing that the government should address political grievances through dialogue rather than relying on coercive measures.

Rabbani urged the government to open channels of communication with protesting political groups and work towards resolving disputes through parliamentary and democratic means. He said the authorities should respect the constitutional right to peaceful assembly while ensuring that protests remain peaceful and comply with the law.

The former Senate chairman also called for the federal government to convene a joint sitting of Parliament to discuss major foreign policy and national security issues.

According to Rabbani, Parliament should be taken into confidence over Pakistan’s position and potential role in the ongoing US-Iran conflict. He also called for a detailed discussion on the Makkah Defence Agreement, saying the country’s elected representatives should have an opportunity to examine the agreement and discuss its implications.

Rabbani’s remarks come amid ongoing political tensions, with opposition parties using protests to raise their demands and challenge government policies. His call highlights the need for political dialogue and parliamentary consultation to address contentious domestic and foreign policy matters.