Ayaz Sadiq Urges Govt-Opposition Talks to Stay Respectful and Productive
Ayaz Sadiq Urges Govt-Opposition Talks to Stay Respectful and Productive
National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq stated on Sunday that both the government and opposition should engage in constructive and respectful discussions to achieve favourable results, according to a release from the lower house of the parliament.
Negotiations between the government and the PTI began in the final week of December to lower political tensions, but despite several weeks of talks, progress on key issues such as forming a judicial commission and releasing PTI detainees has been minimal. Disputes between the government and opposition persisted on Saturday, despite the dialogue’s resumption after a prolonged stalemate, with both the PML-N-led coalition and PTI accusing one another of hindering negotiations and lacking a serious approach. The speaker asserted that neither the government nor the PTI had contacted him for subsequent negotiation rounds despite his readiness to offer a venue.
However, PTI’s Asad Qaiser told Dawn that the NA speaker had become unreachable following their conversation on January 4. In a statement from the National Assembly secretariat today, it was noted that the speaker had suggested “constructive and positive discussions between the two groups on several occasions.” In the most recent meeting between the parties, the spokesperson mentioned that Speaker Sadiq continuously welcomed members of the negotiation committees to his office. “Ayaz Sadiq not only asserted that he would grant the opposition more time than the government, but he also acted accordingly,” the spokesperson indicated.
The speaker is an advocate for resolving matters through dialogue and mutual understanding, consistently emphasizing the importance of respecting one another, the spokesperson added, stating that Sadiq is still earnestly aiding the dialogue process. “The speaker’s success lies in the fact that individuals who previously refused to shake hands are now engaged in discussions,” the spokesperson quoted, further noting that it is the duty of both the government and opposition to utilize the speaker’s facilitation for the country’s benefit.
“The speaker has provided members with a platform and is eager for the negotiations to succeed,” it mentioned. Since Imran’s imprisonment last year due to various cases, his party’s relations with the government and the establishment have deteriorated significantly. Over the past year, the PTI has conducted numerous protests, many of which escalated into violence following state repression.
Tensions intensified after the PTI’s ‘Final Call’ power demonstration last month, leading to renewed demands for the party’s banning and the establishment of task forces against an alleged “malicious campaign,” with the PTI claiming that a dozen of its supporters died, a claim the government officially contests.
Nonetheless, after Imran established a five-member committee for discussions with “anyone,” his lawmakers adopted a more conciliatory tone in parliament, and the government formed its committee consisting of ruling coalition members.
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