Islamabad: Political engagement has intensified in Pakistan as the government and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) separately stepped up contacts with parties in the opposition alliance, while National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq invited Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leaders to his chamber for talks.
The government and PPP have accelerated their separate outreach to opposition parties as efforts continue to advance discussions on key political issues.
Ahead of the meeting with the National Assembly speaker, PTI leader Asad Qaiser said the party would demand full implementation of the court’s decision regarding Imran Khan’s transfer to hospital.
Former PTI secretary general Asad Umar expressed hope that the renewed political process would lead to a positive outcome. However, he said the immediate issue was Imran Khan’s health and that attention remained focused on it.
Meanwhile, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, accompanied by a delegation, met opposition alliance chief Mahmood Khan Achakzai, Senate Opposition Leader Raja Nasir Abbas and other opposition leaders a day earlier.
According to PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja, the PPP welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision concerning Imran Khan and requested the opposition to restore political contacts.
A statement issued by the opposition alliance said Bilawal Bhutto also asked opposition parties to return to parliamentary committees.
Opposition leaders told the PPP chairman that a final decision on returning to parliamentary committees would be taken after consultation with Imran Khan.
PPP leader Raja Pervaiz Ashraf said dialogue and engagement between parliamentary parties were a normal part of the political process.
