ISLAMABAD(The COW News Digital) Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Mahmood Khan Achakzai has urged opposition parties to respond positively to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s latest offer for political dialogue, while insisting that a meeting with PTI founder Imran Khan should be the first condition for meaningful negotiations.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday called on Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and other opposition groups to end their ongoing protest and resolve political differences through talks. The invitation came as PTI supporters continued their march toward Islamabad, with the release of Imran Khan among the protesters’ key demands.
According to reports, Achakzai conveyed his position to opposition leaders through Tehreek Tahafuz Aain-e-Pakistan spokesperson Akhunzada Hussain Yousafzai. He reportedly instructed the opposition to give a positive response if the government formally reaches out for negotiations.
However, Achakzai has linked any meaningful engagement with the government to a meeting with Imran Khan. Sources quoted him as saying that allowing opposition representatives to meet the PTI founder should be the first step toward political negotiations.
Achakzai has also suggested that the government could demonstrate seriousness by facilitating the release of Imran Khan’s sisters, according to the reports.
The opposition leader’s position comes after recent attempts by the government and PTI to negotiate a way out of the political standoff. Previous talks ended without a breakthrough, with the opposition insisting on access to Imran Khan before making a decision on its protest campaign.
Earlier this month, Achakzai had said he was willing to hold talks with government representatives but objected to meetings being held at the Prime Minister’s House, the Prime Minister’s Office or the National Assembly speaker’s chamber. He said he was prepared to meet at another location in Pakistan.
According to sources cited in the latest reports, Achakzai believes a meeting with the prime minister would have little purpose if opposition representatives are unable to meet Imran Khan first. He has reportedly indicated that the opposition could consider refusing a meeting with Shehbaz Sharif if that condition is not met.
The government, meanwhile, has continued to publicly advocate dialogue as a way to resolve the confrontation. In his remarks on Tuesday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif urged the opposition to abandon the long march and sit with the government to address political issues through negotiations.
The latest development keeps the possibility of dialogue open while highlighting a major point of disagreement between the two sides. The government is seeking an end to the protest and a return to political negotiations, while the opposition is demanding steps concerning Imran Khan before making further commitments.
With political tensions continuing in the country, the response of the government to Achakzai’s condition could determine whether the latest dialogue initiative moves forward.
For now, Achakzai has asked opposition parties to remain open to negotiations if contacted by the government, but has emphasized that a meeting with Imran Khan should come before any direct engagement with the prime minister.
