LAHORE: Amid efforts by the coalition government to win back a former key ally, PML-N President Nawaz Sharif has called for an all-inclusive dialogue involving all political parties, including the PTI, as well as state institutions, to address Pakistan’s ongoing crises.
This proposal for a comprehensive dialogue comes amid attempts by President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to reconcile with their former ally, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, who had recently announced plans to oppose the government independently.
During a meeting at the PML-N headquarters in Model Town on Saturday, party leaders discussed various issues, including recent relief for electricity consumers, local government reforms in Punjab, and restructuring the ruling party in the province. The strategy to deal with the PTI, which is facing significant backlash following the May 9 riots, was also a key topic.
A statement released by the PML-N after the meeting quoted Nawaz Sharif urging, “All political parties, governments, and institutions should collaborate in decision-making. [They] need to sit together to steer the country out of crises.”
This statement was issued amidst reports that PML-N Punjab President Rana Sanaullah has been tasked with reaching out to Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) chief Mahmood Khan Achakzai — the leader of the PTI-dominated opposition alliance for constitutional supremacy — for talks.
Clarifying speculations about his recent meeting with Achakzai, Rana Sanaullah said, “I met Achakzai sahib because he is a seasoned politician who has supported the PML-N leadership in challenging times. I conveyed Nawaz Sharif’s respect for him and invited him to align with the PML-N.”
He emphasized that neither Achakzai nor the PML-N believed he was authorized to speak on behalf of Imran Khan. Sanaullah further stated, “No one from the PML-N approached the PTI for talks. How can we seek dialogue with PTI when it categorically stated it would not hold talks with us?”
Sanaullah also highlighted that Nawaz Sharif had called for cooperation between all political parties, including the PTI, and institutions like the army and judiciary to tackle public issues, particularly those concerning the economy. He added that Sharif’s stance remained consistent with his earlier statements during his homecoming rally at Minar-i-Pakistan.
Divided Stance on Talks with PTI
While Nawaz Sharif advocated for dialogue with all parties, some senior PML-N leaders dismissed the idea of negotiations with the PTI. Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, PML-N’s secretary general, told reporters after the meeting that talks with the PTI would only be possible if they apologized for the May 9 violence targeting military installations. He criticized the PTI for “bringing a US Congress resolution through an Indian lobby against Pakistan” and their involvement in the May 9 riots. Similarly, Khawaja Asif, another senior leader, expressed his opposition to any talks with the PTI.
According to a party insider, there are two factions within the PML-N: one advocating engagement with the PTI to reduce political tensions and stabilize the economy, while the other fears that dialogue with the PTI would make the PML-N politically vulnerable.
PTI’s Response and Uncertain Stance
Reacting to the dialogue offer, PTI leader Asad Qaiser questioned its sincerity, pointing to conflicting statements from the government. He mentioned that Nawaz Sharif’s call for talks was immediately contradicted by Defence Minister Khawaja Asif’s declaration of no dialogue with the PTI. Qaiser noted that if the government was serious, they should directly approach PkMAP chief Mahmood Khan Achakzai, who had already been designated by Imran Khan to negotiate on behalf of the PTI.
PTI opposition leader in the National Assembly, Omar Ayub, stated that the party was open to talks provided the government released PTI detainees, including Imran Khan.
It is important to note that when Imran Khan recently expressed a conditional apology over the May 9 events, key PML-N leaders, including Maryam Nawaz and others, collectively rejected his offer, declaring he would not be pardoned under any circumstances.
PML-N Meeting in Model Town
Nawaz Sharif and Shehbaz Sharif co-chaired the PML-N leadership meeting in Lahore, attended by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and other senior leaders. The discussion focused on following up on the power relief measures announced by the Punjab government and strategies to reorganize and strengthen the PML-N, especially in its traditional stronghold of Punjab. The performance of the federal and Punjab governments under Shehbaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz was also reviewed.
Briefing the media, Ahsan Iqbal stated that Nawaz Sharif urged both federal and provincial governments to cut expenditures and provide maximum relief to the public. The meeting also reviewed the new local government system and the performance of the federal and Punjab governments.
It was decided that local government elections in Punjab would be held following necessary reforms. Addressing questions about Nawaz Sharif’s planned trip to London for treatment in September, Iqbal clarified that no final decision had been made yet.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also informed the meeting about his recent interactions with leaders of other political parties, including his call to JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, urging him to refrain from any agitation against the government.
