ISLAMABAD: Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) President Mehmood Khan Achakzai announced on Monday in the National Assembly that he is willing to engage in talks with the “establishment” to uphold the supremacy of the Constitution and help resolve the country’s ongoing crisis. His unexpected statement came in response to a speech by Defence Minister and PML-N leader Khawaja Asif, who had asked if Mr. Achakzai, nominated by the opposition PTI for dialogue, would agree to such talks.
In his address, Mr. Achakzai emphasized that he would negotiate with all institutions, including the establishment, but not to seek their guidance. Instead, he proposed providing the establishment with an “honorable retreat,” stressing the need for the supremacy of the Constitution. He called for unity among political leaders, including PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif and PPP co-chair Asif Zardari, to strengthen Parliament as the supreme institution through democratic elections.
Mr. Achakzai argued that politicians, the army, and others share responsibility for the current situation and must come together to admit past mistakes and move forward. He urged Speaker Ayaz Sadiq to act impartially and play a role in facilitating dialogue among all parties and institutions, including the Chief of Army Staff, to find solutions to the nation’s problems.
The debate began after opposition leader Omar Ayub Khan refuted Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal’s claim that PTI leader Imran Khan was seeking a deal. In response, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif accused Imran Khan of being “desperate” for reconciliation with the establishment, suggesting that Mr. Achakzai be asked to mediate on PTI’s behalf.
Amid these discussions, the National Assembly passed four bills, including the Apostille Bills 2024, the Cannabis Control and Regulatory Authority Bill 2024, the Establishment of Telecommunication Appellate Tribunal Bill 2024, and the Privatisation Commission (Amendment) Bill 2024, despite noisy protests from the opposition.
