TTAP agrees to dialogue with the government and requests a new letter

Tehreek-e-Tahaffuz-e-Ain Pakistan (TTAP) accepted Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s call for dialogue with the government, while urging the adoption of a new charter to lift the country out of its current political and economic crisis.

The development follows the prime minister’s statement a day earlier that the government was open to dialogue with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), adding that “if the PTI is serious about negotiations, the government is equally ready.”

However, he clarified that ‘dialogue can only advance on the basis of legitimate demands and constitutional principles,’ and stressed that political harmony is essential for the stability and progress of Pakistan.”

Read: The prime minister extends an olive branch to the opposition

In a statement released on Wednesday, TTAP said it held a meeting under the chairmanship of coalition chief Mahmood Khan Achakzai. The meeting included consultations on the opposition’s successful two-day national conference, plans to observe a “Black Day” on February 8 in Pakistan and around the world, future strategies regarding strikes and the Prime Minister’s invitation to negotiate.

The statement said participants “agreed in principle that there is an urgent need for a new charter to lead the country out of political and economic crisis, lack of peace and governance, and eliminate public disillusionment.”

According to the proposed letter, the opposition is ready to engage in dialogue on holding transparent elections, appointment of a new mutually agreed electoral commissioner, parliamentary supremacy, rule of law, protection of human rights and strengthening constitutional and democratic values.

The statement also noted that Achakzai had responded to the Speaker of the National Assembly’s invitation to hold talks in the chamber, saying that “if all political parties in Pakistan agree on the restoration of the 1973 Constitution, parliamentary and civil supremacy, and non-interference of institutions beyond their constitutional limits, he would take the responsibility of securing Imran Khan’s signature on the new charter.”

TTAP leaders also decided to form subcommittees at the provincial and district levels to ensure the success of the February 8 Black Day and street mobilization, and announcements regarding these subcommittees will be made soon.

The meeting was attended by the vice president of the coalition, Senator Allama Raja Nasir Abbas; BNP (Mengal) leader Sajid Tarin; the secretary general of the TTAP, Asad Qaiser; Vice President Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar; and coalition spokesperson Akhunzada Hussain Yousafzai.

NDC welcomes Prime Minister’s dialogue offer

The National Dialogue Committee (NDC) welcomed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s renewed offer of dialogue with the opposition, particularly the PTI, describing it as a “golden and very positive opportunity” for political stability and democratic continuity.

In an official letter to the prime minister, the committee said it believes “dialogue and reconciliation are the only viable path forward” amid Pakistan’s current political, economic and institutional crises. The letter praised the government’s clear and constructive policy statement as a result of the committee’s persistent efforts.

The NDC stressed that for the talks to be successful, they must begin with “meaningful confidence-building measures.” He specifically sought the parole release of senior PTI leaders currently detained in Kot Lakhpat Jail, including Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Dr Yasmin Rashid, Omar Sarfraz Cheema, Mian Mehmood-ur-Rasheed and former Senator Ejaz Chaudhry, to enable their effective participation in the dialogue process.

The committee said: “This gesture of goodwill would not only create an extremely positive, conducive and trust-filled environment for negotiations, but would also lay a solid foundation for restoring mutual trust between all stakeholders.”

Furthermore, he called on all political parties to prioritize the national interest and actively participate in the process, working towards consensus on a comprehensive Charter of Democracy and Charter of the Economy. According to the NDC, these letters are essential to achieving lasting political stability and economic recovery.