The National Dialogue Committee (NDC) convenes a conference in Islamabad to discuss the political situation in the country. Photo:
ISLAMABAD:
A group of former Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders, along with politicians from other parties, on Wednesday proposed a series of confidence-building measures, including the formation of high-powered negotiation teams comprising government and opposition representatives, to help lower the country’s political temperature.
The proposals were outlined in a joint statement issued by the National Dialogue Committee (NDC), an initiative launched by former PTI leaders Fawad Chaudhry, Imran Ismail and Mahmood Moulvi. The NDC called a national conference to begin a dialogue process aimed at bringing the government and the opposition to the negotiating table.
The NDC meeting was attended by senior politician and former Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, expelled PTI leader Sher Afzal Marwat; Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) representative Liaqat Baloch and former Karachi mayor Wasim Akhtar representing Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM).
However, despite the invitation, the three main political parties – Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Tehreek Tahafuz Ayin Pakistan (TTAP) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) – were conspicuous by their absence during the meeting.
The event was attended by senior PTI leader Barrister Saif, who had served as an advisor to former Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur. His attendance raised doubts as the PTI had explicitly ordered its members not to attend the NDC.
Intellectuals, journalists, lawyers and other stakeholders associated with the political and democratic system of Pakistan were present. After its session, the NDC issued a joint statement presenting a series of proposals.
He called for the immediate appointment of opposition leaders in the Senate and National Assembly, an end to media censorship and the withdrawal of cases against political figures. He said the release of political workers would help build confidence in the negotiation process and reduce political confrontation.
The statement urged the government to form a committee comprising President Asif Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif to advance the dialogue process. Once this process begins, the NDC will consult with senior opposition leaders in jail and then announce the members of the opposition committee.
The statement proposed that the government and opposition form separate committees of their representatives to conduct negotiations. He also called for lifting restrictions on political activities, ensuring the appointment of opposition leaders in parliament and safeguarding political freedoms.
The NDC also demanded the release of female political workers, including Bushra Bibi and Yasmin Rashid, and other detained activists. He called for an end to media censorship and urged both sides to stop using state institutions for political objectives.
The meeting expressed concern over the current political unrest and economic difficulties faced by the state and its people. The statement also called on the government and the opposition to avoid involving the armed forces in politics or spreading negative propaganda against state institutions.
The meeting paid tribute to the sacrifices of Pakistan’s armed forces, police, Rangers and other security personnel in the fight against terrorism. Prayers were offered for the martyrs and solidarity was expressed with their families. The participants reaffirmed national unity to safeguard the sovereignty, security and dignity of its institutions of Pakistan.
The participants agreed to continue the national dialogue and emphasized that the NDC would continue its efforts in the public and national interest.
The NDC was recently formed by a group of PTI leaders, including Fawad Chaudhry, former Sindh governor Imran Ismail, and Mahmood Maulvi, all of whom held key positions during the PTI government.
The committee has positioned itself as a forum to build bridges to lead the country out of a prolonged political paralysis. However, the initiative has faced resistance within the PTI.
Hardline members of the party have publicly distanced themselves from the NDC, and the party’s central information secretary previously disassociated the PTI from the committee’s efforts. Despite this opposition, NDC members have continued to push their agenda.
