ISLAMABAD:
Major political parties, including a broad opposition alliance, welcomed Islamabad’s diplomatic efforts on Wednesday to negotiate a historic deal between the United States and Iran, as the PTI decided to cancel its protest rally in Rawalpindi, coinciding with the high-stakes negotiations.
In a show of political maturity amid deep internal polarization, the main opposition parties welcomed the government’s mediation efforts.
The PTI, the largest opposition party, not only welcomed the two-week ceasefire but also decided to postpone its rally scheduled for April 9 in Liaquat Bagh, Rawalpindi, citing the delicate international situation and the need to prioritize diplomatic success.
PTI Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram announced the decision on Day X after a meeting of the party’s Political Committee, which was attended by Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and senior officials.
The committee reviewed the country’s political situation and recent regional developments, welcomed the ceasefire as “a major success” and appreciated the efforts of all parties involved.
“The PTI wants not just a temporary cessation in the Middle East but a permanent ceasefire and sustainable peace,” the statement said. “Our position is that stability in the region is the guarantee of the global economy and the survival of humanity.”
He added that Pakistan will host a very important meeting on April 10 in Islamabad on a permanent ceasefire, noting that the meeting is of key importance for global and regional peace.
In view of the international context and diplomatic efforts to save the region from war, the committee decided to postpone the rally at Liaquat Bagh, Rawalpindi. The new date will be announced later.
PTI founder Imran Khan conveyed the same message through lawyer Salman Safdar, while PTI president lawyer Gohar Ali Khan reiterated it during his speech in the National Assembly.
PPP president Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also celebrated the event.
In a post on “I commend the tireless efforts of leaders in Tehran, Washington and Islamabad to create the space for de-escalation and diplomacy to prevail.”
He added that the ceasefire offers a critical opportunity for the region to breathe, recover and move away from the shadow of a broader war, and expressed the hope that it will evolve towards a lasting peace that promotes stability and shared prosperity.
JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman termed it as a welcome development. In a post on
He added that it is essential that the Islamic world agree that Israel’s existence has become a threat to global peace, and said that Arab and Gulf countries can realize their development aspirations only through the liberation of Palestine.
Coalition partner MQM offered a stronger reaction. In a statement on
