Ex-PTI Leaders Call for Dialogue With Opposition

ISLAMABAD-(Mudassar Iqbal/Web Desk)- The National Dialogue Committee (NDC) has called on Pakistan’s top government leadership to engage in direct and structured political dialogue with the opposition, aiming to ease mounting political tensions and strengthen the country’s democratic and economic stability.

The appeal was made during a national conference held in Islamabad on Wednesday, which brought together leaders from major political parties, intellectuals, journalists, lawyers, and other stakeholders involved in Pakistan’s political and democratic processes.

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During the gathering, participants warned that growing polarisation in politics is adversely affecting governance and economic performance. Attendees also emphasised the importance of media freedom and urged the government to consider the release of detainees to foster trust and dialogue.

The National Dialogue Committee was recently formed by former Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders, including Fawad Chaudhry, former Sindh governor Imran Ismail and Mahmood Moulvi.

The three former PTI leaders have time and again pushed reconciliation initiative aimed at cooling political temperatures in the country, particularly between the establishment and the PTI,

Unlike earlier attempts focused on PTI founder Imran Khan’s incarceration in the Adiala jail, the group’s immediate emphasis is on Kot Lakhpat Jail, where several senior PTI leaders, including Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Mian Mahmoodur Rashid, Ejaz Chaudhry, Umar Cheema and Dr Yasmin Rashid are currently imprisoned.

In a joint declaration issued after today’s meeting, the committee expressed serious concern over political instability, economic hardships faced by the public, restrictions on political activity and the media, and the persistent threat of terrorism.

Participants stressed the need for national unity, political reconciliation and confidence-building measures, while appreciating the NDC’s role as a bridge between the government and the opposition.

The committee called for the formation of separate negotiation committees by the government and the opposition to formally initiate talks.

It proposed that President Asif Ali Zardari, PML-N President Nawaz Sharif and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif represent the government side, while the NDC would, in consultation with senior opposition leaders currently in jail, announce the names of the opposition’s negotiation committee.

The declaration also emphasised that restrictions on political activities should be lifted, the immediate appointment of leaders of the opposition in both the National Assembly and Senate, and political freedoms ensured within the constitutional framework.

It also demanded the release of women political workers, including Bushra Bibi and Yasmin Rashid, withdrawal of cases against political activists, an end to media censorship and removal of curbs on television anchors.

The national conference convened by the National Dialogue Committee (NDC) emphasized that both the government and opposition must avoid using the armed forces for political purposes or engaging in negative propaganda against state institutions. The gathering paid tribute to the sacrifices of Pakistan’s armed forces, police, Rangers, and other security personnel in the fight against terrorism, offering prayers for the martyrs and strength for their families, while reaffirming national unity in safeguarding the country’s sovereignty, security, and the dignity of state institutions.

Former Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi addressed the conference, stressing that all segments of society share responsibility for Pakistan’s challenges. He highlighted the economy’s fragility, noting how undermining media freedom and the rule of law worsened national conditions. Abbasi called on politicians, the military, judges, and business leaders to work collectively to resolve the country’s problems, stressing that patriotism must extend beyond rhetoric, as the elite had long captured state institutions.

PTI leader Sher Afzal Marwat underscored that Pakistan had yet to fully understand the concept of national security. Citing the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah as an example, he highlighted that dialogue produces sustainable outcomes and warned that political hostility had been taken to extremes. Marwat emphasized that the military should serve as the country’s strength, not a political tool, and noted that PTI’s founding chairman had always been open to dialogue. He added that discussions should focus on the systemic issues affecting Pakistan, rather than solely the release of PTI founder or Kot Lakhpat prisoners.

PTI leader Imran Ismail stated that the national dialogue, which began a month earlier, has now been formalized through the NDC, reflecting the abnormality of Pakistan’s current political situation and the need for a collective effort to put the country on a development path. Recalling decades of exposure to terrorism, he stressed that national unity is essential to counter persistent threats.

Barrister Saif highlighted how political polarisation has created serious challenges, but stressed that constructive dialogue could reduce national problems. He noted that some political parties were absent from the discussion, fearing political losses, and argued that differences between PTI and the state need resolution, including the release of the PTI founder and other political prisoners. He cautioned that ruling circles’ fear of post-release consequences has exacerbated tensions rather than easing them.