ISLAMABAD – The political deadlock seems to persist as the prospects for productive talks between the government and PTI remain uncertain. The government has twice extended a formal invitation to the opposition (PTI) for direct talks to settle the political differences but the opposition party showing a cold shoulder for sitting down for talks.
Background discussions with senior members from both sides revealed that there are no chances of successful dialogue in the near future. The demands of the opposition parties are not practical as they want immediate release of their incarcerated leader and other jailed party members. The political differences, senior parliamentarians desiring not to be named, unlikely to be resolved in the current political scenario. Though the PTI wants the government to formally announce its ‘members for dialogue committee’, yet they were also not inching forward to resolve the issues.
“If the government wants meaningful dialogue with the main opposition party, it should immediately announce a representative of the government for the talks with the opposition,” shared by a senior PTI’s parliamentarian Riaz Fatyana linking the possibility of ‘meaningful talks’ with the government’s practical initiative in this regard. Sharing his views with this newspaper, PTI’s MNA from Kamalia said that the PTI will surely announce the members of the committee from its side immediately after the government’s announcement of the committee.
“Meaningful dialogues need practical steps, mere extending verbal offers from parliament’s platform will not produce any result,” said Fatyana, expressing doubts that the government has extended the invitations only for public consumption as seriousness required to resolve the longstanding issue. PTI’s MNA was of the view that the venue of the talks should be in the parliament so that both sides could thoroughly discuss the matter to reach consensus. “Parliament’s committee’s room, Speaker’s chamber are appropriate places for talks,” he said, adding that this important matter should not be further delayed. Talking to this newspaper, senior members of treasury benches said the government will keep trying to resolve the difference for parliamentary democracy. The opposition should cooperate with the government for the progress of the country.
The government and opposition has already made a failed attempt to resolve the political issues in the committee chaired by PPP’s senior leader Syed Khursheed Shah. This parliamentary body only met twice as the members from both sides could not reach on the same page. About previous attempts for the talks, PTI’s MNA said these talks remained inconclusive due to ‘non-serious’ initiative by the government. Whereas, the government side claims the opposition party came up with weird demands in the talk’s process. “They want the government to immediately release their leader. He (PTI’s leader) is behind the bar on the court’s order, so the court decision should be respected, shared a senior member from treasury benches.”
