Govt approaches Senate chairman to form a parliamentary panel for talks with PTI

The ruling alliance has proposed the creation of a 10-member parliamentary committee, as instructed by the Supreme Court. This committee will consist of an equal number of representatives from both sides and will engage in discussions regarding the scheduling of nationwide elections on a single date.

In response, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has established a three-member committee to engage in talks with the ruling alliance regarding elections on the same day.

The rigid political scenario has experienced a thaw as the government has suggested the formation of a parliamentary committee to address the terms of the talks. This suggestion arises due to an impending Supreme Court deadline for political parties to reach a consensus on an election date.

Sources reveal that Federal Minister for Law Azam Nazeer Tarar and Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique have reached out to Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani regarding this matter.

Furthermore, it is proposed that the parliamentary committee should consist of five members from each side (government and opposition) and be accommodated within the Parliament for the purpose of conducting the talks. Simultaneously, Sanjrani has written a letter to the opposition, informing them of the government’s suggestions.

In the letter addressed to PTI leader Shehzad Waseem, the Senate chairman emphasizes that he has been approached by the ruling coalition to mediate a “political dialogue to address the ongoing political and economic crisis, including the holding of general elections.”

Sanjrani adds that a 10-member special committee, co-chaired by the Leader of the House in the Senate and the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate, will be established. This committee will consist of four members each from the government and opposition benches.

He also mentions that his office and the Senate will be available to facilitate the talks. Additionally, he requests Waseem to provide the names of four members from the opposition benches, on behalf of the PTI, within two days, to be included in the committee.

Earlier, Sanjrani had reportedly contacted PTI leaders Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Asad Umar, and Waseem.

In the meantime, former prime minister Imran Khan has formed a three-member panel to engage in dialogue with the government regarding elections and other relevant matters. The panel consists of PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Vice President Fawad Chaudhry, and Senator Barrister Ali Zafar.

It is worth noting that the Supreme Court has instructed political parties to engage in dialogue in order to reach a consensus on the election date in the country, with the government emphasizing the need for simultaneous elections.

The government is expected to provide an update on the implementation of these orders during today’s hearing on pleas requesting simultaneous elections nationwide.

On April 4, a three-member bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial had directed the government to hold elections in Punjab on May 14.

However, after issuing their written verdict in the previous hearing, the court clarified that its judgment regarding the election delay had already established May 14 as the date for the Punjab Assembly elections.

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