In a meeting between President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad, it has been decided to take forward political contacts with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf. A joint committee comprising the government and the PPP has been formed for this purpose.
According to the Presidency, the committee includes Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Advisor to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah, Federal Minister Amir Muqam, PPP Senator Sherry Rehman, Syed Naveed Qamar and Ijaz Jakhrani.
As per the scheduled programme, a delegation comprising representatives of the federal government and the PPP will meet the PTI leadership tomorrow. The meeting is expected to discuss the current political situation of the country and issues related to mutual differences.
This contact is taking place at a time when, along with political tension between the government and the PTI, the situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has also become an important topic of national political debate. In recent days, consultations have also been ongoing at the federal level on the security and political situation of the province.
The meeting between the President and the Prime Minister also reviewed the overall political and security situation of the country. Concern was expressed, in particular, over the law and order situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The meeting emphasised the need to maintain the national resolve against terrorism and effective communication between relevant institutions.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Federal Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar, Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan, Advisor to the Prime Minister Dr Tauqeer Shah and Senator Saleem Mandviwala, among other leaders. Sherry Rehman, Sharjeel Inam Memon and Nasir Hussain Shah were also present from the PPP.
The upcoming meeting between the government and the PTI is important in that it has created an opportunity for direct communication on political matters between the two sides. However, the scope of the talks and possible progress will be clear only after the talks between the parties.
In the current situation, along with political communication, security matters are also among the priorities of the government. The talks and decisions related to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the coming days can have a significant impact on the political landscape of the country.
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