The National Dialogue Committee (NDC) has welcomed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s renewed offer to hold talks with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), urging the release of senior imprisoned PTI leaders to facilitate meaningful dialogue.
In a letter addressed to the Prime Minister, the NDC—comprising Fawad Chaudhry, Imran Ismail, and Mahmood Maulvi—appreciated the government’s initiative while emphasizing the need for confidence-building measures to ensure successful negotiations.
The committee specifically requested that senior PTI figures detained in Kot Lakhpat Jail, including Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Dr. Yasmin Rashid, Omar Sarfraz Cheema, Mian Mehmood-ur-Rasheed, and former Senator Ejaz Chaudhry, be released on parole. Their participation, the NDC argued, is crucial for the dialogue process to be effective and constructive.
Highlighting the importance of political stability through dialogue, the NDC stressed that goodwill gestures such as these would foster trust and create a positive environment for negotiations.
The committee called on all political parties to prioritize national interests, aiming to reach a consensus on a comprehensive Charter of Democracy and a Charter of Economy to ensure long-term political stability and economic growth.
The NDC underlined that without confidence-building measures, any dialogue process would struggle to achieve meaningful and sustainable results.
Earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif conditionally accepted PTI’s request for talks, asserting that the government is willing to engage only if the opposition demonstrates seriousness and commitment to political stability. Speaking at a federal cabinet meeting, the Prime Minister reiterated that while the government remains open to dialogue, illegal demands or attempts at coercion under the guise of discussions would not be entertained.
The ongoing exchange reflects efforts from both sides to pave the way for dialogue while balancing legal, political, and procedural considerations, signaling cautious optimism for future negotiations between the government and opposition forces in Pakistan.
