PTI forms committee for talks with JI amid crisis in Pakistan
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has created a three-member committee to conduct negotiations with the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) following JI’s recent attempt to initiate talks between the government and the PTI.
The JI proposed these talks due to the country’s worsening economic and political situation. PTI Secretary General Asad Umar announced the committee’s formation on Twitter, stating that it resulted from a meeting with PTI Chairman Imran Khan and JI Emir Sirajul Haq. The committee consists of Pervez Khattak, Ejaz Ahmad Chaudhary, and Mian Mahmood ur Rashid.
Previously, the JI had held separate meetings with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the PTI chief in an effort to bring the two parties to the negotiating table.
During the meeting with the PM, the leaders discussed the current political situation and judicial crisis in the country, agreeing that issues should be resolved using collective wisdom.
Sources reported that both sides found the meetings to be highly successful, agreeing to negotiate and end the months-long confrontation that has negatively impacted the country’s economy and the public.
The PTI has been holding protests since their ouster in April of last year, demanding early elections, which the government has consistently refused to hold.
In response, the PTI dissolved the Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) assemblies, but the Shehbaz-led administration did not yield. However, the situation took a turn when the Supreme Court ordered holding polls in Punjab on May 14.
Despite the judiciary’s decision, the parliament rejected the verdict, leading to tensions between the government and judiciary.
JI Secretary Information Qaisar Sharif confirmed that the JI decided to contact political parties to reach a consensus on holding elections on the same day, as the country cannot afford any chaos at this time.
Both the PTI and JI agreed to continue meeting and include other parties in the negotiation process. The JI leader noted that the PTI chairman appreciated the JI’s efforts and that the two parties agreed to continue contact after Eid ul Fitr.
