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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Friday welcomed the government’s acceptance of the PPP’s proposal for joint political engagement with the opposition, saying political problems should be resolved through political means.
In a post on X, Bilawal said, “I’m pleased that the government has accepted the PPP’s suggestion to jointly engage politically with the opposition in an effort to find political solutions to political problems.”
The PPP chairman said the challenge of terrorism had become an existential threat to Pakistan, particularly in view of what he described as active support being provided to militant groups by neighbouring countries.
“I hope these talks conclude with the opposition unconditionally calling off its long march,” Bilawal said, adding that this would enable the nation to come together to combat terrorism and address threats emanating from neighbouring countries.
Bilawal reiterated that the PPP had been, and would always remain, committed to combating terrorism through “any and all constitutional means.”
Earlier, during the course of talks, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan conveyed the positions of the opposition leadership and Mahmood Khan Achakzai to the government. The PTI delegation said it would consult its political committee and discuss the government’s position with KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi.
Talking to the media after the meeting, Barrister Gohar said both sides had exchanged their positions in a “good environment” and expressed hope that the situation would improve. He said negotiations would continue on Saturday and that the outcome of the next round would determine the subsequent course of action.
Later, the opposition delegation Friday held consultations with Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly Mahmood Khan Achakzai at his residence, following talks with the ruling coalition, briefing him on the progress of negotiations and discussing the future course of action.
Immediately after the meeting with the government team, the opposition committee called on Achakzai, who also heads the Tehreek Tahaffuz Ayeen-e-Pakistan (TTAP). The meeting focused on the details of the negotiations and various matters related to the ongoing dialogue.
The opposition leaders, led by Leader of Opposition in the Senate Senator Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, briefed Achakzai on the progress made during their talks with government representatives.
According to opposition alliance spokesman Akhunzada Hussain, the meeting also included consultations on the negotiating process and the opposition’s future strategy. PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, Salman Akram Raja, Asad Qaiser, Aamir Dogar, Haleem Adil Sheikh and Akhunzada Hussain were also present. Achakzai had refused to hold consultations with the prime minister on the three key appointments in the Election Commission at the Prime Minister’s House, Prime Minister’s Office or the Speaker’s Chamber. Speaking after the meeting, Raja Nasir Abbas said, “The government’s attitude during the negotiations was appropriate; we hope for a positive outcome.”
Separately, PPP Vice President Senator Sherry Rehman Friday urged PTI to end its proposed long march unconditionally, warning that such actions could escalate rather than reduce violence.
Talking to the media alongside Naveed Qamar and Ijaz Jhakrani after the government-PTI talks, Sherry said the PTI should not merely postpone or cancel the march but “end” it altogether. “Such actions increase violence, rather than reducing it,” she said, adding that the PPP would never undertake a long march for an individual.
Asked about the PTI’s demands presented during the negotiations, she said she could not comment at this stage and stressed that neither side should undermine the trust being built through the dialogue.
“We should not hurt each other’s trust. The talks taking place now need to be given time,” she said, expressing hope that the negotiations would conclude on Saturday and the sides would reach an agreement. Senator Sherry also drew attention to the deteriorating security situation in KP, saying attacks by Fitna al-Khawarij and other groups were claiming the lives of civilians and security personnel. “Our people are being martyred, our soldiers are being martyred and our police personnel are being martyred,” she said.
