Live Updates: PM Shehbaz forms negotiation committee for PTI talks in National Assembly

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan assigned on Sunday Barrister Saif the responsibility of uniting opposition parties.

Sources divulged on Sunday that the PTI founder directed Saif to expedite negotiations with opposition leaders under the leadership of Ali Amin Gandapur. Saif had already made phone calls to several key opposition leaders, sources stated.

An important meeting involving opposition parties is expected to take place at the Chief Minister’s House later this week.

It is expected that leaders of the Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA), including Pir Pagara and Zulfiqar Mirza, will meet with Barrister Saif this week.

The PTI was looking to involve the heads of other major parties, such as Jamaat-e-Islami and JUI-F in the ongoing discussions.

Watch live coverage

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf spokesperson Sheikh Waqas Akram said PTI has accepted Speaker Ayaz Sadiq's invitation to meet on Monday with the nine-member government’s negotiating committee.

“Tomorrow our negotiation committee will go for a meeting,” Sheikh Waqas Akram told media persons in Peshawar.

Waqas Akram said the PTI founder will be informed about the progress of the meeting and the PTI founder will decide whether to cancel the civil disobedience movement later.

“Hopefully the government committee will show seriousness tomorrow,” a PTI spokesperson expressed hope in the negotiations.

“The PTI founder will determine the future strategy,” Waqas Akram said.

What has happened so far in Pakistan’s political landscape in the last 24 hours?

It is pertinent to note following the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) announcement of a committee for negotiation, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has formed a nine-member negotiating committee to hold talks with the opposition PTI.

Following the announcement, the Speaker National Assembly Ayaz Sadiq invited both committees to meeting on Monday at 11 am.

Both the treasury and opposition welcomed the formation of the negotiation committee to chalk out the future framework to end the stalemate in the political landscape of Pakistan.

All eyes are on the first round of the meeting to be held on Monday after much ‘political drama’ in which both sides stood fast to their original positions of not holding talks.

Prime Minister’s legal advisor, Barrister Aqeel Malik, stated that the release of the founder of PTI is not part of the agenda for the ongoing negotiations.

He emphasized that there would be no leniency or deal under the guise of dialogue.

Barrister Aqeel further clarified that the desire for relief related to the events of May 9 could not be granted.

He added that the committee will define the terms of reference (TOR) and the agenda before any further discussions take place.

The legal advisor also stated that negotiations cannot proceed while calls for civil disobedience are being made, underscoring the need for a cooperative approach in the talks.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has announced the formation of a negotiation committee comprising members of the ruling coalition to address proposals regarding the National Assembly.

The decision comes after PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar requested the Speaker of the National Assembly to play a mediatory role in initiating dialogue.

The committee includes key figures from the government and coalition parties Senator Ishaq Dar, Rana Sanaullah, Senator Irfan Siddiqui, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Naveed Qamar, Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Abdul Aleem Khan, Chaudhry Salik Hussain and Sardar Khalid Magsi.

Barrister Gohar, representing PTI, had earlier urged the Speaker of the National Assembly to mediate talks, emphasizing the importance of resolving political differences through dialogue. He reiterated the need for discussions with PTI, expressing hope that national security and the country’s greater interests would be prioritized.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif commended the Speaker of the National Assembly’s efforts and stressed the need for unity, saying, "Pakistan belongs to all of us, and we must put the nation's interests above all else."

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan formally issued a statement distancing the party from former federal minister Fawad Chaudhry, following the directive of PTI founder Imran Khan.

In his statement, Gohar said: "A meeting took place at Adiala Jail, where PTI’s legal team met Imran Khan. During the meeting, Khan instructed the team to declare public disassociation from Fawad Chaudhry."

Gohar affirmed that PTI had announced the complete disassociation from Fawad Chaudhry.

He said: "Fawad Chaudhry had no association with  the PTI and is not authorised to represent the party on media, social media or television platforms."

Barrister Gohar further stated that Fawad Chaudhry could not present his views as PTI’s stance.

Watch live coverage

National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq underscored the importance of dialogue and democratic principles during his media talk after the conclusion of the 18th Speakers Conference on Friday.

Reiterating his commitment to facilitating negotiations, he stated, “If someone comes to us for negotiations, we will play a role. Our doors are open, and we will not refuse anyone.”

Sadiq expressed optimism about resolving political tensions, emphasizing that initiating talks would pave the way for progress. He said, “I am sure that the day negotiations begin, the matter will definitely move forward. We will facilitate quietly and recite Ayatul Kursi and Durood Sharif for everyone’s betterment.” 

He further said that the day the PTI members came to him, they'd discuss negotiations, adding that they could not force people to come and talk. "For the betterment, we will plead with whomever we have to. The day negotiations begin, a path ahead will start being built." 

The speaker also urged the government and opposition to prioritise the formation of a Public Accounts Committee. He declared, “If they fail to do so, I will form the committee myself.”

The speaker noted that their job was to facilitate the parliamentary members, adding that his doors were open for everyone. "Speakers issue production orders and will also get them implemented," he stressed. 

Highlighting institutional reforms, Sadiq announced significant changes to the National Assembly Secretariat. “Officers below Grade 20 will not be taken on deputation. The authority of the speaker in recruitments has been abolished, and decisions will now be made by the Finance Committee,” he said.

These measures aim to strengthen the NA Secretariat as an independent institution. On the 18th Speakers Conference, Sadiq thanked participants for their commitment to upholding the Constitution and parliamentary supremacy.

“We will continue to work for the supremacy of parliament and democracy. Difference of opinion is the beauty of democracy,” he remarked. The next conference will be hosted by the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, and AJK and Gilgit-Baltistan will become members of the Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services (PIPS).

Gilani calls for unity and stability

Following the conference, Senate Chairman Yousaf Raza Gilani, while addressing journalists, echoed the sentiments shared at the Speakers Conference. He lauded the 18th Amendment for promoting national stability and empowering smaller provinces.

“The decisions under this amendment should be implemented for sustained political stability,” he said. 

Gilani also stressed the need for an economic pact and acknowledged the relevance of Artificial Intelligence in modern governance. “Difference of opinion is the beauty of democracy, but it should not harm the country,” he added, emphasizing the importance of unity in diversity.

Both leaders called for increased efforts on pressing public issues, including environmental change. Sadiq highlighted the need for a “charter” to ensure that Parliament functions ethically and in alignment with established rules.