• Barrister Aqeel expects committee, which will include representatives from PML-N and allied parties, to be notified by end of the week
• Speakers’ moot stresses importance of dispute resolution through dialogue, pushes for ‘Charter of Parliamentary Ethics and Decorum’

ISLAMABAD: The federal government is expected to soon form a committee to hold talks with the opposition PTI, after both sides acknowledged that negotiations were “the only way forward”.

Jailed PTI founder, Imran Khan, had already formed a five-member committee for holding negotiations on a two-point agenda: the release of PTI’s workers and supporters from prisons and judicial inquiry into the events of the May 9 riots and November 24 protest.

The committee included Omar Ayub, Asad Qaiser, Salman Akram Raja, Ali Amin Khan Gandapur and Sahibzada Hamid Raza.

The government is now expected to reciprocate the move and name its committee, which would include leaders from the ruling PML-N and its allied parties in the federal government, PM’s adviser Barrister Aqeel Malik said on Friday.

Speaking to DawnNewsTV, Barrister Aqeel said the committee was expected to be notified by the end of the week.

The PTI had set Sunday as a deadline for the government to demonstrate its seriousness for talks. Otherwise, the PTI founder said he would give a call to launch a civil disobedience movement.

Barrister Aqeel said the government was “serious” in holding talks with the PTI but warned that dialogues can’t take place with the “dangling sword of civil disobedience”.

He said the government committee would reflect the formation of the parliamentary committee — formed earlier this year by the speaker to resolve political disputes — which had the representation of all parties, including the PTI.

He added that the talks should be meaningful and unconditional and expressed misgivings over PTI’s seriousness for negotiations.

However, a thaw became visible earlier this week in the National Assembly, where both parties agreed on the need for dialogue to settle their issues.

It was followed by a message from National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, who expressed willingness to “play his role” in facilitating the talks.

Mr Sadiq reiterated his position on Friday, and suggested that both sides form their committees for dialogue.

“I have asked both sides to form their committee to initiate talks,” the speaker said at the conclusion of the 18th Speakers Conference.

Mr Malik also said the two committees would meet at the speaker’s office to decide the terms of reference and ambit of the proposed negotiations.

Need for dialogue

At the Speakers’ Conference — attended by the custodians of all four provincial legislatures, as well as the Azad Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan assemblies — has also emphasised the need to resolve disputes and common challenges through dialogue.

In a joint declaration at the end of the conference, the forum observed that erosion of civility, decency, and respect for differences of opinion undermined the fundamental values of parliamentary democracy, ignited polarisation and hampered constructive dialogue.

The conference resolved to join hands in reinvigorating the fundamental parliamentary values of constructive dialogue, mutual understanding, and an enduring respect for differences of opinion.

It reiterated the time-honoured parliamentary dictum: “The treasury may have its way, but the opposition must have its say, as a cornerstone of parliamentary democracy, ensuring that all voices are heard and respected in the legislative and decision-making process,” it added.

The conference agreed to invoke the well-established role of the speaker as a mediator and impartial facilitator to initiate an all-parties dialogue to achieve a consensus “Charter of Parliamentary Ethics and Decorum” to restore trust and respect of the legislatures.

Published in Dawn, December 21st, 2024