National Dialogue Committee (NDC) has proposed structured talks between government and the opposition to ease the ongoing tensions.
A group of veteran politicians and former Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders on Wednesday called for structured talks between the government and the opposition to ease political tensions. NDC proposed the release of political detainees as a key confidence-building measure.
The proposals were outlined in a joint statement issued after a conference in Islamabad held under the banner of the newly formed National Dialogue Committee (NDC). The initiative is being spearheaded by former PTI figures, including Fawad Chaudhry, ex-Sindh governor Imran Ismail, Dr Shahzad Waseem and Mahmood Moulvi.
According to the statement, participants agreed that a meaningful dialogue process should be launched through separate committees formed by the government and the opposition. These committees would engage in negotiations aimed at restoring political stability.
The NDC suggested that President Asif Ali Zardari, PML-N President Nawaz Sharif and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif represent the ruling coalition. On the opposition side, the committee said it would announce its nominees after consulting senior opposition leaders currently in jail, following the formation of the government’s committee.
The forum also said it had extended a special invitation to the Tehreek-i-Tahafuz-i-Ayin-i-Pakistan (TTAP), though the opposition alliance reportedly declined to participate.
The statement urged immediate and tangible steps to build trust at the national level, including the release of political workers detained in various cases and the withdrawal of charges against them.I
t further called for the immediate release of all detained women activists, including PTI founder Imran Khan’s wife Bushra Bibi and party leader Yasmin Rashid, along with the provision of necessary medical care.
Other recommendations included lifting restrictions on political activities and ensuring full political freedoms in line with the Constitution and the law. The NDC also stressed the need to appoint leaders of the opposition in both the National Assembly and the Senate, positions that have remained vacant since August 7.
The statement concluded by urging political actors to keep the armed forces out of political disputes and refrain from spreading negative propaganda against state institutions.