Govt, PPP form joint team for talks with PTI on Friday
The federal government and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) have decided to hold talks with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), which governs Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), on Friday and have formed a joint delegation for the purpose.
The decision was taken at a meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari at Aiwan-e-Sadr on Thursday, according to a statement issued by the Presidency.
The two leaders reviewed the country’s overall political and security situation.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar attended the meeting. Also present were PM’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah, Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan, PM’s Adviser Dr Tauqir Shah, Senators Sherry Rehman and Saleem Mandviwalla, Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon and Sindh minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah.
Participants expressed concern over the security situation in KP. The president and the prime minister said the national resolve against terrorism must be strengthened. They stressed the need for effective cooperation among all relevant institutions for peace and stability in the country.
The meeting agreed that the joint delegation would meet the PTI leadership on Friday to discuss the political situation.
The government’s side will comprise Naqvi, Sanaullah and Amir Muqam. Sherry Rehman, Syed Naveed Qamar and Ejaz Jakhrani wi represent the PPP.
KP situation
Earlier, the prime minister briefed the president on the worsening political situation in KP, where the PTI is in power. All constitutional and legal options regarding the province were considered, and legal aspects were discussed.
The consultations will also review the PTI-led provincial government’s governance record, its disengagement from the ongoing fight against terrorism and the resulting losses.
The prime minister will take coalition partners into confidence after the meeting at Aiwan-e-Sadr.