The alliance met with Mahmood Khan Achakzai, head of the TTAP and chairman of the Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party, in the chair, according to a statement issued by the alliance spokesperson.
The meeting was attended by TTAP Vice Chairman Senator Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, BNP (Mengal) leader Sajid Tareen, TTAP Secretary General Asad Qaiser, Vice Chairman Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar and spokesperson Akhunzada Hussain Yousafzai.
During the meeting, detailed consultations were held on the successful two-day national opposition conference, the future strategy regarding observing Black Day and a strike on February 8 across Pakistan and around the world, and related matters. The prime minister’s offer for negotiations was also discussed.
Participants agreed in principle that there was an urgent need for a new national charter to pull the country out of the prevailing political and economic crisis, restore law and order and governance, and eliminate public despair.
Under the new charter, the opposition alliance expressed readiness for dialogue to ensure transparent elections in the future, the appointment of a consensus-based new election commissioner, parliamentary supremacy, rule of law, protection of human rights and the strengthening of constitutional and democratic values.
It may be recalled that while representing TTAP, Achakzai had stated on the floor of the National Assembly while responding to the Speaker’s offer for negotiations that if all political parties of Pakistan agree on the restoration of the 1973 Constitution, parliamentary and civilian supremacy, and adherence by all institutions to their constitutional limits, he would take responsibility for obtaining Imran Khan’s signature on the new charter.
The alliance also decided to form sub-committees at the provincial and district levels to ensure the success of February 8 Black Day and street mobilisation. These committees will be announced soon.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) categorically distanced itself from the so-called Grand National Dialogue initiative, stating that the party has no connection whatsoever with the self-imposed committees formed under it.
PTI Secretary Information Sheikh Waqas Akram told The Express Tribune that neither the party nor its leadership had authorised or endorsed any such forum, making it clear that the PTI was not part of the process initiated by Fawad Chaudhry and others.
He said individuals who had parted ways with the PTI were now resorting to such initiatives in an attempt to remain politically relevant. “Those who left the PTI have nowhere to go and are adopting such tactics merely to stay in the public eye,” he said.